When we are asked why we do what we do in Kenya, it’s important for us to share stories like this one...CES Canada scholarships are making a difference. Dennis Were is an example of a bright - motivated young man who now has a bright future in the community health profession. Enjoy the photos - especially the mask he sports to coordinate with his work uniform.

Photos courtesy of CIFORD Kenya. This CBO Community Based Organization helps to improve the lives of Kenyans through development and education. A variety of projects focus on agricultural training, community empowerment and sustainable living.

Dennis Were graduated from Sidikho SS in 2014, was appointed in 2015 as a CES Intern Teacher Assistant and later that year awarded a CESCED Leadership Studies Scholarship to study Community Health Science at Meru University of Science and Technology. He graduated with Honours in 2019. While at university he volunteered for the Kenya Red Cross and was the Coordinator of Health Club activities sponsored by the university and the Meru County government.

Dennis shares part of his story:

“I hope you are all doing well and safe. I am actually faring on well despite the COVID-19 pandemic that has halted everything around the globe, right from the economic global giants to the have nots at the grassroots level. Indeed this is a trying moment of our lifetime.
I am pleased to notify you about my progress since I graduated last year in November. Previous to that I finished my attachment, an important component needed to graduate. I had been linked to an NGO located within Meru county by Madam Carolyne Karani. She was a lecturer who was also my Patron back when I was the chairman of the university Health club. The NGO Community Initiative For Rural Development (CIFORD-Kenya) absorbed me as an intern from August 2019 up to December. It has three departments: Community Health, Agricultural and Community Development. I was interning as a health officer in the community health department, working hard, learning and growing in order to understand how the system works. Some of my learning included office work where we drafted proposals, grants and success stories, to field work where we conducted health promotion, women’s self-help and empowerment groups and young adolescents seminars where we enlightened them on sexual health and human rights. I am so fortunate to be working with a group of motivated and inspiring young people.

It's through this experience that God blessed me in January 2020 when I was officially absorbed as the organization's health officer. I was delegated a branch of the organization to run as the officer in charge and given a motorbike that I now use to carry out my Field duties.

I consider this a success story where CES has been on the front line supporting me and walking with me all through. I know this is just but the beginning, and I am yet to reach at the pinnacle of my success. But I am known for celebrating my personal progress, however small it may look like.
I am very happy and fortunate to make this community contribution and to find employment in my chosen field. Without CES in my life this could never have happened.
May God bless the CES family. Stay safe and observe the government's instructions to fight this pandemic. Finally, we are currently distributing soaps, face masks and conducting Covid-19 sensitization through CIFORD Kenya. This is part of ensuring we fortify the government's efforts in fighting the pandemic."