Christmas greetings from CES

As we near the end of another year, as Chair of CES Canada, I want to express my deep thankfulness to our donors, who continue to support the work of giving young people in Kenya a fair chance to succeed.

From my safe, comfortable home in Canada, I have trouble understanding the realities that they go through. But each time I visit our work in Kenya, I’m impressed and encouraged by meeting students we’re supporting, and our alumni who have gone on to build successful careers. I talk with principals and teachers who have seen the difference between a student who was doing poorly because of being sent home to collect school fees, and one who is fully supported by CES donors. In this issue of Harambee Report, you can meet (virtually) some of our students. I’m particularly impressed by Joshua Namisi, whose interview is published in this issue.I’d also like to express my thanks to the members of the CES Kenya team who make CES possible. Their detailed knowledge of Kenyan realities, the needs of our students, and their ability to encourage our beneficiaries, is what makes CES work.

And, thank you to the members of our CES Canada board. I feel that in 2025, we pulled together as a team. We added some new skills, though Mary and Duke, that we need to move CES to another level. Thank you for your patience, commitment and wisdom.

Carl Friesen

Chair, CES Canada

At the end of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 2025 in Toronto, one of CES’s biggest annual fundraising events. Here you see Charles Mayenga, longtime CES Canada board member (left) with Carl Friesen, Chair of CES Canada. As of November 2025, contributions for the 2025 CES team total $6,794.13.