Addis Bazaar III Was a Success

 

OTTAWA (September 17, 2002) --The Honourable Senator Wilbert Keon, Mr. Benyam Kebede and the Tis Abay Musical Group were named “Friends of the Association for Higher Education and Development at AHEAD’s annual fund-raising, Addis Bazaar, that took place on September 17, 2002 at the Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa.

 

The third of its kind, Addis Bazaar, attracted the largest crowd of over 250 people, including members of the Ethiopian Communities in Ottawa and Montreal, donors, volunteers, Friends of AHEAD and Ottawans. Addis Bazaar features a buffet luncheon, a formal award ceremony and a bazaar of variety of items.

 

Addis Bazaar is the main source of revenue for AHEAD’s Bursary Program for Medical Students. The Bursary administered in a form of monthly allowances supports medical students at the Jimma, Gondar and Addis Ababa Faculties. 

 

Addis Bazaar Proceeds 

 

This year, Addis Bazaar raised a total of $4264.57 from ticket sales, bazaar sales and donations.  The funds will be entirely used for the Bursary Program, which currently has a total of 54 medical students, 18 each from the Jimma, Gondar and Addis Ababa Faculties. The students are in the first, second and third year of their medical studies. The students receive monthly allowances to help meet some of their basic needs. Eighteen of the students in Jimma, Gondar and Addis Ababa will  be starting their internship in the next academic year when they will also complete AHEAD’s three year bursary program.

 

The Patron of AHEAD, the Honourable Senator Donald Oliver delivered a keynote speech at the function. (Click for his speech.)   Senator and Mrs. Linda Oliver presented a cheque for $500.00, a donation towards the AHEAD Bursary Program for Medical Students.  Senator Oliver who has seen AHEAD grow from a small group of volunteers to an association with a growing recognition has been behind many of AHEAD’s success stories.

 

New Friends of AHEAD

 

Senator Keon was named Friend of AHEAD in recognition of his donation of books to the medical faculty at the Addis Ababa University. In his acceptance speech, Click for picture Senator Keon said that he will continue to support AHEAD.  Click for picture

 

Mr. Benyam Kebede  was recognized for giving AHEAD an international exposure through his popular website ethiopiafirst and his success in facilitating a dialogue among Ethiopians in the Diaspora through this popular website. Click to visit ethiopiafirst web site). Click for picture

 

The Tis Abay Musical Group from Montreal was named Friend of AHEAD for its memorable performance at last year’s Addis Bazaar. Click for picture

 

                                                            -30-

 

September 17, 2002

The Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD)