AHEAD RECEIVES ITS LARGEST DONATION
In Memory of Mr. and Mrs Rodrigue

December 12, 2002 Ottawa

AHEAD received a donation of $5,000 from Mr.Phil Rodrigue and his family of 
Ottawa, Canada. The donation, equivalent to 25,000 Birr (Ethiopian currency) is 
the largest AHEAD has recived since its creation in 1999.This donation will be 
administered as a momerial fund in memory of his and his wife's parents Phil and 
May Rodrigue and Roland and Rosmary Belanger.

The donation, made in memory of the parents of the Belanger-Rodrigue families 
will go towards towards the AHEAD Bursary Program for medical students in Jimma, 
Gondar and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In a very modest way, the AHEAD Bursary 
Program is designed to make up for the lack of grants or scholarships for medical 
students in Ethiopia. The modest monthly allowances from AHEAD are meant to help 
meet some of the basic needs of outstanding students who receive no financial 
assistance during their training in medical schools.

The cheque presentation was held at the Senate in the office of AHEAD Patron, 
the Honourable Senator Donald Oliver in the presence of Ms. Cathy Belanger, 
wife of Mr, Phil Rodrigue and their sons, Marc and Andrew. AHEAD members 
were also present at the ceremony.

In presenting the cheque, Mr. Rodrigue said that his parents had always valued 
education and noted that AHEAD was a good choice in view of the need of
students who will be benefiting from the Momerial Fund.

 In response, AHEAD member, Dr. Ibrahim Yimer thanked Mr. Rodrigue and his 
family and assured them that the donation will go to the intended beneficiaries.
He indicated that HEAD has very little to none overhead costs and often
members cover their own expenses. Ensuring that generous donations such as 
this one [from Mr. Rodrigue] today will get to the intended cause 100%.

 He pointed out that the donation is enough to help twenty three more students for 
three years and added that "... these young medical students today are medical 
practitioners tomorrow, helping very needy communities right on the front line. So 
this assistance by extension is far reaching."