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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-04-28, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011.Runner with local connection participates in Boston Marathon Many of you have probably met Rev. Dr. Peter Kugba-Nyande. Originally a Methodist minister, he left his home country of Sierra Leone for Canada in 2000 due to over a decade of (1991-2002) brutal and devastating war. He has served the United Church of Canada since 2002 and moved into this community in July 2009. Located on the west coast of Africa, Sierra Leone is boarded by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the south and Atlantic Ocean the west. Sierra Leone has a tropical climate with a rainy season May through October, the balance of the year representing the dry. The beginning and end of the rainy season is marked by strong thunder- storms not unlike those of the hot summer period we experience here in Canada. Sierra Leone has an average year round temperature of 80°F. The high humidity rate is somewhat relieved November through February by the famous Harmattan, a gentle wind from the Sahara desert affording its coolest periods. The population of Sierra Leone now exceeds six million, about half Ontario’s population. Freetown, the country’s capital is also the commercial and educational centre. Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, experienced an 11-year civil war until 2002, and has been in the process of rebuilding the nation, including the education sector. Sierra Leone’s net enrolment ratio in primary education dropped to 41 per cent after the war (UNICEF, 2005). This is largely related to widespread poverty; about 70 per cent of the population lives in poverty with more than two-thirds of the people categorized as being in extreme poverty (the Government of Sierra Leone, 2005). The govern- ment, with about half of the national budget donor funded, has made a strong commitment to achieving compulsory basic education, along with the international goal of Education for All (EFA). This is not only because having an education is one of the basic human rights, but also because education can be one potential way to tackle poverty. However, behind the rapid progress in terms of access to primary education, there are still more than 30 per cent of children who are not in school and primary completion rates are below 60 per cent nationally (MEST, 2007). A former Liberian president Charles Taylor awaits trial in The Hague for his role in a brutal war in neighbouring Sierra Leone during the 1990s. He is accused of supporting rebels who carried out widespread atrocities. Since the end of the war the government is trying hard to regain public confidence to eradicate poverty, provide jobs, secure food sustainability, and improve education. There is still a high rate of unemployment particularly among youths and ex- combatants. In a modest way, Rev. Peter is making an effort to raise funds rebuild the Methodist Schools and provide safe drinking water in his community. With the help of Simcoe County he built a school and a well at his home town Bunumbu and now plans to build an extension that will accommodate 75-100 students. It is estimated that the new building will cost $16,000 less $4,000 community input. With your help Peter can achieve his dream. While Kugba-Nyande is still in the planning stages for this foundation, there is not yet an avenue for donations, but information will be forthcoming as the foundation develops. Happy Easter to everyone. Families gathered together to celebrate Easter near and far this past weekend. Our clan travelled to Mitchell to gather with my family. It was also clean-up-the-yard day when there were plenty of family around to help. We had a great day together and the work was done in record time. Barry and Karen Hoegy welcomed their daughter Sherry and husband Eric from Morristown, Tennessee. They also brought their best friend, Dawson, the dog. He loves coming to visit Canada and seems to know when packing starts, a trip is coming. They enjoyed Easter with the rest of the Hoegy family on Sunday. Ross and Anne Hemmingway have returned from a trip to Lethbridge, Alberta. They were visiting their daughter Darlene and husband Josh and granddaughter, Leah. It is always great to visit and Anne looks forward to returning later this summer when a new grandchild is expected. Jack and Maryanna Ryan’s new house arrived last Wednesday andwas placed on the foundation. Theworkmen quickly went to work onother structural additions and itlooks like it is coming along nicely. Congratulations to Neil and Ruth Schade on celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. They celebrated with dinner at the Fireside Café. The Boston Marathon was held last week with a local connection. The granddaughter of Elizabeth McKercher participated in the run. Heather (Larson) Rogers of Burlington, is the daughter of Anne (McKercher) and Ron Larson of Sarnia. Anne and Ron and Heather’s husband Blair were in Boston to cheer her on. They were so busy cheering for all the runners, they missed Heather running by. Heather completed the 45.1 kilometre run in under four hours, the fastest time she has ever run. Congratulations to Heather on her triumphant day. Our get-well wishes go out to George Cousins who underwent surgery last week. He is home and doing well. Get-well wishes go to Doreen Hackwell who is now a patient in Seaforth Hospital following knee surgery in London Hospital two weeks ago. Our thoughts and get-well wishes go to Harold and Pearl McCallum’s son-in-law, Wayne Hartman, who is a patient in Goderich Hospital. Our condolences to the family of Shirley Leek who passed away last week. Our sympathies to her family Dorine, Dianne and Tom and their families. Shirley will be missed byher many friends at the AlexanderStreet apartments.There was a large congregation atthe service at Duff’s United Church on Easter Sunday. Those attending were greeted by Chad, Crystal and Kaleigh McCallum. Special music was provided by Glenda Morrison, Margery Huether and Phyllis Mitchell. The sanctuary was decorated with many beautiful flowers for the celebration of Easter. Birthday greetings for Graeme Craig, Amanda Morrison and Margery Huether were sang. The Lenten Liturgy was read by Patti Banks and the Lenten candles lit by Teresa Baan. Jim McDonald read the scriptures for the service. The ladies of the choir, Patty Banks, Marie McGavin, Pearl McCallum, Marion Godkin and Phyllis Mitchell sang a lovely Easter song, “Hosanna for Evermore”. Announcements included the UCW meeting is May 4 with Joelle Glanville as the guest speaker and showers May 4 for Katie Emmrich and May 13 for Sarah McDonald. A lasagna dinner is being hosted by Bluevale United Church Sunday school, Saturday, April 30 with proceeds to Rev. Peter’s school project in Sierra Leone. A memorial gathering from 2 - 4 p.m. is being held for Dena (Wey) Kale at the Seaforth Legion on Saturday, April 30. Dena passed away earlier this month and her parents are Campbell and Edith Wey. Celebrating birthdays this past week include Dennis Rijkhoff,Danielle Williamson, Stan McClure,Gail Searle, Sheldon Courtney,Darrell McClure, RobertMcLachlan, Amanda Morrison, Jeff McKee, Avery Boven, Derick Bachert, Isobel Burke, Hayden Love, Spencer Hackwell, Margery Huether, Cody Terpstra, Tanner Steffler, Michael Axtmann, Amy Alcock, Brad Finlayson, Graeme Craig, Paul Humphries, Jenna Fraser, Kelly Marks, and Jenna Regele. Happy birthday to all. The April meeting of the Melville Guild and Women’s Missionary Society was held at the home of Jeanne Kirkby on April 19 with 11 members present. Dona Knight opened the meeting with the call to worship and the WMS purpose was repeated in unison. The hymn, “In the bulb there is a flower” was sung and a prayer “A Litany for Easter” was read in unison. The topic, “Easter Morning After the Storm” was read by Jeanne Kirkby, followed by prayer. The hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful” was sung and Jeanne Kirkby read “An Easter Story”. Dona Knight led in prayer and the Mizpah Benediction was repeated by all to close this part of the meeting. President Cathrine Campbell presided over the business. The minutes of the March meeting were read. It was moved by Elaine Armstrong, seconded by Jeanne Kirkby to adopt the minutes as read. The correspondence included an invitation to the Maitland Presbyterial WMS Rally to be held at Camp Kintail on Monday, May 9. Treasurer Jeanne Kirkby gave the treasurer’s report and a summary of the springtime supper which showed a profit of $3,150.46. Leona Armstrong gave the WMS treasurer’s report and the roll call was answered with everyone telling their plans for Easter. It was moved by Dona Knight, seconded by Jean Bewley, to purchase six folding tables. It was moved by Mary Douma, seconded by Elaine Armstrong, to give the Board of Managers $3,000. Leona Armstrong gave a report on Synodical that was held in Goderich. The Scott Woods concert “All Aboard” to be held in Melville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 1 was discussed. It was decided not to have a May meeting. Elaine Armstrong and Margaret Siertsema will be in charge of the devotions for the June meeting. Alice Marks moved to adjourn the meeting and Cathrine Campbell closed the meeting with prayer. Lunch was served by Jeanne Kirkby and Dona Knight. 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