Annual General Report 2022

President’s Report to the annual General meeting of power of Education Africa Foundation

May 31, 2022

In 2022 the situation improved in Kenya as our students were able to return to school full-time. The Kenyan government’s compressed school year format will be in place until the end of 2022 to ensure students will be in the same grade as if Covid-19 had not happened.

We found that some of our student’s grades fell, but this was to be expected given the compressed school year and the expectation that students learn the same amount of material in 6 months as they had previously done in 11. The students and the teachers all suffered from being overwhelmed and overworked due to a lack of study time, the teachers’ inability to make time for any extra revision time, and less holiday/break time to recharge.  We commend our students for persevering and managing to pass exams while facing even more than their normal level of adversity.

We are eager to return to our on-the-ground work in 2023. Over the past two years when we have been unable to travel to Kenya the importance of meeting in person became more apparent. This type of contact with our students and those individuals that help us in Kenya sets us apart from other charities. The connections we make with our students, their educators and our Kenyan helpers allows us to ensure our students are able to build a future for themselves knowing they have people who care not only about their education needs, but also their well-being. It also allows us to share with our sponsors and donors at a much more personal and better-informed level than if we only administered from afar.

Since we began in 2013 we have provided a high school education for 186 deserving young students.

In 2022 we supported a total of 104 students, 54 in high school and 50 in post-secondary.

Activities in Kenya

In 2022 we were still unable to travel to Kenya and this was the second year we could not take new students in the numbers we do when we are physically there.

Our helpers in Kenya were instrumental in continuing our work and ensuring all of our student's needs were well taken care of. Even though we were unable to be physically there in 2022, we did have some students come to our attention who were desperately in need of assistance. With our Kenyan helper’s assistance with interviewing and home visits we were able to make the decision to sponsor 7 new students.

One student, in particular, stood out as very deserving of our help. Her primary graduation results were very high and she was offered a place at a national school. A national school requires much higher grades for acceptance and has high standards and a challenging curriculum. She was brought to our attention by one of our senior university students who comes from the same village and knows the daily hardship the student was enduring. The student is one of 6 children, with parents that do not have the means to send her to high school, and even less likely to a national school where the fees are even higher. She shows great promise of success in high school and will have the ability to go on and help other members of her family. We are privileged to have generous sponsors and donors who provide the means for the Foundation to assist this student, and many others in their educational endeavours. It will be exciting to watch her grow and flourish in her new school.

Two students graduated this year with an undergraduate degree in Law. They have been accepted to study for their Master’s degree (Advocate Training Program) starting in April of 2023, running for one year with a following 6 month tutelage where they must study under an approved Advocate. Achieving this degree will allow them to practice law in Kenya. Both students have sponsors that were thrilled to continue to sponsor them through this next phase of their education.

The students, Pauline and Felix both have a generous and kind outlook on life and regularly assist the Foundation with various tasks.  Both are very appreciative of the help they have received and cannot wait to be able to give back to the Foundation and their communities.

5 other students graduated in 2022 with the following degrees or diplomas. We are very proud of them as these are huge milestones in their lives. POEA students have gone on to the following degrees:

BA in History and Geography (Developmental & Policy Studies)

Certificate in Science and Laboratory Technology

Diploma in Technology, (Analytical Chemistry)

Diploma in Civil Engineering

Business Admin Diploma

In 2022 we expect to have 18 high school graduates.  We will meet with them when we travel to Kenya in 2023 and discuss their plans for the future.

Of the 28 high school graduates in 2021, 18 have gone on to begin POEA sponsored post-secondary studies in 2022.

Activities in Canada

The Foundation’s ability to continue to work within the constraints of Covid 19 restrictions was made possible by the wonderful board of directors and specialized volunteers here in Canada and the Kenyan board of directors and excellent caring helper support in place in Kenya. In Kenya they ensure school fees are paid on time, supplies are provided and any issues or concerns our students may have taken care of. We administer the program here in Canada, but without our helper’s competent assistance our students could struggle unnecessarily. We are very thankful that we have multiple ways to communicate with our helpers whether it be over the telephone, or by email, WhatsApp, or Zoom.

We continue to send our sponsors and donors regular updates on what is happening both in Kenya and here in Canada and regularly encourage our students and our sponsors to write to one another. Our students have told us how heartwarming it is to receive words of encouragement, support and news from the other side of the world.

In November 2022 we were able to hold our Festive Tea and it was great to have everyone gather in person again even as we worked to adhere to Covid-19 protocols to ensure everyone’s safety. It was lovely to see everyone in person and to be able to share our POEA news. Due to the ongoing risk of Covid-19 exposure many of our sponsors and donors must still be very careful with their health and were unable to attend. We missed being able to see them in person again.   

Board of Directors: Roles and Responsibilities

Jennifer Owen Blacklock, our Treasurer, has been with the Foundation for more than 3 years and has proven to be a valuable and much appreciated member of our Board. She continues to prepare our Annual Financial Statement and file the Annual CRA Return. She again negotiated with the Kenyan Auditor, approved his contract, discussed best practices and reviewed his audit. She continues to work with Judy Mostardi, our bookkeeper, to initiate streamlining and centralizing our Kenyan bookkeeping, accounting, reporting and auditing services. Jennifer’s knowledgeable, professional presence as a CA on our Board gives us confidence in all our financial dealings.

Syd Gallinger chairs our meetings and provides steady leadership on the Board. He guided us in putting a sound financial infrastructure in place. Five years ago he retired from his role of Treasurer but he continues to provide guidance to all of us when needed. 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 about gifts from donors. I have a great appreciation for Syd and how he continues to freely share his gifts of kindness, calm, and knowledge.

Secretary, vacant, prepares agendas and notices of meetings, records comprehensive minutes of our Board meetings, and prepares annual tax receipts. We are very thankful to Lesley Blok for taking and circulating our meeting minutes.

Lesley Blok, Director of Communications. Lesley is responsible for letters to our sponsors and donors and for responding to their questions and concerns. She assists me on much of the work, both here and in Kenya. Lesley will travel to Kenya in January 2023.

Dr. Phil Sestak 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. Phil generously spent a month working with me and our students in Kenya in February of 2020. When our students were sent home from school in March of 2020 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.

Lauren Selden, our Technology Director, continues to update our website as needed. She creates the attractive email and print invitations for our Annual Reception and Festive Tea. She has worked 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 also works with Lesley to facilitate our email newsletters. She formats the Annual Report for publication, and edits Keynote presentations for our events. Lauren brings a valuable skillset to the Foundation and for that I am very appreciative. Lauren plans to travel to Kenya with me in January of 2024.

Megan Otton is now Chair of the Hospitality Committee and she is assuming responsibility for the functions of the Hospitality Team. We are looking for someone who can take over this role as Megan has also agreed to take on the role of Director of Student Records. Megan is highly competent and easy to work with and we are fortunate to have her in this role as she was a former English instructor at Langara College, with long experience working with young adults.

Advisors, Committee Chairs and Core Volunteers

Judy Mostardi, our bookkeeper, continues to be an essential cornerstone of the Foundation. Judy is highly competent, dedicated, steady and unflappable. 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. 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 supervises our helpers and will liaise with teachers, principals, and students as required as he is their point of contact when there is an issue to be resolved.

Honorary Members

Shiella Fodchuk has been added as an Honorary Member. She resigned from our board this year. She is the Founder of POEA, our former President and a former Director of POEA. Shiella was instrumental in building the Foundation from the ground up and gathered together an amazing group of people to help further her cause of educating the most needy girls in one of the most impoverished places in Africa.  She worked tirelessly, in very challenging and in often uncomfortable physical conditions and forged relationships in Kenya that continue to support us.

Bo Fodchuk Bo is a retired lawyer and is a Co-Founder of POEA. He coined the name of the Foundation, developed our Constitution and Bylaws, obtained our registration as a Society and secured our status as a Registered Canadian Charity. He advised us on new regulations in the Societies Act. He files our Annual Report in Victoria, maintained our Minute Book, and provided legal advice.  His contribution to the Foundation is greatly appreciated.

Anne Kober retired as a Director in March 2019, 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 miss her regular presence among us and her contribution.

Anne Millar resigned from the board in 2021, but remains an Honorary Member. She held multiple roles as Director of Communications and of Student Records.  Over the years she partnered with Shiella in sharing visionary responsibilities, deliberations and decisions, in almost every sphere of our operations. Throughout the year, Anne assumed the vital work of corresponding with sponsors and donors, sending out hundreds of handwritten letters, photographs of our work in Kenya, student letters to sponsors, and tax receipts. She educated sponsors about our protocols, students, the Kenyan education system, and she expressed our gratitude to them. Anne updated our donor and sponsor lists, and our student and family contact information. She maintained our student records, which enabled her to know our students, their schools and home situations, the students’ schools, form, grades, admission numbers. She developed complete student profiles and all other necessary documents for us to take to Kenya.

Dr. Moira Chan and Dr. David Yeung We are very grateful to the Moira and David Foundation for continuing their major financial support of the Foundation. They sponsor students and have paid 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 as 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.

Future considerations

2023 marks 10 years since the Foundation began and we were finally able to travel to Kenya again. Details of our trip will be in our next (2023) annual report. It means a lot to us to share news of our work in Kenya in person and we look forward to hosting an event sometime in the near future. We have missed meeting with our sponsors and donors, many who have been on this journey since the Foundation began.

We plan to travel to Kenya again in January of 2024. The schools are now fully back to their regular school year, starting in January. We will interview and work together with our helpers to take new students. While we are there, we will visit our other students and their schools and renew our relationships with the principals and teachers who are all doing excellent work.

Please accept my gratitude for your ongoing support to Power of Education Africa Foundation as we work together with girls in Kenya. Our students are fulfilling a lifelong dream of an education and remain positive and hopeful for their future, and that of their families.

With warmest appreciation and gratitude,

Darlene Durrad

President