|
KEREN
SECONDARY REUNION OF SUMMER 2008
TORONTO
CANADA
On
behalf of myself and the organizing committee, I would like to extend my
gratitude and thanks to every one who participated on this nostalgic
occasion either by travelling from all corners of
USA
and
Australia
or from all parts of
Canada
. Our special thanks also goes to our members in
Toronto
who helped us financially and morally without which the success would not
have happened. Many of you had been communicating with us constantly with
constructive advice.
Our
thanks also to Mr Rajan and Mrs Indira Rajan who travelled from
Philadelphia
and whose presence enlightened the whole event. Thanks to Mr Roger and his
wife Barbara whose slides they shared with us gave a true meaning to the
Reunion
. Our
appreciations and congratulations to the organizing committee who
sacrificed their time for the last eight months for a good cause(Bahlibi
Tekle, Hassen Feraj, Tesfagabir Mesghina, Zaineb Warah, Yacoub
Abdella,Gimai Abdella Alishek,
and webmaster Adel Omer .Although Yohannes Ferdinando is in Ottawa, he was
an important member of the committee)
The
first ever high school reunion from Eritrea held in Seneca College from
July 4th to July 6th in Toronto was very successful
which went well one hundred
times beyond our expectations. The objectives of the reunion as was said
at its inception were all met. We said it will be a meeting for people
from all walks of life and indeed it was. Our slogan was “We learned
together and we will bond for ever”. It is a blessing to see every one
happy, enjoying with each other, focusing on old stories, events, jokes,
and constructive ideas for the future of our children.
The following is a summary of day by day event.
Friday
July 4:
Our guests out of
Toronto
started to arrive to their assigned hotel rooms at
Seneca
College
. At about 8:00 p.m dinner was served for every one in the OASIS hall
thanks and admiration to our own ladies from ladies who managed to prepare
the dinner. The nostalgic Mr. Roger’s Keren slides were seen with
enjoyment and laughter.
After
Socializing and getting together for about four hours, music and
entertainment was followed until 12:30 a.m. This evening was attended by
about 200 people.
Saturday
July 5: This was the main day which
focused on the main purpose of the event. Registrations and coffee started
at 10 am in the lecture hall. The volunteers who helped the registration
process were our sons and daughters. Our conference started at 10: 30 am.
The high light of the event was the lighting of three candles by three
members who were part of the first group of high school students, namely,
Medhin Ferdinando, Saadia Aman, and Asfaha Woldemicael. They lighted the
three candles in memory of our classmates who couldn’t be with us, our
deceased elementary and high school teachers, and in memory of all
Eritreans who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. After that one
minute silence was practiced.
A
brief introduction outlining the objectives of the meeting was given by a
member of the organizing committee, Hassen Feraj. A short welcome speech
by a member of the first group of Keren high school students, Asfaha
Woldemicael, was followed. Elsa
Eman delivered her congratulatory note on behalf of our daughters and
sons. Mr Rajan and Mr Roger gave excellent speeches focusing on Keren
during their stay. Congratulatory letters from Zeresenai, from Dr Demsas,
from Dr Mansura and Teclu, and from Ghirmay Hadembes were read.
Unfortunately, we received letters from Letti Hadgu and Beimnet Zaid one
day later. A member of the organizing committee, Tesfagabir Mesghina, gave
detailed analysis of the activities of Keren students during high school
years. Dr. Woldemariam
Ghebresselase gave a nice lecture on prevention and control of Kidney
disease. This was followed by Yohannes Ferdinando‘s speech on social
relationships in the past, in the present, and in the future. Lunch was
served in the OASIS hall courtesy of the organizing committee. After lunch
Saleh Johar gave a speech on tributes to the town of
Keren
. Dr Ogbay Mesmer’s lecture on heart disease and heart attack was
followed. The last official speaker was Dr. Mesghina Yasin reminding
parents to act as teachers and friends to their children. On the free
period many members gave a concrete advice how to deal with our children
and how to make ourselves healthy and happy. Even though every one was
equally important in this meeting, Wolday Abbe with his jokes and
professional dancing gave salt and pepper to this important occasion and
Afeworki Tesfazghi (shehen) entertained the audience with the old
Tigre
songs. The meeting was concluded peacefully with every one affirming the
desire of continuing this kind of event .The meeting during day time was
attended by 230 people. Again dinner was served courtesy of the organizing
committee at about 8:00p.m. Dancing and entertainment followed until 1:00
a.m. The evening was attended by more than 300 people.
Sunday
July 6:
This was a picnic day open to anyone. The picnic and BBQ was in a
municipal park at Dufferin and Finch. BBQ was served courtesy of the
organizing committee from 11:00 am to 6:00 p.m. Many children enjoyed
playing soccer, volleyball, and Frisbee. Adults were engaged in nostalgic
talks and laughter.
An
additional 150 people who were not part of the previous two days
participated in this picnic.
In
conclusion, the event was very successful and ended peacefully with mutual
respect with whatever political ideology one followed, or whatever
religion one belonged to. This is the kind of meeting we need which unites
us as one people with sole objective of making Eritreans happy and
successful wherever they go and whatever ideas they have. Many members who
didn’t go to
Keren
High School
participated with good will with purpose of unity and desire of getting
together.
We
didn’t get an opportunity to choose new committee members from the
floor, but some members were nominated as task force members to give ideas
when and where the next event would take place. I personally believe we
should add more names from all geographical parts of
USA
and
Canada
. As the organizers of the first reunion we can not ignore and escape from
this cause without having a concrete alternative. I am sure every one of
us will collaborate for the success of this cause.
A
professional videographer shot the entire event and a copy will be
available soon to every one for purchase. A professional photographer also
took the entire event.
See
you in the next event!!!!!!!!
Bahlibi Tekle
A script of the speech given by Hassen Fereg at the 1st
Alumni conference - July, 04, 2008
It is a privilege and pleasure for me to address and open this first
re-union of Keren High school students. The idea of gathering and having a
re-union of Keren High school students was lingering among some if not all
of us for quite some time. I recall four years ago friends like Yacob
Abdullah and Yohannes Drar calling for one. I could never comprehend that
it could be possible. However, thanks to all mighty God. It is here, a
dream came true.
Dear Colleagues:
The question, “why a reunion?” begs an answer. Those who graduate
from high school and college/university are all alumni. It is common
practice for alumni members to gather after 2 to 4 years. Unfortunately,
we are now only gathering after 40 years due to our circumstances. A
re-union is an opportunity to catch up with old friends and to a lesser
extent make new ones.
We are holding this to renew our commitment to our old tradition of
brotherhood, unity and cooperation. We are holding this for the welfare of
our community.
I can’t say much about Keren secondary school without discussing
Keren the city. Keren is a cosmopolitan town with all the Eritrean ethnic
groups and religious traditions living side by side. It is a town were
more than eight other nationalities have assimilated into. It is a town
where a Muslim lives beside a Christian in harmony and understanding. It
is a town where disputes are settled under the oak tree of (Keren
-stadium). A town where you can’t distinguish between the have and the
have not. It is a town where the struggle and the sacrifice were fairly
distributed among its inhabitants. It is a town that unfortunately shares
a similar history with My Lai in Vietnam.
We all remember the massacre of Awna, Bessighdera and Rura. Keren is a
town where the first martial law was imposed from sunset to sundown to
confine its people. It is a town which sacrificed so others can flourish.
It is here brothers and sisters that most of us went to school with at
Keren Secondary school.
1974 was marked by the recruitment of some of our alumni to the
liberation front as well as the exodus from our homeland for others. The
waves of time carried everyone to their respective destinies. Here, I am
sure, everyone has a story to tell.
Today we are gathered to address the disconnection, bridge the gaps and
focus on what can bring us together. What are the common factors that
unite us?
The organizing committee for this event, would like to declare that
this reunion, is not affiliated to any political organization, or
political group (either opposing and or/supporting) and we stand by this.
This disclaimer was stated on our website.
Brothers and sisters before my conclusion my due thanks to the
following:
Eritreans of Keren living in Toronto and surrounding who supported us
financially and morally was well as our volunteer group who worked
tirelessly to make this event successful.
My colleagues in the organizing committee, Bahlibi Tekle, T/Ghaber
Messghena, Zeinb Werah, Yacob Abdullah and Jemi Abdallah as well as their
spouses who endured the never ending meeting that we were helding. Berkti,
Aziza Mussa, Zeinb Werah’s family, Romana Hussien Kafle and Gamiela
Mohamed Amman. Our special thanks to Adel Omer who is our webmaster. He
solely designed the website, maintained it and incurred all the expenses
himself.
Our due thanks to Yohannes Drar (Fernando) who acted as self appointed
Public relations liaison to promote the event.
Our thanks and gratitude for all those who accepted the invitation and
came from as far as Australia, Europe and the USA.
It is unfortunate that we are deprived of the presence of our beloved
teacher and guide Osman Umar Imran who made every effort to join us today.
There was a delay regarding the issuing of the VISA, something which is
out of our control. Our appreciation also goes to our respected principal
Utaz Mohamud Kannoni who unfortunately couldn’t be with us due to
personal circumstances. There were also many with sincere intentions who
could not make it for one reason or another. All are equally missed.
A lion’s share of the gratitude to our former teachers. Rajan Indirh,
Mr. Rogers as well as those keynote speakers. Dr. Oghbai, Dr G/Mariam, W/Sellasie
and Mr Saleh Joher. Special love to Br. Mohamed Saleh Joher and the awate
group who facilitated the promotion of the website www.sweetkeren.com.
Our due thanks to chief Tzhie of 89.3 Dallas radio. Last but no least our
appreciation goes out to all those guests who never had the chance to go
to Keren Secondary school yet out of respect they are here today.
We will pursue the high ground for the united way and without you all
there would be no way.
Wishing you all the best of the event.
A message sent by Mr. Mohmoud Kanony on the eve of the alumuni
To my dear and beloved Keren Student:
You can not imagine how happy I was to receive your invitation and
equally very sorry to say I will not able to attend the event, simply
because of unforeseen circumstances.
Your school was established under a very intense situation and a period
of a great turmoil of people struggling to liberate their country. In
spite of all the difficulties surrounding Keren, you were unable to pursue
your studies with diligence, determination and discipline.
I recall those who were walking daily miles and miles on foot to attend
their school. Coming from Alimental, Baggu, Megareh…etc.., through the
famous Gira Fiore.
Keren then was under strict curfew from 6am to 6pm. It was under
military emergency proclamation.
You were studying under such circumstances. The spirit of cooperation,
hard work, friendship, brotherhood and sincere collaboration are values
instilled in you. Therefore, no wonder you come together in a reunion of
Keren Secondary school. For this I encourage you to keep up to it and
again I extend my apology for not being among you on these remarkable and
memorable achievement.
God bless you all.
Mahmoud Kanony
_________________________________________________________________________
A message from Mansura Abdallah and Teclu Ogbamichael
Dear participants,
We are sad that we are among you and envious because we know that you
are having a whale of a time. However, although we are not physically
there to celebrate and remember our days at, we are holding our own little
reunion in Canberra at Teclu’s. We have spent the last few hours sharing
our experiences, what it meant to be a Kerenite and especially a student
of that great school. Considering the odds, it never ceases to amaze us
how much students of Keren School have achieved in their respective fields
and the contributions, albeit small, they are making wherever they are. It
is with great pride that we remember our teachers who were not only
teachers but mentors, friends, father figures and inspirational leaders.
We thank you for helping us continue to uphold the spirit of Keren.
Of course the story would not complete without our fellow students, who
are no more. There are dearly missed, especially on this day.
By theway, how can we talk about our school days in Keren without
remember A’boy Yonathan and his jokes and A’boy Nuru and his sweet tea
and umboteto.
To the organizers, our greatest admiration and gratitude for making it
possible to reunite the scattered children of Keren school.
We hope to be with you in the next reunion, wherever it might be.
Lots and lots of love
Mansura Abdallah and Teclu Ogbamichael.
_____________________________________________________________
A message from Osman Omar Imran
To: Mr Bahlibi & Mr.Hassan
Please convoy my greeting & best wishes to all members of Keren
high school reunion and congratulate them on this occasion.
Dear sons
I was dreaming to be among you sharing with you this great pleasure but
Allah did not confirm and be sure that my soul and spirit with you all the
time. So go ahead with your plan and strength the relationship between
you, by putting hand on hand. Allah be with you and save you to do more
and more for you community.
Thank you very much
Osman Omar Imran
|
