The PATHWAYS 7th annual conference was held at the Savelberg Retreat this year over a two-day period allowing plenty of time for sharing, games and discussing ways to link the scholar’s community projects.
Special congratulations go to Shelly Okumu and Dennis Mutwiri (Scholars of the Year), Michael Murigi (Dissemination and Implementation Award) and David Mundia (Alumni Award for the creation of a nonprofit, Dentacare, to provide free dental services to needy persons). See photo at left (some scholars not pictured).
The PATHWAYS alumni were honored this year. First year scholar Hussein Abdhallah articulated an eloquent tribute to the alumni before they were awarded a special commemorative PATHWAYS graduate pen (Monicah Wairumu, Isaac Ngere, Lily Chepkorir, David Mundia and Noah Kanda). An excerpt is as follows:
Today we proclaim you our heroes in this episode of our lives. We extol the allegiance you have employed to your studies…the steadfastness you have maintained in effecting positive-change in those various communities that you belong to. In the words of Barbara Coloroso, quite oftenly quoted by Deb: you said what you meant, and you meant what you said, and you did what you said you would do… and what’s more? Hard work, as it were, is only fully and fairly reciprocated with good results. I feel deeply compelled to remark that in the immense heat of challenges, and ferocious wind of adversity, you held still to your ground; you never faltered like many did. Rather, diligence and industry leaped you out from your frog-ponds. You surely didn’t give up. Indeed, many congratulations are in order. Our humble plea, our kindest appeal to you at this juncture is that you never desert the PATHWAYS path. That you do not abandon what has been, I believe, a very crucial and very vital course in all our lives. That you just won’t stop travelling through this inspiring Journey with us. Thou shall not break your promises; thou shall not forget the story of PATHWAYS; thou shall not stop nurturing that spirit of giving back to the community, and the environment…and thou shan’t forsake your groups given that now you are done with your education. Lastly, thou shall not cease to be our good ambassadors, portraying the most vibrant, well-defining image of who we really are in this small but noble PATHWAYS community.
Many thanks to Hussein, Catherine, Mbaabu and all the PATHWAYS scholars for a most productive, enjoyable and memorable conference.
