CES Students Excel in Life

“The Sky is not a limit you can go beyond”

Benjamin Otido Wafula

Bejamin is our first CES Graduate – 2006.  Admitted to Tambach Teacher Training Institute he graduated in 2009.  He is now teaching at Elufafwa NFE School in Kakamega through ACCES Canada.

Benjamin Wafula (2006 graduate Makhukuni SS) on left with

James Wasike (2008 graduate Namundera SS)

120 Kenyan students find new beginnings in 2011

On January 3 the school year began with 42 new students attending secondary school for the first time.  Sponsored by CES Canada they took the place of 23 youth who graduated in 2010…now there are 120 bright young people who begin Term 1 in the 2011 school year.  All have been orphaned and affected by the HIV/Aids pandemic.

Mary Kandia and Linnet Wawire

Notes by Edwin Balovera Ongacho

Mary Kandia – Namundera SS

CES 2009 Graduate and presently assistant teacher and CES Kenya mentor

Mary is a total orphan. She received sponsorship from CES for all her years in secondary education at Namundera Mixed Secondary School. She sat for KCSE in 2009 and achieved a B grade that provided her access to a Kenyan university. Currently, she is a volunteer teacher at Namundera SS. She is a wonderful role model to the students, especialy those who are on the CES program.  In fact, she spends a lot of her time with them. She says that were it not for CES, she would not have made it to that level. She emits rays of hope at all times.

Linnet Wawire - Form 3 Namundera SS

Linnet Wawire is a new addition to the CES sponsored students in 2011. She replaced Nabali Salima who completed her secondary education in 2010. Linnet is a total orphan. She is now in form three. She stood out at position 5 and was best girl in her class last year. She is the school’s Assistant Head student.

Linnet says:

”My name is Linnet Wawire. I am in form three at Namundera Mixed Secondary School. I am a total orphan. Both my mother and father died when I was still in primary school. My father died in 2000 and my mother followed her in 2004. We are seven live children in our family. Each of my siblings is under the delicate care of a different guardian. In fact, our guardians keep on changing from time to time. I am the only elder girl in the family who has made it into secondary school. All through my studies I have been having fee problems. In fact, my elder sister and a brother dropped out of school due to lack of fees.  Presently I am living with my aunt who has a young expanding family of eight to take care of.

I did my KCPE in 2008 and scored 328 marks out of the possible total of 500. I joined Form one at Namundera Mixed Secondary School in 2009. After missing the CES sponsorship due to my poor performance in exams, I was promised that I could be considered for the same in future if I improved. I tried my best and I improved from position 11 to position 5. The teachers kept their promise and I was happy when I was finally informed that I was now part of the program. Indeed, I was happy when I received the application form from Madam Mary Kandia in front of the other teachers.

I thank all those who have put aside whatever little they have to help me get education through this CES initiative. I promise to work harder than before such that I can also be in a position to help others in future.”

CES Thanks Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

On January 6, 2011 CES Canada President Michael Frederiksen met with senior administrators of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.  The meeting was to acknowledge the immense contribution made by DPCDSB students in providing funds and letters of encouragement to our students.   A letter of thanks from the Catholic Bishop of Kakamega was delivered along with greetings from the CES Kenya Board of Directors.

In 2008, students at Holy Name of Mary School heard about the Orphan Kids of Kakamega and responded with their “Wrapped in Red Campaign”.  Hundreds of personalized messages of love and care were sent to Kenya.  In addition, 25 students received scholarships to register in one of four CES sponsored catholic secondary schools.  DPCDSB summer school students were similarly motivated to raise an incredible $19,000 over the summers of 2009 and 2010 to allow 40 catholic youth to attend school.

The common element and catalyst for these acts of kindness is Ann McGee, Principal of Adult and Continuing Education.  Ann’s leadership and team building have provided her staff and students with a global perspective that seeks to transform the lives of others in need.  It is with deep appreciation that CES Canada commends Ann and her colleagues and students who have made such an incredible difference to our Kenyan students.

Funds from Dufferin-Peel students support 10 students at each of St. Patrick Bukhakunga SS,     St. Patrick Ikonyero SS, St. Mary’s Gorreti Shikoti SS for Girls and St. Caroli Lwanga Lutasa SS.  As a result in 2011 forty (40) catholic students will receive full tuition, a meal each day, health care, school uniform, school supplies and an anti-malaria mosquito net.

Michael Frederiksen presents a photo of a Form 2 science classroom to Principal of Continuing and Adult Education Ann McGee.  Director of Education John Kostoff, Marianne Mazzorato
Superintendent of Program/Adult & Continuing and Ralph Borrelli, Associate Director, Instructional Services joined Ann for this event at the DPCRSB Education Centre.

CES Students to Receive Mail via Dogsled

CES Canada Event – 27^th annual Muskoka Dog Sled Mail Run

February 19, 2009  Parry Sound/Muskoka Chapter of CES Canada is raising awareness and funding for our students in Kenya. Volunteers are planning a pancake breakfast with proceeds going to the Orphan Kids of Kakamega.

12-15 dog sled teams leave Humphrey for the 20 km run through forest, across frozen lakes and swamps arriving in Rosseau.  This simulates the tradition of mail carriers in bygone days when the dog sled was the only means of transportation of goods and services in the winter.

Each of our 120 CES sponsored students will receive a letter of hope and encouragement that is taken by dog sled to the post office in Rosseau.  From there the letters are stamped, cancelled and mailed directly to CES Kenya.  The letters will be delivered personally to each school principal and handed to the students in a brief joyous ceremony.  There is a special cover on the “sledvelopes” with graphics of husky dogs and sleds and a covering letter on the inside explaining this unique Canadian phenomenon.

Create a letter that brings a greeting from you and/or extended family to a student.  CES will address your letter (1 page only)  to a student. Add some stickies/graphics.  Offer your best wishes for the coming year and for success in their studies.  Let them know that you are thinking of them and that you care.  This may also be an educational opportunity for your children to get involved.  Our students are at the high school level and range in age from 13 to 18 years of age.  Send letters via e-mail attachment to: asante@cescan.ca or mail to CES Canada, Harambee Way, 8 Pine Lane RR#1 Barrie, ON  L4M4Y8.

Invitation:

Saturday, February 19, 2011   Join the CES Parry Sound/Muskoka chapter for the pancake breakfast and the wild scenes surrounding the most beautiful huskies you have ever seen.  Make it a family event…you can even try a dogsled ride in Rosseau  Stay for lunch and enjoy a beautiful Muskoka winter day.   This scene takes place a good 3 hours drive from Toronto.  You’ll need an early start or a Friday night’s accommodation in the Muskoka area.

Pancake Breakfast 8-10 am upstairs at the Humphrey Arena (on Hwy 141  15 km west of Rosseau and east of Hwy400 N) Cost is $5 adult and $2.50 children   Opening Ceremonies 10 am at the arena parking lot   Mail Dog Sled Run at 10:30 am   Lunch at Rosseau Memorial Hall at noon with rides and photo ops and lots of fun in the early afternoon.

Life ends when you stop Dreaming,

Hope ends when you stop Believing,

Love ends when you stop Caring,

Friendship ends when you stop Sharing.