The Honourable Member of Parliament, the District Education Officer, other political leaders present, education officers, school principals, colleague teachers, parents, students, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I am honoured to have my fraternal message and greetings conveyed to you by Mr. Michael Frederiksen who is a special guest to this occasion and a very dear friend of Kenya.
It is unbelievably exciting to experience what begun as a simple idea, translated through consistent effort into a fund that is impacting positively on lives of over sixty young Kenyans in our country. All of us shall for ever be indebted to the originators of this great and worthy idea, namely: Mr.Malik Khaemba, Mr.Michael Frederiksen, Mr Charles Mayenga, Ms Jane Odeny and Ms Catherine Gatere among other compatriots. What started as a simple idea has blossomed into a splendid investment that will go a long way to shape the destiny of many young people whose hope has been renewed and future prospects enlarged. I must remind beneficiaries to be focused on priority issues in life; that is, to learn and to be developed through a process so that they become the very best that they can be. That is the only way to honour those who have sacrificed to put this fund in place and to administer it as planned.
It is important for everyone here to note that Canadian have achieved greatness through humility, determination, hard work and honest service to others regardless of gender, racial, religious and other differences. This is a nation whose people are solidly united within their vast diversity.
Michael and other CES Canada members have come out of their comfort zone to support our needy and sick so that their hope is restored. It is tiresome and unconventional but fulfilling beyond belief when the beneficiaries live to achieve the expected results. Each of the beneficiaries must demonstrate that he or she is undergoing positive transformation in all aspects.
We Kenyans in Canada appreciate the great effort and sacrifice made by CES Canada to manage the projects with great success. I have been honoured to participate in some of the CES Canada activities. Nicole Nuk and Sarah Michalowicz are courageous, gifted and enormously talented young Canadian ladies who worked with the CES family of schools around Kakamega for three months. I met them before they traveled and I could read a lot of determination from their minds. These young people are models of care, love and compassion who have created many favourable relationships between individuals and groups of people for our benefit. Our youth should draw a lot of lessons from these ambassadors of the highest order. We look forward to hearing a comprehensive report of their experiences soon.
Finally, you see the greatest friend of the youth when you look at the president and the directors of CES. As it is well known, a community which does not prioritize education has no future. Let us support education for our youth so that we strength chance for a great future. To do this, we must be united as a people and a nation.
Simon Nabukwesi
Kenya High Commissioner to Canada
