Francois Family & Senator Jaffer & SAGE Founders
I take this opportunity to thank you all sincerely for the support provided and attendance on January 28, 2011for the SAGE Foundation Achievement Awards Event.
There was an excellent turnout with approximately 70 people in the Waterford Room at the Hotel Hilton Metrotown. Senator Yonah Martin and Senator Mobina Jaffer both attended and each gave a spontaneous speech highlighted with genuine regards sent from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Members of Caucus. All who were present that evening at the Awards Event jointly presented by SAGE Foundation and The Afro News (TAN), were deeply grateful for the support and encouragement evidenced by both these Honourable Senators.
We were immensely pleased to bestow Achievement Award Certificates to these recipients:
Michelle Lee Williams, Founder and former owner/editor of The Afro News newspaper, received The Afro News Community Lifetime Achievement & Legacy Award. Birgit Okoth whose husband Micheal Okoth accepted her posthumous recognition in the form of “Abantu Trust Fund” that will be given each year to a worthy candidate pursuing a career in hair styling. Helena Kaufman – The Afro News Writer of the Year Award 2010 received a Certificate in recognition of her many contributions of written articles.
The four members of the delightful François Family (Joseph and his wife Sumie were awarded “The Afro News Community Leadership Award 2010” and both son Alex and daughter Sumie “The Sage Foundation Scholarship Excellence Award 2010”) each received Certificates in recognition of the outstanding example and achievements they represent. Mom and Dad shine as examples of parenting that raised two exceptional children, while each child has attained amazing world-class levels as Canada’s No. 1 Junior Golfing Champions over three consecutive years. Both received SAGE Foundation Scholarship Funding toward their future education. A movie about the François Family shown during the evening’s events says it all beautifully. We expect this movie will soon be available and seen by many people for the inspiration it provides.
In all, the evening was a tremendous success! Support and contributions made by the community and by individual members through their hard work, encouragement and financial backing helped make this dream a reality. We are inspired to keep moving forward and know that all endeavours and current awards by the SAGE Foundation will act as inspiration to our young people to actively engage in the pursuit of their own goals and achievements. www.sagefoundation.net
Yours faithfully
Honore Gbedze
Founder
Founder
