FHF awards go ahead virtually, despite the COVID-19 pandemic
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Farmers Helping Farmers awards were handed out, recognizing important contributions from some of the many volunteers that make our work in Kenya possible.
The 2020 awards were handed out virtually, as part of the Farmers Helping Farmers AGM in July 2020.
Special thanks to Sandra MacKinnon, awards organizer, who puts her time and energy every year into making sure volunteers and supporters of Farmers Helping Farmers receive the recognition that they deserve.
The 2020 award recipients are:
Jane Nitschmann of Perth ON received the Friend of Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) award which recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations who are not members but who have made a lasting and extending contribution to the association. Ms. Nitschmann was recognized for her efforts in weaving unique mats using recycled materials and donating the money earned to the Kenyan water tank project. With each mat sold Ms. Nitschmann includes a note informing the purchaser about FHF and the importance of the water tank project.
This year, three Honourary Life Membership awards were presented. Members receiving the award were Dr. Rosemary Herbert, Charlottetown, Reg MacDonald, Blooming Point and Gerry McQuaid, Miscouche.
- Dr. Herbert’s work to improve the health of the many Kenyan children in twinned schools not only helped those children and their families; it also helped FHF to broaden its scope from improving agricultural production and sustainability, to a greater emphasis on nutritional outcomes and overall wellbeing of Kenyan farm families.
- Reg MacDonald was recognized in part, for his commitment to teaching bookkeeping skills to small scale farmers in Kenya. This aspect of Farmers Helping Farmers work truly exemplifies the organization’s name – as it helps smallholding farmers develop their farms into a business enterprise.
- Gerry McQuaid has been a dedicated supporter of the twinning project, a strong fund-raiser for the Mitoone School and annual planner for the FHF float in the Gold Cup parade.
All three recipients have also been active on various FHF committees and its Board, and Rosemary is a past president of Farmers Helping Farmers.
Asante sana to all of our 2020 award recipients!
