Thank you to all of the members and supporters of CanAssist. Thank you for the work that you do to support infrastructure projects in Africa. Without you this trip would not have happened.
Thank you Kingston Impact for the donation of basketball uniforms. This crazy muzungu was able to take the uniforms and some basketballs to rural regions of Kenya and Uganda. I am convinced that one of these schools had never experienced basketball before. Together, we brought basketball to Busagazi!
Thank you Andre Labrie for the kind donation of a laptop computer for the Headmaster of the S.P. Geddes school in Kenya. He was very, very appreciative.
Thank you Truedell Public School Community for your unwavering support for my African projects. This is not the first time that I have come to you for help and it probably won't be the last. Each time I ask, you open your hearts and wallets and you make a difference in the lives of others. Your donations bought much needed school supplies, including textbooks, chalk, pencils, notebooks, paper and basketballs. Students and staff at three schools will benefit from your generosity.
Thank you Ms. McLeod and your fabulous grade 6/7 class for your leadership in the "2 Weeks 4 Change" Fundraiser. Together we filled many buckets!
Thank you to Mukhtar, Dan, Njoro and Joseph for escorting us safely throughout Kenya and Uganda. This work came at a sacrifice for you, taking you away from loved ones and families. We appreciate your work, care and kindness very much!
Thank you to all of the African community members who welcomed us with open arms. Their names are too numerous to mention here but your kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.
Thank you ETFO Limestone Local for your generous donation of $500. This money was combined with money from OTF and another organization to create a pool of cash used to purchase much needed school resources for 10 schools in rural areas of Kenya and Uganda.
Thank you ETFO Humanity Fund for your past support to two important projects visited on this trip: Kanyala Little Stars and Busagazi Primary School.
Thank you Cathy Carson and your team at Lancaster Public School for the donation of footwear and uniforms. I can tell you that these were gratefully received by several individuals in Africa and will be well used.
Thank you to all who donated hockey bags such that our donated items could get there safely.
Thank you John for using your phone to contact Father Emmanuel and coordinating my return to the Kasana region. I was able to take school supplies to three schools because of your help.
Thank you Father Emmanuel for giving your time so freely to pick me up and transport me to some great places from my 2012 trip.
Thank you Gail Fones, for initially contacting Father on my behalf.
Thank you Safari 2016 participants for your kindness. I laughed more in the past three weeks then I think I have in the past three years. Thanks for being so flexible and resilient. I wish you all the best and hope our paths cross again soon!
Thank you Mom and Dad, for inspiring in me the love of learning and the desire for adventure. Years of reading National Geographic and watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom have impacted me to this day. Teaching me the value of education made it possible for me to travel and do the things I choose to do! My good fortune came at considerable sacrifice on both of your parts and I am forever grateful!
Thank you Pat and Adrian for making my life so meaningful and for always encouraging me to do what I want. I am stronger each day because of you!
This final thank you is for the two individuals who planned out trip and who never stopped working while on the trip. John and Gabriella, this wonderful adventure would not have happened without you. Here is the poem that I read to you on our last night. Thank you!
T’was
the First Day of our Safari!
T’was the first
day of our safari and we cracked open our cases.
Reached
for sunscreen and Deet and supplies for great places.
We tossed
off our fleece and let down our hair,
As we felt
the first heat and warm breeze in the air.
That first
night we tossed nervously all snug in their beds,
While
visions of Africa danced in our heads.
Many miles
we had come by bus, plane and truck.
Our
journey here was complete, it seemed we had luck!
When out
in the parking lot there arose such a clatter,
I ran with
my binoculars to see what was the matter.
Away to
the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open
the blinds and threw up the sash.
The sun on
the rise of this beautiful first day
Made me for
eager for warmth in the African way.
When, what
to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a huge
Bunduz truck, no longer in gear.
With a
principled leader, sporting a beard white, not long,
We knew in
a moment it must be our John.
Behind him,
quite nervous, his friends they all came,
As he
whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now
Evelyn, now, Hugh!
now, Jean,
Neil and son James!
On, Maddy!
On Bob, Lynne and Jenn!
Judith,
Mike, Dan, Kathy, Kim, Janice and Sue,
Mukhtar,
Joseph, Njoro, Molly, Mark, Stefan and old Mrs. Grew!
He called
to us come, we must go, it is time.
His
theatre voice kept us towing the line.
With
stomachs in jitters, we checked out the one now in lead,
The
Director, the mentor, the one we would heed.
At his
side was our Gabby, her face it was pleasant.
A great leader
is nice but two is a wonderful present!
And then,
in a twinkling their planning began to unfold,
As we
visited many great places too numerous to be told.
Each
school we visited, children gathered as a group,
To the welcome
the Muzungus with a dance, cheer and whoop.
John and
Gabby planned all our days, told us all what to do,
Answered
all of our questions, which was more than a few!
A bundle
of stories, John had nothing to lack,
And Poor
Gabby looked like a peddler, just opening her pack.
Unloading
mints, gums and wipes, she kept all of us clean,
With her help
we kept well, except for our poor Jean!
John spoke
about rules, how they would keep us all safe,
“Avoid
political rallies”, he said and you’ll find Africa is a great place.
They told
us of all the great adventures that they had both planned
Throughout
Kenya and Uganda, this great African land.
We know
and appreciate all their hard work,
The lessons
they shared, the adventures and perks.
From Karen
to the Mara, with the Ngong hills in between,
Keriocho,
and Kissi and Jinja, so green!
At the
foot of the Nile we spent our last night,
With our
memories to cherish, to hold and hold tight.
None would
have happened without the work that they both do,
The
planning, the calls, the lunches, organizing the crew!
With our
trip at an end we see relief on their faces,
They had
done it, they had brought us to all the “great places”!
So spring
to your feet friends, give a cheer and a yip,
To thank
John and Gabby for a great time, a great trip!
And hold
on to those stories, and then share them with all
"And say
Thank you CanAssist, Thank you Africa, Thank you one, thank you all!"
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