CES Canada Art Exhibit

Kenya High Commissioner visits Orillia, Ontario

CES Canada Art Exhibit

“Orphan Kids of Kakamega”

“Children Raising Children” by Teresa Harris

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Canada HE Simon Nabukwesi travelled to Orillia August 7 to participate in an art exhibit sponsored by CES Canada.  The Kenyan delegation included his wife Evelyne and Consul Secretary Salome Kagosha.

CES Artist-in-Residence Teresa Harris displayed original pastel art images of East African children.  There were also a number of original CES file photos on display. The two-week art exhibit entitled “Orphan Kids of Kakamega” saw over 200 people visit the Custom Frameworks Gallery in Orillia.

“The purpose (of the exhibit) is to stir the viewers’ hearts and minds and move them from a place of, in some cases indifference, to a place of at least curiosity and hopefully an increased desire to search themselves and ask what they have to give,” Harris said.

“I have learned just how materialistic I am and how I so often place more importance on things and circumstances rather than people and relationships. I’ve realized how prideful, self-centered and unloving this is. I’ve realized how hard it is to change this way of being while living in our culture.”

“Maybe that’s why Africa gets into your blood and leaves you with an overwhelming desire to return,” said Harris, who has travelled to Africa four times — her most recent trip being to Kenya in March of this year.

HE Simon Nabukwesi paid special tribute to CES Canada and its role in helping to alleviate poverty and provide education for the poorest children of Kenya.  As a former educator in Western Province, he has seen the plight of needy students who cannot afford the basics for living, let alone pay for school fees and a school uniform.

“The art of Teresa Harris is magnificent, carefully capturing the character and beauty of children who constantly face adversity and hardship,” said the High Commissioner.

Sgt Rob Baskey of the Orillia OPP Detachment was on hand to welcome the High Commissioner to Orillia.

The day’s events concluded with a Simcoe North summer barbeque at Horseshoe Valley. There the Kenyan delegation met a number of CES supporters who in the words of CES President Michael Frederiksen, “continue to be the heart and soul of a humanitarian mission that since 2004 has served to reduce acute levels of poverty in Western Kenya.”

The art exhibit was in support of Community Education Services (CES) Canada.  Funds were raised to provide education for five students for an entire year.

“Into the Light of Education” – Form 1 student at St Patrick’s Ikonyero SS

Photo by Naigine Ochiel, CES Kenya Photographer

Teresa Harris (left) shares a story with Linda Butler

HE Simon Nabukwesi with CES Directors Catherine Gatere and Charles Mayenga

Sgt Rob Baskey, Orillia OPP and CES President Michael Frederiksen welcome the Kenya High Commissioner

Brian and Jill Jones (left) join friends to greet HE Simon Nabukwesi

Evelyne Nabukwesi, Susan Ogeto and Agnes Mayenga share a story

Salome Kagosha with Bruce and Renee Kerr

HE Simon Nabukwesi with Rod Morrell and Herb Cooney

Photos: Len Silvester www.ttlphoto.com  07/08/10

Image Design: Keith Butler,  Extreme Imaging  www.xtrme.com

CES Canada Responds to Water Crisis in Kenya

“Education isn’t just about math, spelling and grammar…nutrition and clean water are also key elements that help to create a successful learner.”

Though water covers our world, more than 97 percent is salty.  Two percent is locked in snow and ice leaving less than one percent for us. Life does not exist without water and for many life hangs in the balance.

It is estimated that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will live where water is scarce. Many parts of rural Kenya already have experienced the hardship of coping with unsafe drinking water that is often collected daily in yellow re-cycled plastic 4-20 litre jugs called “mitungis”.  Women and children walk for hours just to get  a small daily supply.  Only 3% of Kenyans living in rural areas have access to clean drinking water.   This is a health crisis of monumental proportions!

“Access to clean and safe drinking water should be considered a human right.”

CES Canada is committed to providing long-term access to clean water and sanitation for vulnerable communities in Western Kenya.  With proper hygiene and clean water to drink, sickness is reduced and school attendance is increased.

In March 2010 a new re-charged well was dedicated for the Eshitari SS and surrounding community.  It alone has the potential of providing drinking water for 20,000 people.  In August 2010 there will also be an official opening of a new water source at Navakholo SS.  It will provide water for students and the school community; and, will also be used for irrigation of crops farm and water for livestock.  CES Canada’s vision is to provide safe water to a school community of 15 schools impacting on 4,000 students with outreach to surrounding communities.

“When clean water becomes plentiful, all the hours previously spent hauling water can be used to attend school, to grow more food, raise more animals, or even start income-producing businesses.”

Water of Life

On July 24, 2010 CES Canada is supporting a “Water Walk” in Rosseau, Ontario to raise awareness and funds for Free the Children.  Registration is at 2pm with the “walk” to Rosseau’s Memorial Community Hall beginning at 3pm. The purpose is to fund a clean water system for Pimbiniet Primary School in Massai Mara, Kenya.  Participants are asked to bring a large jug or container that will be filled at the Lake Rosseau beach and transported up the hill to where the main event takes place.  This “water walk” simulates what many living in rural Kenya face on a daily basis.  It will also allow participants to fundraise by collecting pledges for their walk.  Other activities include a silent auction, presentation of need and a buffet dinner.

For more information contact Marci Vine at 705-734-5535 or e-mail mvine@sympatico.ca

“If the millions of women who haul water long distances had a faucet by their door, whole societies could be transformed.”

Handwashing with soap is the most effective everyday way to limit the spread of disease.  In October 2010 CES will partner with UNICEF and a number of NGO’s including Watercan, WaterAid, WHO, and Water for People to celebrate “Raising Clean Hands” for Global Handwashing Day (Oct.15).  The main goal is to take part in a world-wide initiative that promotes a culture of handwashing with soap.  Details will follow in future news reports.

“Life ends when you stop Dreaming,
Hope ends when you stop Believing,
Love ends when you stop Caring; 
and,
Friendship ends when you stop Sharing.”

CES Canada Welcomes Artist Teresa Harris

Teresa Harris

Teresa’s art is created through a strong desire to combine her love for humanity and her passion to help others to become aware of third world issues. Using an easel and pastels she vividly expresses the dichotomy of pathos and hope for the poor and needy.  Her works appeal to those whose lifestyle and worldview demands justice and freedom for all people.

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Teresa moved to Ontario in 1990 where she met and married her Canadian husband.  She attended O’More College of Art and Design in Franklin, Tennessee and later Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario.  Her story includes a journey of faith when in 1994 she became a Christian.  ”Since that time,” she states, “I have been seeking to live out the spirit of Isaiah 58* among others. Over the years I have had many opportunities to serve.  One such avenue has been through visual art.”

In 2007 Teresa traveled to Africa for the first time.  She was deeply moved and when she returned to Canada she began looking for ways to raise funds and raise awareness of the desperate needs of people she encountered.

“Using the resources available to me, I have produced several pastel paintings that reflect the love, hopes and hurts of the people in Africa that have so captured my heart.”

In the winter of 2010 Teresa travelled to Kenya to assist in an orphanage at Kisumu.  She also visited Kakamega in Western Province, seeing some of the CES Canada schools and meeting many CES sponsored students.

“I am very pleased to be involved with the work of CES Canada in Kenya.   It is my privilege and great joy to produce images that might help further this work and inspire others to get involved.  This I do to the glory of God who is most deserving.”

Teresa lives in Barrie Ontario with her husband and two sons.

“Children Raising Children”

Eleven year old girl is now parenting her younger siblings

The above work of art is available in a limited edition 18X20 inches.  Contact asante@cescan.ca for details.

The complete gallery entitled “Children of East Africa” is exhibited on the CES Canada website.