The United Nations’ International Mandela Day is celebrated on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18th. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was only the second person to be given honourary Canadian citizenship. Given to “foreigners of exceptional merit”, this honour was voted unanimously in 2001 by both Houses of Parliament, in recognition of Mandela’s dedication to the idea that each individual can change the world. For a third year, local educational charity KEEF – the Kenya Education Endowment Fund (www.kenyaeducation.org) – will celebrate Mandela Day and the importance of Mandela’s ideas, strength, and courage inspiring many to work toward change and peace in our world. (See more news on Facebook – Kenya Education Endowment Fund)
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, Mandela declared. You are invited to consider a gift, in celebration of Mandela Day, to assist youth in Kenya – one of many developing countries where COVID 19 has very seriously disrupted education services over the last 18 months. KEEF can provide solar lamps, to assist students living in villages not on the electrical grid to study in the evening ($50/each), scientific calculators for Forms 3 and 4 (grades 11 and 12) students, ($20 each) or loan bikes for day scholars with long journeys to the nearest secondary school ($200 or $100 to refurbish a bike returned after graduation.) Donation receipts are tax-deductible and 100% of the gift is used for students’ needs. (KEEF’s operational expenses are raised separately.) Smaller donations are combined to fund the more expensive items described above. Please mark your donation “Mandela Day 2021”. Make E-transfers to keefcan2010@gmail.com ; send cheques to KEEF c/o M. Klesner, #904 – 2135 Argyle Ave. West Vancouver BC V7V 1A5; or view on-line donation options at www.kenyaeducation.org.
For additional information about BC-based educational charity KEEF’s work, contact shelaghag@shaw.ca or 604-415-9397. Thank you!/Asante Sana! for considering celebrating Nelson Mandela, honourary Canadian Citizen, by supporting education for African youth.
