CES Team Members
CES has always been a team endeavour – people in Kenya, Canada and elsewhere coming together, with different skills but a shared purpose, which is supporting education for rural Kenyan young people. Here are some of the people who are part of this team.
CES Canada Chair
Carl Friesen works as an independent marketing consultant, living and working in Mississauga, Ontario. He is a long-time member of Kingsway Baptist Church, a place of historic significance for CES Canada. Carl has a background in journalism and sales. For the past 20 years, he has focused on helping business professionals build their professional profile.
In 2018 he spent ten days in Kenya to research a book about the group’s first 15 years, “Under the Acacia Tree.” To do this work, he conducted over 30 interviews with CES students, alumni, teachers and principals at CES-supported schools, and members of the CES Kenya Board. He has since made other trips to Kenya to meet with members of the CES Alumni and the CES Kenya Board and staff. He joined the CES Canada board in 2018, initially to support the Marketing functions of the organization. He became the Chair of CES Canada in 2023.
Carl Friesen
CES Kenya Patron
Malik Khaemba is a remarkable Kenyan who has served as Patron of CES Kenya since 2004. He is the CEO and a founding member of CES Kenya. Previously Malik served for two decades (1985-20015) as a diplomat of Kenya Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi, Brussels and Ottawa Canada. It was always his intention to return to Kenya upon his retirement to give back to his community. This he has done with extraordinary commitment and personal sacrifice.
Malik Khaemba’s other achievements include the sensitization of large communities to the new Kenyan Constitution (2009). Malik Khaemba has been honoured by the Kenyan Government with the the distinction of Hsc – Head State Commendation. He also received an Appreciation Award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under his leadership 3500 scholarships have resulted in 750 students going on to higher learning. He has helped coordinate a global first Kenya Peace Run, manage the building of Musaga SS, plan a de-worming project reaching out to some 50,000 primary school aged children and oversee a clean water project at Lutaso. He has presided over a number of other projects that have included eight water wells and a school dormitory. The immense amount of good will and support for the public education is a testament to his dedication and hard work. His strong desire to help alleviate poverty and to provide access to education for orphaned Kenyan youth is evident.
Malik Khaemba
President Emeritus
Michael Frederiksen immigrated to Canada from Denmark in 1951. His career in education spans thirty-five years as teacher and administrator at the elementary, secondary and post secondary levels of education. Michael is a retired Justice of the Peace, Ontario Court of Justice. He has served as chair of Phi Delta Kappa (U of Toronto) and as executive member of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Canada. He has worked on a number of international humanitarian and educational projects in Kenya, India, Pakistan and Grenada. In 2004 Michael was instrumental in founding CES Kenya and presently is a member of its board of directors. He is a strong advocate for children with disabilities, particularly those who suffer from polio and HIV/AIDS.
Michael Frederiksen
CES Kenya CESCED Principal
Patricia is a Director of CES Kenya and the Principal of the CES Kenya School of Continuing Education, coordinating its Mentorship and Leadership Training programs. Patricia's support of gender based motivational projects in promoting self-reliance, healthy living and hygiene management has been recognized through the CES Canada Award of Excellence in Education (2016).
Patricia Makori is a keen advocate for human rights and global education. She has worked in community health and education for nearly two decades. The impact of her humanitarian work in Kenya has been felt through the Nomadic Girls Rescue Centre in Turkana County, the Kenya Red Cross, One Dollar Glasses in Kisii County and Community Education Services (CES) Kenya in Kakamega County. She is a member of the Kenya Psychological Counselling Association. Patricia is a motivational speaker and she continues to mentor youth in the transition from post secondary studies to the world of work. Recently she represented CES Canada at the UN Global Women's Conference in NYC (2019).
Patricia Makori
CES Sports Ambassador
Gilbert is an elite Kenyan runner from Eldoret who has trained and run marathons throughout East Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. His personal best includes 2:08:16 at Daegu, South Korea Marathon (2012), 1:14:11 at the (2008) Berlin 25 Km Race, 1:02:01 at both the Eldoret (2009) Half Marathon and Udine Italy (2009) Half Marathon Races. He has won the Thunder Bay and Victoria, B.C. marathon races in recent years.
Gilbert Kiptoo connected with CES at the 2008 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) awards where he had just ran a cool 2hrs 12 min race. He has been key to mentoring our students and assisting at the Canada Day (July 1) Run at MMUST in Kakamega. He also organized 23 fellow marathon athletes to participate in the 2013, 140 km CES Kenya Peace Run. Gilbert is dedicated to the work of CES while at the same time operating an orphanage at his home in Ziwa KENYA.
Gilbert Kiptoo is a global ambassador for Kenya athletics. He also serves as CES Sports Ambassador.
Gilbert Kiptoo
Director, Thunder Bay
Sandy Guthrie first travelled to Africa in 2009 where she cared for children in a Tanzanian orphanage. Determined to return to East Africa she visited Kenya in 2011. She and husband John together with Karen and Vaughn Dahl were involved in teaching assignments, visiting schools and mentoring CES students. Sandy established and coordinated the Annual Canada Day Run in Kakamega. Sandy has continued her work as Director of the CES Chapter in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Organizing fundraisers and numerous events have created opportunities to share the CES story with the media and the local community. Sandy was part of a Team from the St Agnes Church Community who in 2013 travelled to Kenya to build a dorm at St Mary Goretti Girls HS at Shikoti. During each visit to Kenya she spends time caring for young children at the Divine Providence Orphanage.
Sandy Guthrie
CES Special Education Advisor for Disabled Youth
As CES Special Education Advisor for Disabled Youth, Billy O'Wabucheli provides valuable insight into the needs of CES students that face physical challenges and who require accommodations to meet their educational needs. He has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of CES associated schools at Eshitari SS, and Kilimo Girls SS.
Billy graduated from University of Nairobi with a degree in Geography and Linguistics and later achieved a Masters degree in Education Administration and Curriculum Development. Tragically, in 1978 he was involved in a serious road accident in the college bus while taking students on a Geography tour to Masai Mara National Park. He broke his neck in the accident, was retired on medical grounds and since then has been a quadriplegic, using a wheelchair for transportation.
This did not dampen his resolve and spirit to serve his fellow man. Billy realized the stigmatization and discrimination of those with disabilities. He became well known for his concern for those without access to education, employment, health services, transport facilities and recreation. Billy has made contributions to the 2003 Kenya Persons with Disabilities Act. He is a social activist, advocating for rights of persons with disabilities. Currently Billy is Chairman of the Butere Persons with Disabilities Forum.
Billy O’Wabucheri
CES Kenya Executive Assistant
Sarah Nabongo brings many years of office experience, the most recent with Canadian NGO Kenya Education Endowment Fund (KEEF). Her work as office administrator is shared between CES and KEEF. Sarah’s expertise in IT Computer Communications provides CES Kenya with much needed communications support. She works closely with CES students to ensure their accountability and success in education. Sarah is a mentor for many as she monitors their progress.
Sarah Nabongo also provides CES with a front line contact for visitors to CES Kenya at Shieywe Conference Centre in Kakamega. She provides valuable assistance at CES events and finds time to work on special projects such as the CES Health Hygiene Kits for CES students.
Sarah has achieved a Diploma in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree - Human Resources from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Sarah Nabongo
Project Manager, Director of IT
Tom Conant graduated in 2010 from McGill University in International Studies. After extensive travels in South East Asia he taught ESL in South Korea. During 2012 and 2013 Tom travelled to Kenya on two occasions and there established himself as a key member of the CES Kenya team. His experience in the field includes many teaching assignments in CES schools and the establishment of the Oasis of Learning Library at the Bishop Sulumeti Girls HS in Kakamega, Kenya.
Tom coordinated three major projects in Kenya that were widely celebrated. Working with World Without Worms he delivered the CES De-Worming Project that impacted on 50,000 primary school children. In addition the 2013 CES Kenya Peace Run drew wide attention with 26 world class elite athletes engaged in a unique sporting event. His work to establish a hydro connection at Musaga SS became a cause that brought many contributors together. Tom continues his work with CES advising and helping to establish projects on the ground.
Thomas Conant
CES Canada Directors serve as Board members on a voluntary basis. They meet a minimum four times per year to engage in strategic planning, create annual budgets and pass motions that directly affect the work of CES in Kenya. Board members volunteer their time to raise funds and help coordinate events. Their expertise in Business, Law, Finance, Accounting, Journalism, Education, and Communications provide a broad overview on the various aspects of building a non-profit charity organization.
CES Canada Directors
CES Canada Board Members 2023
Tom Conant
Mark Fonseca
Michael Frederiksen
Carl Friesen (Chairman)
Sam Kutondo
Charles Mayenga (Secretary)
Kent Rodway (Treasurer)
CES Kenya Board Members 2023
Ben O.E. Udoto – Chairman
Malik Khaemba - Patron
Hillary Lukhafwa – Secretary
Ramadhan Barasa
Ibrahim Efumbi
Edwin Nyongesa Juma
Florence Lirhanda
Hellen Kulundu
Patricia Makori
Rev. Livingstone Nyanje
HH Aziza Rajab
Retired Board Members
Alecia Chen (2005-2013)
Niels Christiansen (2005-2007)
Dennis Freeman (2009-2023)
Susan Freeman (2010-2020)
Ken Froese (2007-2023)
Raymond Gallant (2005-2017)
Catherine Gatere (2005-2010)
Arthur Khaemba (2013-2016)
Diana Kuzmanovic (2005-2023)
Bernard Simon (2005-2015)
Jane Snyder (2006-2016)
Leonard Wandili (dec'd) (2008-2021)
Ron Ward (dec'd) (2005-2022)
Continued Guidance and Support
Ken Froese
Diana Kuzmanovic
Bernard Simon
Jane Snyder
Graduates of the CES program have built their own community spirit by volunteering and creating education scholarships for needy youth. Volunteering includes tie planning and coordinating the CES Canada Day Run, Jiggers Community Health Campaign, CES schools Hygiene Education and Friendship visitation to the Divine Providence Orphanage in Kakamega.
Members of the Executive are, left to right:
Elicah Mayukuva
Dennis Were
Mwanarabu Otswang
Melvin Wafula
Chairman Edwin Nyongesa
