Mike Oosterhoff
Special to The Morning Star
In 2006 a connection was made between Akonjo Village in Kenya, East Africa and several residents of the North Okanagan/Shuswap area, and local fundraising initiatives were put in place to support girls in the village and their educational needs.
Since 2008 an Akonjo Fair has been organized as an outdoor event, with the money raised directed towards the construction of a girls’ washroom/change room adjoining the local school. Included in this building is space to house three sewing machines. Girls are taught sewing skills and now produce items to sell at the local market. A nursery school classroom has also been completed. This space has allowed young students to relocate their “under-a-large-tree” classroom to an indoor space.
Funds have also been used for a women’s seed initiative and for a youth farm group requiring seeds and farming implements. Both groups are now self-sustaining. A life skills project was started to give opportunities to youth who do not make it to high school. Young people were given the instruction and tools to learn the masonry and painting trades.
Details of the many initiatives of the Akonjo Village Project will be displayed at an information booth at this year’s Akonjo Fair, to be held in Enderby on May 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maud Street parking lot located by the bridge. It will feature a large rummage sale, the sale of bedding plants (both vegetable and flower), books, CDs, and DVDs. This year the sale of new and used jewelry will be introduced. A food, dessert, and coffee concession along with local entertainment will also be on site.
Please come out and support the event. All proceeds will go to the Akonjo Village Project. Anyone with garage saleable items, plants, books or jewelry to donate can do so the morning of the event or by dropping items off in the garage at 311 Regent Ave., Enderby, anytime this week. A follow-up yard sale will be held at this address on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, please contact Mike Oosterhoff at 250-832-1125.
