Meet Our Kenyan Team!
By Wendy MacDonald
On August 18, the Farmers Helping Farmers float in the Gold Cup Parade paid tribute to the outstanding work and essential role of our team on the ground in Kenya. Each side of the float featured the photo of the team, taken by Teresa Mellish in early 2023, and including the full names and starting date of their time with Farmers Helping Farmers, as well as the sign highlighting the Life Member awards given to each staff member at the July Annual General Meeting. Their experience, dedication, ingenuity and hard work enabled FHF to not just deliver the More Food, Better Food project on time despite the pandemic, but to stretch the existing budget and newly won funds to expand project activities to eight additional women’s groups and two new schools.
The float also paid tribute to Volunteer of the Year Barry Cudmore in recognition of his fundraising feat of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and Youth of the Year Victoria Mellish in recognition of her volunteer service in Kenya in early 2023 and subsequent public engagement with schools and 4-H. Signage at the back urged paradegoers to keep an eye out for the Emily Wells fundraising meals in October.
Thanks as always go to Gerry McQuaid for his amazing carpentry and design skills, exercised this year during a bout of COVID-19 and in the rain, and for his hand-lettered signage. Thanks also go to Ken Mellish for providing and driving the truck and trailer; to Teresa and Victoria Mellish who sat on the back of the float; to Van Kampen’s Greenhouses for the lovely greenery, to Stephanie Compton for the hay bales and music tech support, and to Staples for their quick, responsive service on banner design and printing. (The photo banners are very sturdy, sized 5 x 8 feet, and are available for use as backdrops at future events upon request.) Wendy MacDonald coordinated the banner development, did the required paperwork, and also travelled on the float and handled the Kenyan music playlist.
While parade turnout was affected by the rain, we enjoyed a great response from those in attendance, and we look forward to being back next year!
Teardown time! Luckily the rain stopped for a few minutes.
