my story

It was a fateful day in my second year of undergrad at The University of Western Ontario, when one of my closest friends suggested that I seriously consider registering for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme. After receiving my record book, I didn't look back! 

The Award has literally changed my life. All my life's adventures, the amazingly inspirational friends I've met along the way, and my outlook in life to always challenge myself to do better, is a direct result of being apart of this fantastic Programme.

For those unfamiliar with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Programme, the Award was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh K.G. K.T. The Award is a programme that encourages youth to be active, to participate in new activities and pursue current interests in four different areas: Community Service, Personal Skill Development, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journey (Residential Project for Gold level). There are three Awards to achieve: Bronze, Silver and Gold.  http://dukeofed.org/about-the-award

Mt. Kenya, Point Lenana, 4,985m above sea level

To complete my Gold, I combined both my Adventurous Journey and Residential Project together in a month long expedition to Kenya in June of 2007. With 15 other participants, 3 leaders and the full support of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Ontario Division, we embarked on a journey of a lifetime. To complete the Adventurous Journey, we completed a 5 day trek up Mount Kenya to 4,985m & a glorious sunrise over Kenya. It was both physically exhausting and one of the biggest accomplishments in my life.

Our Residential Project was to build a library, complete with books, for the Riandira Primary School in the rural village of Sagana, which is situated about an hour and a half outside of Nairobi, Kenya. After spending months fundraising at home in Southwestern Ontario, we were able to pull together enough funds to build (from scratch) a beautiful and sturdy library for these primary school children! We partnered with participants from the President's Award - Kenya, and without their help, we would not have completed the library in time! http://www.presidentsaward.or.ke/

Riandira Primary School

Digging the trenches

Building almost complete, waiting for the cement to dry before adding the roof!

Inside the library with plastered walls and floor

The President's Award - Kenya participants + The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Ontario participants at the opening ceremony

Fast forward four years later...

The International Award Association puts on the International Gold Event (IGE).  Every three years, a different country hosts this event. This year, in 2011, Kenya is hosting the IGE with the theme: Each One Reach One. Established in 1967, the event provides opportunities for Gold Award holders to contribute to the development of the Award Programme on a national and international level. It also allows young people to have their say on the International Award Association’s (IAA) governance structures. http://www.intaward.org/about-the-award/International-Gold-Event/

As a Gold Award holder, I applied to the IGE, and am one of four lucky Award holders to represent Canada at the IGE 2011 at the beginning of September!! I'm heading back to Kenya!

A small selection of the books we brought over to fill the library

Through my friendships forged with President's Award - Kenya participants and leaders, I have since learned that the Riandira Primary School has recently added an additional building to their grounds, and now have an enclosed school block. The library is still in use and the books that we brought over to stock the shelves are still valued. In 2007, during my original trip, my teammates and I brought over school supplies as well as the books.

James Kinyanjui, one of the organizers of the IGE 2011, has recently informed me that we will be returning to the rural village of Sagana for part of the IGE, and doing so, will be passing by/visiting the primary school! 

After this long winded testimonial, my hope and wish is this: to stuff my suitcase to capacity (or to bring an extra piece of luggage) with school supplies for the students of the Riandira Primary School. 

If you are interested, I am looking to collect school supplies such as pencils, erasers, pens and chalk to bring over for the children.  

If you have new and un-used supplies that you are able to part ways with, please contact me, Julia Wong at julia.ada.wong@gmail.com for a mailing address.  Alternatively, if you are interested in donating a small sum to this cause, please contact me at the above address. 

*Please note that I will not be able to provide you with a tax receipt, and when I say small, I mean that I have luggage weight restrictions!

Thank you all for your time and patience, I hope that my story has inspired you visit The Duke of Edinburgh's Award website to learn more!  www.DukeofEd.org

Let the countdown begin:  11 1/2 weeks to go!

the kindergarten classroom

Students of Riandira Primary School