Annual General Report 2019
President’s Report to the Annual General Meeting of Power of Education Africa Foundation
May 3, 2020
2019 was the seventh year of the Foundation’s operations. In Canada, this has been a year of collaboration and transition, as Vice President, Darlene Durrad, and I have had the pleasure of working together in preparation for her to take over the role of President of the Foundation in Canada. Succession is now delayed because of the global pandemic. Everything has changed in a matter of weeks and, like everyone else, we are waiting to see what life will be like when we can function well again. At the moment we are keeping the status quo. Sheltered at home during the crisis, Darlene has no access to the files and, therefore, cannot yet take over full responsibility for our operations here. In Kenya, however, where our students are similarly sheltered at home, as is most of the country, we have been able to implement a succession plan for our operations there.
We welcome Darlene Durrad to the role of Chairwoman of our NGO, Power of Education Kenya Foundation, which operates in Kenya. Darlene was previously in the role of Director of Kenya Operations. Now, she has taken full responsibility for the work on the ground in Kenya. I stepped down as Chairwoman at our AGM on February 10th, but continue to serve on the Board as a director.
We also welcome lawyer Jaynee Ngenge, and law student Felix Omondi Miruka onto the Board of Directors of Power of Education Kenya Foundation. Jaynee has served as our POEK lawyer in Kenya, and not only shares our ethic of educating girls, but is very knowledgable about the legal and structural aspects of the Foundation. As one of our students through both secondary school and law school, and as our student assistant on his vacations, Felix, who is a total orphan, has deep, first hand knowledge of the Foundation, and knowledge of our students and their circumstances. We are very honoured that Jaynee and Felix have agreed to serve on our Board and help to shape the future. These changes also took place at our February 10, 2020 AGM in Kenya. Jaynee and Felix will serve with Darlene, Chairwoman, Dr. Phil Sestak, CEO, Fr. Timon Ochieng Odeny, Secretary, Fr. George Ochola, Treasurer, and myself as a Director.
We welcome Forensic accountant, Jennifer Blacklock, CPA,CA,IFA,CFF, to the role of Treasurer on our Board of Directors in Canada. Jennifer joined our Canadian Board of Directors in September 2019, replacing Francis Uy who served in the role for a year, but wanted to spend more time travelling with his partner. We cannot adequately express our delight that Jennifer has joined us. Four of us on the Board have known Jennifer’s parents over the years and have affection for them. The match with Jennifer feels “hand in glove.” As we are still developing our infrastructure in Kenya, Jennifer, Syd Gallinger who is also former Treasurer, and our bookkeeper, Judy Mostardi, are focussed on streamlining and centralizing our Kenyan bookkeeping, auditing and reporting services. Oversight will be provided by Jennifer and Judy here in Canada. This is very timely, essential work as the Foundation is growing in Kenya, our financial services here and there need to be integrated.
Hospitality Chair, Lesley Blok, who travelled to Kenya to Join Darlene in the work this January, is changing her role to allow for her to partner Darlene in the work in Kenya and to become more deeply involved in other aspects of our work here in Canada. We look forward to the time when she can move about freely and take up responsibility in other areas. We welcome Co-chair, Megan Otton, who will direct the work of hospitality, which we greatly value. Our hospitality provides the opportunity to meet with our sponsors and donors, express our gratitude to them and communicate our ongoing work to them.
We had 23 new graduates in 2019. We sponsored 24 new secondary students this January, bringing our total number of secondary students to 83; our number of post-secondary students to 31; with 24 post-secondary students waiting to join college, university or polytechnic as soon as it is safe for school programs to start up again after the pandemic, hopefully in August. Since we began in 2013 we have provided an education for 161 students.
I am grateful to work with our Board of Directors in Kenya, our Board of Directors in Canada, and our specialized volunteers here, all gifted, dedicated people who are willing to bring their knowledge and skills to the joyous work of educating some of the most needy and deserving girls on the planet.
ACTIVITIES IN KENYA
In 2019, we provided a mentorship program for 35 of our students whose academic grades were low. Students from divers schools love to gather together in the supportive atmosphere where they have time to study, relax, learn new skills from each other and the 5 teachers we hire to mentor them. One of the teachers at St. John’s Minor Seminary, where the program was held, co-ordinated the mentorship program for us. This annual program is bearing good fruit as our students feel supported and confident. Our 2019 Form 4 students did quite well in their final exams. On the strength of their grades 13 of our 23 graduates will be able to go directly into university. We continue to be deeply grateful to the sponsor of this important program. Darlene and I have been hoping to go together to hold the mentorship program again in August 2020, however, it is likely that the pandemic will prevent us from traveling and gathering this year.
There was a fire at one of the provincial schools where we have 16 boarding students. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but we had to replace absolutely everything for 9 of our students whose dormitory burned.
In November we learned that Barclays Bank was moving out of Kenya and would be taken over by the South African, Absa, Bank. Our financial Advisor, Christopher Stepien of RBC Dominion, is looking into the stability of our new bank and will advise us. We again struggled with Kenyan bureaucracy this year; as our application to the NGO Board for authorization for Darlene to become a signatory on our bank accounts was lost by the NGO Board. The process of obtaining the official certificate of approval took a year.
We have changed our legal year end of Power of Education Kenya Foundation from September 30 to December 31. This change will allow us to hold our AGM when Darlene is in Kenya, and will allow us to prepare our annual financial statement, Annual NGO Report, and Kenya Revenue Agency Annual Return all in good time.
This January, Darlene travelled to Kenya for the third time, in a new role, taking full responsibility for the work in Kenya. Lesley Blok travelled and worked with Darlene for the month of January. Dr. Philip Sestak assisted Darlene in February. For seven weeks Darlene and Lesley, and then Darlene and Phil, engaged in every aspect of the work. Lesley and Phil were indispensable.They managed all cash expenditures and bookkeeping, joined Darlene in interviewing or meeting with students and their families, and they helped with shopping for new students and old. They formed a good team. Darlene reported that she was able to do everything needed because the infrastructure of our foundation had been laid, and she also felt safe. Our driver, Kevin, contributed to her sense of safety as they travelled the bumpy, dusty, or muddy, roads to new interview locations.
Darlene, Lesley, our assistant, Alice, and two graduate students, interviewed 100 students and their guardians in two locations for potential sponsorship. The number was greater than they anticipated because we mistakenly scheduled the interviews before the school year started. Therefore, the needy and not so needy came to apply for sponsorship. The team felt overwhelmed by the numbers and the complaints of some families who worried that others were taking advantage. When the interviews were complete, they short-listed 30 students, made home visits to verify the families’ circumstances, and negotiated with school principals to accept our selected students. They purchased school, and personal supplies for new and existing students, for our office and home base.
They accepted a deaf mute student again this year. She will attend a good school for the deaf in a town where some townsfolk speak sign language. They also accepted a 19 year old student who is married with 2 children, but is motivated to complete secondary school. Darlene had good meetings with most school principals, teachers and staff, and felt that two principals especially really care about our students. She also had a difficult meeting with a principal who argued for the practice of caning —a practice that stubbornly persists even though it is against the law. Darlene made clear the law and our expectations for the schools’ teaching standards and non-violent care of our students. We have also notified our students that they are to report any mistreatment of them immediately to our helper and to us. Darlene was fully immersed in the cultural traditions and practices of Kenya.
Our team made a physical move from our former housing compound to a more convenient and secure location. In February 2019 Darlene and I had tried out a new home base because the former one, with Fr. Timon, although very welcoming, was now too small for us, and required more daily driving and domestic work than we had time for, with an increased student load. This year, Darlene and Lesley made the new location the Foundation’s home base, as it is in a central, secure and beautiful setting with a 24 hour guard. While they felt settled in this comfortable setting with Fr. George, our gracious and steady Treasurer, as their host, they were in for a shock when they learned that Fr. George was being transferred to a new parish in another county. Darlene is left wondering if the home base will still be as ideal with a new rector as host, or whether Fr. George’s move will necessitate another one for her, where he will again be available to engage in the increased activities of Treasurer that take place during the period our team is in Kenya. She will look closely at her options, as any move affects their safety and security. There is another factor in her consideration: She and I have both had the sense that our work in one or two of the areas in which we have focussed assistance may have reached a saturation point, with some of the local people having a sense of entitlement and trying to take ownership and advantage of the Foundation. This dynamic can threaten our safety in an area, and it will be a significant factor in Darlene’s considerations of whether to move to another area that also needs help in educating their girls.
Darlene took up her authority in her roles as leader and administrator. She held her first AGM in Kenya where she was voted in as Chairwoman and oriented our two new board members to their work. She was plunged into the frustrations of Kenyan bureaucracy: it came as a shock to learn that, after a year waiting to become a signatory on our bank accounts, as a Canadian signatory, a new regulation stipulated that she would have to obtain a work permit, at a cost of $5,000. We were skeptical. Fortunately, Darlene found a temporary way around the requirement until we can determine the legal requirements. Darlene, Anne MiIlar and I have since met with the Kenyan High Commissioner who has promised his assistance.
Working together in February, Darlene and Phil interviewed an accountant to do our annual audits. They were impressed by him; and we have since hired Mr. Richard Omaru of the firm Owenga & Associates to provide all of our Kenyan accounting and reporting services. Darlene and Phil met with our Kenyan assistant, Alice, listening to her struggles, encouraging her to improve her work habits and communication. We have been thinking about the division of responsibilities between Fr. George and Alice. We recently redesigned Alice’s work. Fr. George will assume all responsibility for handling money and for expenditures. Darlene tried out someone new to help with administration, but the individual was not right for the job.
Darlene and Phil met with 22 of our 23, 2019 graduates to help them think through their future post secondary programs and take the steps they need to take in order to apply for entrance into university, college or polytechnic. Before she left Kenya, Darlene purchased 6 computers for graduates who will need them when they attend post secondary programs.
Darlene managed the enormously hard work in January and February with practical common sense, respectful communication with others, and above all good humour. She called me a number of times to discuss concerns over a student, or a bureaucratic stumbling block, or a meeting with school officials. I was always relieved when I heard the laughter in her voice. She took it all in stride, one of her many strengths.
ACTIVITIES IN CANADA
The Board of Directors was clear about our priorities this year, to accept as many secondary students as possible and to give equal priority to supporting our graduates in their post-secondary education, which will ensure their financial security going forward. We were also resolved to provide them with the housing, food, academic and personal supplies, and the support they need to succeed and to relieve their survival anxiety so that they feel secure.
We continue to want carefully staged development of our infrastructure to allow the kind of sustainable growth that is consistent with caring for each student as an individual and caring for our donors in the same way.
In the Fall, our Director of Technology, Lauren Selden, and I did a presentation of the Foundation’s work at Crofton Manor. The participants appreciated the global importance of educating girls. Four residents attended our November 30th Festive Tea.
Our Student Support Group, comprised of Megan Otton, Dr. Lorna Bennett, Darlene and myself met twice in the Fall. This support group will be much needed going forward as we will need to address student issues when they return to school under what are likely to be chaotic circumstances following the pandemic.
In November, Lesley Blok and Linda Robertson hosted a wine and cheese party for about 30 women who showed interest in the work of the Foundation.
We held our annual Pre-Christmas Festive Tea at St. Mary’s Anglican Church at the end of November. Under the fine leadership of our Hospitality Co-chairs, Lesley Blok and Megan Otton, our guests received a warm welcome, an afternoon of delicious food and tea, and from all Board members, our deepest gratitude for our donors’ support of the Foundation’s work. A special thanks to Martha Lou Henley who donated home baking.
We received three significant and very much appreciated gifts of Aeroplan Points from sponsors, Alistair MacKay, Martha Lou Henley, and Marion Allan. These welcome gifts will greatly reduce the cost of travel to Kenya for some time.
In Canada we are focussed on securing more volunteer services: we are looking for a practicing lawyer with corporate legal experience. This is a board position. These services cannot be provided by the three retired lawyers who have served, or still serve, our board. We are also hoping to find a volunteer who will help with administration and someone to eventually assume responsibility for correspondence.
It is with regret that we accept the resignation of Anne Kober for health reasons. Together with Bo Fodchuk, Anne wrote our Foundations’ Constitutions, both in Canada and in Kenya. She negotiated our process of registration as an NGO in Kenya. She provided essential legal and business advice to us from our inception. She supported me in thinking through every major step in the building of our infrastructure. She provided a significant fund that we have needed, not only to help with year to year sponsorships, which the Foundation provides over and above what we receive from sponsors, but, which we have also intended to use if we had an economic downturn during which sponsors could not fulfil their obligation to students. I am forever grateful to Anne for her guidance, brilliance, wisdom and foresight. Anne will serve as Honorary Director.
In February, Anne Millar and I met with the Anglican Archbishop, The Most Reverend Melissa Skelton, to request her assistance in obtaining office space for us, free of charge, in one of the local churches, or even the Synod office. As we reorganize, implement our succession plan, and spread the work so that others take on more responsibility, it is best to move our office out of my home into neutral space where committees and board members can gather and work together. The Archbishop has promised her help. We expect this to take time as she is more than occupied as she adapts all Church functions to the pandemic.
In March, Darlene Durrad, Anne Millar and I met with the Kenyan High Commissioner from Ottawa, John Lanyasunya, and the Counsellor, Isaiah Koech, in Vancouver. We discussed numerous issues with them: the new regulation requiring Canadian bank signatories to obtain a $5,000 work permit; his recommendation of a stable Kenyan bank; Visa requirements for Foundation representatives travelling to Kenya. He promised to issue an official letter for the Foundation that will resolve concerns over Visas. He will also look into who and what is driving the new requirement for a work permit, and whether it can be waived. The High Commissioner expressed his willingness to speak at an Annual Reception. We are looking forward to arranging his visit when possible.
We are currently holding Directors’ Meetings through Zoom thanks to Lauren Selden who is also assisting in our new practice of emailing correspondence to all of our donors and sponsors in order for us to shelter at home as much as possible.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Vice President, Darlene Durrad, is to become President as soon as she is able to assume the authority and responsibility that she is unable to assume at the moment because of the pandemic shelter in place order. In February Darlene was voted in as Chairwoman of our NGO in Kenya, assuming full responsibility for the work in Kenya, as she did in January and February this year. She has assumed more communication with our Kenyan Board of Directors, with bankers, Kenyan school officials, our students and helpers. This year Darlene matched new sponsors with their students. She will communicate with the Kenyan High Commissioner in Canada whose advocacy we need. She will take the lead in re-visioning how the Foundation might grow over the next five years; and she will shepherd it into the future.
Treasurer, Jennifer Blacklock, has co-ordinated with Syd Gallinger and Judy Mostardi to learn our ways of bookkeeping, preparing financial statements and tax returns. She prepared our Annual Financial Statement and filed the Annual CRA Return. She reviewed the Financial Statement for our Kenyan NGO and made suggestions for improvements. She has negotiated with the Kenyan Auditor, approved his contract, discussed best practices and reviewed the audit. She has worked with Syd and Judy to initiate streamlining and centralizing our Kenyan bookkeeping, accounting, reporting and auditing services. Jennifer’s knowledgable, professional presence on our Board cannot be overstated.
Syd Gallinger chairs our meetings and provides steady leadership on the Board. He guided us in putting a sound financial infrastructure in place. Two years ago he retired from his role of Treasurer. However, this past year, he has been available to orient our new Treasurer, Jennifer Blacklock, to her role. He provided assistance in the preparation this year’s Annual CRA Return. He collaborated with Jennifer in planning to streamline our accounting and reporting services in Kenya and hiring the accounting firm to take on this work. Syd has continued to provide information to donors and sponsors, so that they are fully informed about the Foundation’s use of their financial gifts. He set up our RBC account to receive and facilitate gifts of securities. He welcomes inquiries and gifts from donors. I am more grateful than I can ever express for his gifts and his dedication.
Secretary, Shaaron Fedora, prepares agendas and notices of meetings, records comprehensive minutes of our Board meetings, and prepares annual tax receipts. She has also made an invaluable contribution by supervising and reconciling the work hours and monthly expenditures of Alice, our Kenyan helper, during the months that we are not in Kenya. Now that responsibility for expenditures falls to Fr. George, our Treasurer, Shaaron will check his monthly reports, receipts, reconciling expenditures to bank statements, and she will continue to prepare monthly reconciliation reports, a great help to our bookkeeper, Judy.
Lesley Blok. Lesley joined Darlene in the work in Kenya for the month of January. Lesley was responsible for many of the lovely photographs you see in this report. She expressed her love of the country and our students, even though the work was gruelling and the long days exhausting. She plans to go for the full 6-7 weeks next year and to assume more responsibility in Canada. As Chair of Hospitality, Lesley will continue to report to the Board, while Co-chair, Megan Otton will take over Hospitality events. Lesley has co-designed and delivered e-invitations for Foundation events. She co-ordinated the Hospitality Team in planning, advertising and implementing our Annual Reception in May at Christ Church Cathedral, and the Festive Tea in November at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Kerrisdale.She also hosted a wine and Cheese event for 30 women in her home. In March, Lesley contributed to matching some sponsors with their students.
Anne Kober retired as a Director in March, but remains an Honorary Member. Over six years, Anne helped us to set up the Foundation as a registered charity. She provided wise, legal and practical advice to the Board. She successfully guided us through the several phases of NGO registration, banking signatory protocols, and the composition of the Board of Directors in Kenya. Anne worked to protect our interests while achieving a balance of Kenyan and Canadian representation. We will miss her regular presence among us and her contribution.
Anne Millar. As I reflect upon Anne’s many contributions, perhaps most important for me, over the years that I have been President, is that Anne has partnered me in sharing visionary responsibilities, deliberations and decisions, in almost every sphere of our operations. No one has been more dedicated to our Foundation or to me. I could not have done my work without her. Throughout the year, Anne has assumed the vital work of corresponding with sponsors and donors, sending out hundreds of hand written letters, photographs of our work in Kenya, student letters to sponsors, and tax receipts. She educates sponsors about our protocols, students, the Kenyan education system, and she expresses our gratitude to them. Anne updates our donor and sponsor lists, and our student and family contact information. She maintains our student records, which enables her to know our students, their schools and home situations, the students’ schools, form, grades, admission numbers. She develops complete student profiles and all other necessary documents for us to take to Kenya. She directs our assistant Alice in her collection of reports and letters for their sponsors. I am most grateful for Anne’s dedication, her consistency and her hard work, day in and day out, over the years.
Dr. Phil Sestak. Phil is the CEO of our operations in Kenya, sitting ex-officio on the Kenyan Board of Directors, as well as being a Director on the Board in Canada. Phil has the authority at our Kenyan bank and with the schools to run the operation in Kenya, if needed. With many years of experience working as a volunteer HIV/AIDS physician in Africa, Phil brings extensive knowledge to both Boards of Directors. This February, Phil sacrificed himself travelling to Kenya to assist Darlene when Lesley returned to Canada. When our students were sent home in March from school because of the pandemic, Phil wrote an information letter to guide them in keeping themselves safe and healthy. Phil’s long experience in Kenya and his cultural sensitivity are invaluable gifts he brings to the Foundation.
Linda Robertson has this past year begun helping Anne Millar with the work of corresponding with donors. She is also taking on the work of preparing our Annual Report to the BC Registry. While Linda has worked to develop polices and practices for us, this will be ongoing work, as Darlene makes improvements to our practices in Kenya. Linda also volunteered with the Hospitality Committee again this past year.
Lauren Selden, our Director of Technology, is undertaking an update of our website. She creates the attractive email and print invitations for our Annual Reception and Festive Tea. She works with Anne Millar to produce the beautiful, visual update that goes out to our sponsors and donors of the work going on in Kenya in January. She has been working with Lesley to facilitate our mass email communications. She formats the Annual Report for publication, and edits Keynote presentations for our events. She manages the Foundation’s social media profile. She is now arranging our board meetings on Zoom. I am grateful for the diverse gifts that Lauren brings to the Foundation.
Dr. David Yeung, Honorary Board Member, and Dr. Moira Chan. We are very grateful to the Moira and David Foundation for continuing their major financial support of the Foundation. They sponsor students, and pay for the installation of solar lamps in the homes of our day scholars. Their donations also subsidize our graduate students in their post-secondary education; not every sponsor is willing or able to continue carrying the sometimes considerable cost of their student’s post-secondary tuition and room and board. Moira initiated the development of a database for us.
ADVISORS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND CORE VOLUNTEERS
Our bookkeeper, Judy Mostardi. Judy’s work continues to be an essential cornerstone of the Foundation. Judy is highly competent, dedicated, steady and good natured. She reconciles our expenditures in Canada. She is working with Jennifer and Syd in streamlining and centralizing our bookkeeping services in Kenya, for which she will provide oversight. She calculates conversion rates and keeps our financial records in two currencies. Judy drafts record-keeping forms and codes for our daily use in Kenya. Judy prepares semi-annual financial statements. She meets with the team that returns from Kenya, scrutinizing every expenditure.
Fr. Timon Ochieng Odeny acts as Secretary on the Foundation’s Board of Directors in Kenya. As he is now studying in Austria his availability is limited. But he was in Kenya in January and February and was able to assist with a student interview day, and able to attend the AGM. At home or abroad, Fr. Timon makes himself available to advise and consult with us about students, schools and our own practices.
Fr. George Ochola, Rector of Ringa Parish, Homa Bay, and former Rector and Principal of St. John’s Minor Seminary, is Treasurer of the Board of Directors in Kenya. A very good administrator, Fr. George is responsible for our Kenyan expenditures when we are not in Kenya. He is engaged in budgeting, writing cheques (with other signatories), sending funds to students, and recording expenditures monthly. He worked with our helper, Alice, to run the 2019 Easter mentorship program. He liaised with teachers, support staff, and me, so that the program went smoothly.
Megan Otton is Co-Chair of the Hospitality Committee and she is now assuming responsibility for the functions of the Hospitality Team. She will organize our annual events. Megan is highly competent and easy to work with. We are fortunate to have her in this role. As a former English instructor at Langara College, with a wealth of experience in working with young adults, Megan is also just the right person to be on the Student Support Committee. We are grateful that Megan is willing to put her energy and diverse talents in service to the Foundation.
Lorna Bennett, psychologist, brings a wealth of experience in working with adolescents to the Student Support Committee, which met twice in the Fall. Lorna is the winner of the David Kendal Master Teacher award for excellence in teaching exceptional children. She is experienced in the diagnosis of learning disabilities, and has worked extensively with students who have suffered trauma and loss.
Hilary Blok has helped us with the mass mailing of our semi-annual invitations.
Heather Edgar is a member of the Hospitality Committee. Heather’s open, gracious personality makes her an asset in the preparation and service of food to our guests. She has also obtained the Serve it Right license.
We thank Bo Fodchuk, retired lawyer, for his legal advice and the practical work of filing our Annual Reports in Victoria, and keeping our Minute Book up to date. Bo is now turning this work over to Linda Robertson. We are grateful for Bo’s expertise, time, and painstaking work.
We thank Molly Jonsson and Ginger Shaw for their ongoing contributions to the Hospitality Committee on the welcome table. Molly and Ginger welcome every guest to our Annual Reception May and our Annual Festive Tea in November. Nothing is more important than to recognize those who come out and support us.
We thank Shelley Stanhope and Maria Meakin for their ongoing contribution to the Hospitality Committee, and especially for their warm, quiet and friendly way with guests at our events.
Thank you to Martha Lou Henley for her donation of delicious, home-made desserts for our Festive Teas and our Annual Receptions each year.
A special thank you to Christ Church Cathedral and the Very Reverend Peter Elliott, for generously making the Hall and staff available for our Annual Reception in May, and for working with our committee on visioning. Thank you to St. Mary’s Kerrisdale, for generously making a room available for our November Festive Tea.
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
It is difficult to consider our future when our students are all out of school sheltered at home, and we are in a period of unknowing. It is heartening that the Kenyan government took the pandemic so seriously that they essentially closed down the country. We are doing all we can to encourage our students to keep safe and to follow the guidelines for self care that Dr. Sestak has provided them. We are ready to provide help to any who need food and other necessities while out of school, as we know that the cost of food in Kenya is now very high.
One of our top graduates, first year nursing student, Elizabeth, remains in her university housing in order to work on the hospital ward when needed. We are, of course, worried for her safety as she is so vulnerable.
With our economy paralyzed and the prospect of a world economic downturn we do not know if all of our sponsors will be able to continue their level of support for their students; as we remain hopeful, we also brace ourselves. We may need to consider such measures as putting no more girls into post-secondary institutions, or taking no new students for 2021.
We do not know whether it will be safe to travel to Kenya again at the end of the year; and we will have to remain adaptable and flexible in order to meet the needs of our students in whatever ways possible. I hear from several students a week, each one afraid for our health and afraid that their education will be threatened if Darlene or I fall ill. I assure them that we will not let them down. We expect things in Kenya to be a mess for a time when our students return to school, but it will be little different from anywhere else in the world, and we are committed to them.
This is my last Annual Report as President. The next one will be from Darlene Durrad who will move into the position of President as soon as it is possible. It has been my honour to serve the Foundation and our students in this capacity, and I shall also be glad to serve our new President as a member of the Board of Directors.
In deepest gratitude,
Shiella Fodchuk