Australian High Commission News
May 2015 - Tanzanian Australian Alumni Association (TAAA) is launched
The Tanzanian Australian Alumni Association (TAAA) was officially launched in a colourful ceremony on 29 May 2015 in Dar es Salaam. In attendance was the Deputy Premier of Western Australia the Honourable Dr Kim Hames, the Director of Policy Development, Public Service Management Mr Mathias Kabunduguru, the President of the Tanzanian Australian Alumni Association (TAAA) Dr Francis Mhimbira and over thirty alumni.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sponsored a professional development workshop in Dar es Salaam for 25 alumni on 28 May to discuss leadership, conflict resolution and managing change in the workplace.
More information on the workshop and launch can be found here.
Deputy Premier of Western Australia Hon Dr Kim Hames, President of the Tanzanian Australian Alumni Association (TAAA) Dr Francis Mhimbira (to his right) and alumni at the formal launch of TAAA on 29 May 2015 in Dar es Salaam
May 2015 - Australia Awardees celebrate Africa Day in Australia
Africa Day 2015 was celebrated around Australia on Monday 25th May, commemorating the founding of African Unity in 1963- now known as the African Union. Awardees from the Australia Awards program organised events in capital cities around Australia, celebrating African unity. Awardees from Kenya celebrated at events around the country, including at the University of Western Australia Africa research cluster on Africa Day itself, and at the Flinders University cultural week, where Awardees promoted African cultural through selling traditional chapatti and other dishes.
Read the full Africa Day 2015 story here.
May 2015 - Australia supports Tanzanian small businesses
Australia will help small Tanzanian businesses to secure sub-contracts with major resource companies and their suppliers.
So far, small local suppliers have struggled to capitalise on markets created by extractive industry supply chains. This is largely due to a skills gaps, lack of access to finance, and limited linkages with extractive companies and their suppliers.
Australia is supporting an 18-month local supplier development project targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises in three regions in Tanzania – Mwanza, Mbeya and Katavi. The project will be managed and implemented by Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) Tanzania.
The project will work closely with key local partners, local business service provider Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO), to improve the business support it currently provides.
On Friday 8th May, the Australian High Commissioner to Tanzania, John Feakes, officially launched the project at SIDO headquarters in Dar es Salaam. Read the full media release here and the High Commissioners speech here. More pictures can be found on our Facebook page here.
Dr Consolata Ishebabi (Ministry of Industry & Trade); High Commissioner John Feakes; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry & Trade Uledi Mussa; and the Director General of SIDO Eng. Omar Bakari cutting the ceremonial ribbon to formally launch the project.
April 2015 - Australia Awards - Semester One Reintegration workshops
Semester One Reintegration workshops for graduating students were held in April in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. Awardees from a variety of Australian institutions were invited to attend, including 22 from Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. At the workshops, Awardees were given the opportunity to reflect on and modify their reintegration plans through the Reintegration Planning Portal, ensuring alignment of Award- acquired skills and knowledge with their planned development contributions for implementation on return home. In addition, they were able to further build their soft skills in areas of leadership, managing resistance to change, and stakeholder communication.
The workshops also provided Awardees with detailed information on their Alumni transition, including opportunities for engagement as part of the Alumni Network across Africa. For most graduating scholars from East Africa, Alumni Associations are already active in their home countries.
April 2015 - Results from the 2014 Australia Awards Arrival and Ongoing Awardee Surveys,
Results from the 2014 Australia Awards Arrival and Ongoing Awardee Surveys, administered by DFAT, reveal positive highlights about the Awardee experience. A total of 579 (13 per cent of all the respondents) African Development Scholarship Awardees from 28 countries participated, with 97 per cent of new arrivals satisfied with their preparation to come to Australia, and 98 per cent satisfied with the Pre Departure Briefings held prior to leaving for Australia. For those living and studying in Australia, 96 per cent of ongoing Awardees felt they had chosen the right course topic, and 91 per cent believed they had chosen the right educational institution.
For Awardees from Kenya, 95 per cent were highly satisfied with their preparation for living and studying in Australia, and 95 per cent were satisfied with their ability to manage study related issues while studying on-award in Australia. To view more of the top level survey results, click here.
April 2015 - Visits to Lodwar World Food Program projects and Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya
Staff from the Australian High Commission and DFAT Canberra recently visited Lodwar in Turkana county, Kenya where they were able to see World Food Program (WFP) supported farmer organisations that produce and sell cereals used for school feeding programs in the county. Australia is supporting the WFP to improve food security for communities in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. Click here to view a picture gallery on Facebook.
With donor funds, WFP assisted in the construction of this storage area near Lodwar in Turkana. Womens groups have been trained in appropriate post-harvest handling and storgae practice and uses this building to store surplus cereals to then sell to market. (Photo credit: Solomon Ngari - DFAT)
They were also able to visit the Kakuma Refugee Camp in north west Kenya where they witnessed the challenges and commendable work that the UNHCR, WFP and their partners are doing to provide services to the vulnerable refugee population. Kakuma hosts over 180,000 refugees, the majority of them from the war-torn South Sudan. Australia is supporting refugee operations through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Program (WFP) in Kenya's refugee camps. Click here to view a picture gallery on Facebook.
Refugees waiting to receive food rations in Kakuma Refugee Camp in north western Kenya. (Photo credit: Solomon Ngari - DFAT)
April 2015 - 2014 Outcomes Study Results - Maintaining and developing links established while on-award
Results from the 2014 Australia Awards Africa Outcomes Study paint a positive picture for ongoing Alumni engagement. Research was conducted with 174 Alumni who completed either a Masters or Short Course, to determine how program outcomes are linked to Alumni and their development contributions. Participating Alumni encompassed a broad range of sectors, including health, agriculture, mining, education and governance. Of the total respondents, 43 per cent were female.
Results indicate that links established between Alumni are the strongest, with 90 per cent of Alumni confirming they maintain contact with other Australia Awards and International Alumni. 85 per cent of respondents also confirmed they are members of at least one Alumni Association, while 70 per cent continue to maintain links with Australian students and professionals. To view more results from the Outcomes Study, click here.
March 2015 - Australian Awards Alumni Welcome Home Function
On 18th March the Australian High Commission hosted a Welcome Home Function for returning Kenyan Australian Awards Alumni. Poster presentations were also given by Alumni who had returned in the previous 12 months to illustrate how their Australian studies had contributed to their work. Speeches from Anna Dorney, Development Counsellor and High Commissioner John Feakes can be found here. More pictures of the event are available on our Facebook page.
Returning Australia Awards Alumni pose for a group photo with High Commissioner John Feakes (centre)
March 2015 - Launch of the Australia-Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) annual report
On 12th March High Commissioner-designate John Feakes attended the launch of the Australia-Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) annual report and spoke about Australia's commitment to supporting & partnering with Kenya to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. His speech can be found here, the report can be downloaded from the DFAT website and more pictures of the event are available on our Facebook page. A South African Broadcasting Corporation radio report of the event can be found here.
High Commissioner Feakes addressing the audience at the AACES report launch
March 2015 - Opening of the 2015 Australian Higher Education Fair & evening reception
On 5th March High Commissioner-designate John Feakes was the guest speaker at the official opening of the Australian Higher Education Fair at Oshwal Academy in Nairobi. See more pictures here and read his speech here.
High Commissioner John Feakes opens the Australian Higher Education Fair at Oshwal Academy, with Vice Chair Rajesh Devchand Singh looking on
February 2015 - Alumni Associations Capacity Building Workshop, Pretoria, South Africa
On 23-24 February, Australia Awards hosted a two-day Alumni Association Capacity Building Workshop in Pretoria, South Africa, bringing together leaders of 20 associations, to increase their effectiveness and sustainability efforts in Africa. Participants from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda briefly share what they learnt.
Back row: Francis Mhimbira – Tanzania Australia Alumni Association; Tertula Marandu Swai - Tanzania Australia Alumni Association; Helen Kawesa - Australian Alumni Association Uganda; Gaye More – Australian High Commission, Pretoria; Mahul Shah – Kenya Australia Alumni Association
Front row: Jane Kabaki, Australian High Commission, Pretoria; Leah Aywah - Kenya Australia Alumni Association; Asif Khan, Australian High Commission, Nairobi; Aggrey Kagonyera – Australian Alumni Association Uganda
February 2015 - Team Australia at the Mining Indaba 2015
The Australian Head of Mission in Nairobi, Mr. John Feakes, participated in the 21st annual Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa held from 9 to 12 February. Indaba is the world’s largest mining investment conference that brings together thousands of delegates from around the world. Read more about it here.
The Australia Lounge at Mining Indaba 2015 (Picture credit : Mark Chipps)
February 2015 - Australia Awards Awardees attend Livestock post-course workshop in Nairobi
The University of New England in partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) hosted a one week post-course workshop at the ILRI campus in Nairobi from 16 to 20 February 2015. The training workshop was delivered as part of the Australia Awards Africa Fellowships for African Agriculturalists in Livestock Production systems. Read more about it here.
Group photo- Workshop Participants
July 2014 - Assistant Secretary Mr Adam McCarthy's Visit to Caritas Australia Child Rights Project
On 9 July 2014, Assistant Secretary Mr Adam McCarthy visited the Caritas Australia child rights project funded under the Australia NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) in Korogocho, Nairobi. Caritas and the local NGO partner, Pendekezo Letu (PKL), are working with communities in informal settlements to improve their lives, with strategies including supporting rehabilitation of street girls, legal aid, child rights clubs, HIV/AIDS support groups, vocational skills training and economic empowerment especially of women. The project is achieving tangible benefits for communities, while ensuring sustainability of project outcomes.
Assistant Secretary Mr Adam McCarthy with staff from the Australian High Commission, Caritas and PKL in a meeting with members of Ushirika women support group
June 2014 - Launch of the Australian Trade and Development Business Network
The Australian Trade and Development Business Network is a new business network launched by Ms Bishop on 29 June. The network includes companies such as Beach Energy, San Remo Pasta, Coffey International, URS Limited and the ANZ Bank in partnership with the Institute for International Trade (IIT) at the University of Adelaide. A featured project under the network is a partnership by Beach Energy, Austraining International and IIT and the human resource gap linked to the mining sector.
June 2014 - Opening of the Australian funded Document Examination Course (Doc 1)
The Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Geoff Tooth and Deputy Director of Kenyan Immigration, Mr Joseph Munwoki officially opened the Australian funded Document Examination Course (Doc 1) course at the Nyayo House training facility on 17 June 2014. Australia, as a member of the Nairobi Airline and Immigration Liaison (NAIL) team, is providing funding to a Document Examination Training Course for Kenyan border agencies. The joint initiative with the Embassy of the Netherlands is designed to increase the skills of Kenyan agencies with responsibilities for protecting Kenya’s land and air borders.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth with Deputy Director Mr Munwoki at the official opening of the Document Examination course at Nyayo House on 17 June
June 2014 - Inaugural IPPC Graduation in Nairobi
The graduation ceremony of the first graduates of the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate (IPPC) in Kenya was held on 16 June in Nairobi at the High Commission Chancery hosted by the High Commissioner, H.E. Geoff Tooth. Since 2012, IPPC has been established in Kenya by the University of Sydney in a formal collaboration with the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) which partners with the International Postgraduate Paediatric Certificate to bring best practice knowledge, competencies and skills in child healthcare for doctors and suitably qualified nurses who care for children and young people.
H.E. Geoff Tooth with the graduands of the course, (from left to right) Nurse Mercy N Lingera, Nursing Officer in Charge, Karura SDA Dispensary, Adventist University of Africa; Nurse Newborn Gichana, Paediatric Nurse/Operating Theatre Nurse, Seventh Day Adventist Health Serivces; Dr Edna Kerubo Ngare, Clinical Medical Officer, The Nairobi Hospital; and Nurse Daniel Kiprotich Tirop, Health Ministries Director, East African Union of Adventist Churches
May 2014 - ACIAR Trees for Food Security Inception Workshop in Kampala, Uganda
Australian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E. Geoff Tooth, opened the ACIAR Trees for Food Security Inception Workshop in Kampala, Uganda on 12 May 2014. The “Trees for Food Security” project - the first project by the Australian International Food Security Research Centre - has now expanded to Uganda after successful forays in Ethiopia and Rwanda.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth speaks at the opening of the Trees for Food Security Inception Workshop in Kampala, Uganda
April 2014 - ANZAC Day Dawn Services in Nairobi, Kenya and Juba, South Sudan
ANZAC Day was celebrated in Nairobi with a dawn service at the Nairobi War Cemetery, followed by a light breakfast. The service was well attended by government officials, diplomats and Australians. A service was also held in Juba, South Sudan by the ADF contingent serving under the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The ANZAC service at the Nairobi War Cemetery
Australian Volunteers for International Development Program in Kenya
The Australian Volunteers for International Development program provides the Australian community with opportunities to share skills and foster linkages with people and organisations in developing countries. Read selected stories from AVID volunteers in Kenya, who share their experiences of working in a developing country.
April 2014 - First Anniversary of the Kenya Australia Alumni Association
On 15 April 2014, the Australian High Commission held a reception to celebrate the first anniversary of the Kenya Australia Alumni Association (KAAA) and welcome home 11 recent Australia Awards graduates from Australia. The reception was attended by senior Kenyan Government officials including the Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Service Management, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Australia Awards alumni and privately funded scholars who studied in Australia.
(from left) Mr Mahul Shah, KAAA Chairman; Mrs Margaret Muia, Deputy Director, Directorate of Public Service Management, Ministry of Devolution and Planning; Dr Angela Gichaga, Australia Awards Alumnus; and H.E. Geoff Tooth, Australian High Commissioner cut the cake to celebrate the first anniversary of the Kenya Australia Alumni Association
April 2014 - High Commissioner's Visit to Rwanda, 9 April 2014
Australia's High Commissioner to Rwanda, H.E. Geoff Tooth, visited the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Project by World Vision in Rwanda on 9 April 2014. He also visited a Village based Child Nutritional Center (VCNC) in Rugarama Village, Kigabiro Cell of Gicumbi District in Rwanda. Children under five years not enrolled in school are gathered in a place where a daily and balanced food is prepared by trained mothers.
April 2014 - High Commissioner's Visit to Somaliland, 1-3 April 2014
The Australian Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Geoff Tooth, visited Somaliland from 1 to 3 April 2014 and met with the President of Somaliland and other senior government officials to discuss issues of security and piracy among other issues. The Ambassador also visited Mandera and Hargeisa prisons and is keen to work closely with the Government in the future.
Ambassador H.E. Geoff Tooth lays the foundation stone at the Mandera Prison in Somaliland
March 2014 - Tropfest Australia's Tour to Kenya
Tropfest Australia came to Kenya for the first time from 23 March to 25 March as part of an African tour that included South Africa and Zimbabwe. Two screenings of award-winning and finalist films were held at the Kamukunji Grounds in Kibera and at the Alliance Francaise in downtown Nairobi. International Managing Director, Mr Michael Laverty, also facilitated workshops for young emerging filmmakers at local film schools which were very well received, particularly at Hot Sun Foundation.
Mr Michael Laverty facilitates a workshop session for young emerging filmmakers at the Hot Sun Foundation offices on Lang'ata Road on Tuesday, 25 March on the intricacies of running a short film festival
March 2014 - Insurance Payout for Pastoralists in Wajir County under the IBLI Programme
On 25 March 2014, the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Geoff Tooth, witnessed an insurance payout for pastoralists in Wajir County. The Index Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) is believed to be the first livestock insurance product designed and targeted at nomadic pastoralists in Africa. This risk management product covers drought-related livestock mortality in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Also on 20 March 2014, the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya H.E. Geoff Tooth joined World Vision on a mission to assess the progress of the Australia-supported Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Project in Mogotio, Baringo County. FMNR seeks to improve food security and enhance the communities' capacity to adapt to climate change as well as to take part in restoration of the degraded environment thus strengthening household resilience. The visit aimed at showcasing how the project has transformed the lives of the beneficiary local farmers and their families.
March 2014 - Annual General Meeting of the Australia Alumni Association - Uganda
On 23 March 2014, Senior Program Manager (Scholarships) Mr Asif Khan from the Australian High Commission attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Australia Alumni Association-Uganda (A3-U) held at the Protea Hotel in Kampala. The meeting was also attended by A3-U Committee board members, the outgoing Chair, Mr Patrick Barugahare (who is also an Alumni Ambassador of the Australia Awards in Africa) and Mr Patrick Bitature, A3-U’s patron and Australia’s Honorary Consul in Uganda. The AGM was followed by a reception to welcome home two recently returned Australia Awards graduates, and was attended by around 40 Alumni.
Mr Patrick Bitature, Australia's Honorary Consul in Uganda (in light blue jacket); Mr Aggrey Kagonyera, incoming Chair of the Australia Alumni Association - Uganda Chapter (A3-U) (in half sleeved blue shirt); and Mr Asif Khan, Senior Program Manager, Australia Awards (suit & tie) with members of the newly elected incoming committee of the A3-U at the Protea Hotel in Uganda
March 2014 - Launch of the new AIFSC Office at Eaton Place, Gigiri, Nairobi
The Australian International Food Security Centre (AIFSC), part of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), held a cocktail reception to celebrate the launch of its new office at Eaton Place, Gigiri in Nairobi on 17 March 2014. The new offices were launched by the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Geoff Tooth.
(from left) Dr Simon Carter, IDRC Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa; His Excellency Geoffrey Tooth, Australian High Commissioner to Kenya; Mr Jean Lebel, IDRC President; Dr. Willy Mutunga, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya; and His Excellency David Angell, Canadian High Commissioner cut the cake to celebrate the launch of ACIAR's new office location
March 2014 - IORA Conference on 'The Political Economy of Maritime Africa in the Indian Ocean Region' at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya
Australia, as the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), hosted the Conference on "The Political Economy of Maritime Africa in the Indian Ocean Region" at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya from 12-14 March 2014. The High Commissioner, H.E. Mr Geoff Tooth, also hosted a cocktail reception for the delegates of the Conference at his residence.
The participants of the IORA Conference which was held at the Intercontinental Hotel from 12-14 March 2014
March 2014 - Breakfast and Panel Discussion Event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya
The Australian High Commission, in collaboration with UN-Women, hosted a breakfast and panel discussion event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on 5 March 2014. The theme of the day was ‘Empowering Women in Education: The Journey and the Road Ahead’, and the event was well-attended with a vibrant discussion from the participants. The panellists included Ambassador Tegla Loroupe, retired marathon runner and founder of the Tegla Loroupe Foundation; Dr Mary Okello, renowned educationalist and founder of Makini Schools; and Ms Tabitha Kiriti-Ng’ang’a, Australia Awards winner and alumnus.
(from left) Ambassador Tegla Loroupe, retired Kenyan marathon runner and founder of the Tegla Loroupe Foundation; Dr Mary Okello, renowned educationalist and founder of Makini Schools; and Ms Tabitha Kiriti-Ng'ang'a, Australia Awards winner and alumnus, who were the panellists for the International Women's Day breakfast and panel discussion on Wednesday, 5 March
March 2014 - Launch of the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) 2012-2013 Annual Report in Nairobi, Kenya
The Australian High Commission celebrated the launch of the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) 2012-2013 Annual Report at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi on 4 March 2014. The event was attended by the High Commissioner and NGO partners who are involved in the implementation of the Scheme. The Annual Report shows how Australian Government support to NGOs is improving peoples’ lives and delivering more opportunities to the most vulnerable and poor, including people with a disability. Read the High Commissioner's speech and also the media releases for Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Also listen to a radio report filed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation on the launch of the report.
H.E Geoff Tooth, Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, with Agnes Ondeng' (in wheelchair) a community representative with disability supported by Plan International Kenya from Homa Bay County and Anna Ondunga, Project Coordinator (standing) with Plan International Kenya during the launch of the AACES 2012-13 Annual Report on March 4, 2014 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi
March 2014 - Graduation Ceremony at the Hot Sun Foundation film school
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth attended the graduation ceremony for the Hot Sun Foundation film school on 1 March 2014. The Foundation was started by Mr Jim Lindsay, former Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, and his wife Ms Pamela Collett. The Foundation is a non-profit organisation which trains youth from the slum areas of East Africa in the various aspects of filmmaking with the vision of nurturing young filmmakers from the region.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth with the graduates of the Hot Sun Foundation film school. With them are Ambassador Isiah Purnell, Deputy Ambassador of the United States of America (extreme right) and Mr Pieter Leenknegt, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Embassy of Belgium (behind left)
February 2014 - MoU Signing of SLEEK Program
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the William J. Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) for a national system to track emissions and removals of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the land sector on 14 February 2014 at the Panafric Hotel. The proposed System for Land-based Emissions Estimation in Kenya (SLEEK) – a data and modelling system - will enable the Government of Kenya to quantify and report its land sector emissions as well as allow Kenya to evaluate different land-use scenarios for sustainable development and inform policy decisions on resource use, including planning for forest restoration, protection of forest resources, improved agricultural productivity, and enhanced water availability. The Australian Government has provided A$14.2 million over 5 years and technical & policy support for the SLEEK design since 2008, drawing from the experience of developing its own National Carbon Accounting System.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth (back centre) witnesses the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the Clinton Foundation
February 2014 - Base Titanium's First Shipment of Ilmenite from Kenya
On 13 February 2014, Base Titanium successfully made its first shipment of ilmenite from Kenya at the port of Mombasa, marking a milestone for Kenya and the development of its minerals sector. Australia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, H.E. Geoff Tooth, said the exports would transform livelihoods and the economy. “Kenya is now ripe, open for business and a mining boom. It is expected that with the confidence levels growing, more investors will come to mine,” he said. It is estimated that 330,000 tonnes of ilmenite worth Sh5.1 billion will be shipped out each year. Read the High Commissioner’s speech and see below links to the news coverage of the story.
Daily Nation - Base Titanium makes its first mineral shipment from Kenya
Standard - Kenya joins mineral exporters as first titanium cargo leaves port
Business Daily - Base Titanium makes first shipment
Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Mining, is shown samples of the shipment by Base Titanium staff
January 2014 - Australia Day Cocktail Reception
The Australian High Commission celebrated Australia Day on Tuesday, 28 January with a cocktail reception at the High Commissioner’s residence. About 350 guests attended the function including the diplomatic corps, high-level government and business contacts, alumni from Australian universities, and prominent Australians. High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth pledged to strengthen bilateral ties between Australia and Kenya through the creation of more business and investment opportunities for Australian companies. He also vowed to continue to support Kenya’s devolution process. Read the High Commissioner’s speech here.
Australia's High Commissioner to Kenya H.E. Geoff Tooth delivers a speech during the Australia Day celebrations
December 2013 - Official Opening of the Wanawake kwa Wanawake Family Centre
Australian High Commissioner Geoff Tooth was the chief guest at the official opening of the Wanawake kwa Wanawake family centre on Wednesday, 4 December. The organisation was founded by Ms Marguerite Ryan AM, who graced the occasion along with the management board and the Christian Brothers.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth and Ms Marguerite Ryan with a beneficiary of the Wanawake kwa Wanawake organisation
December 2013 - Australia Awards in Africa Team wins inaugural Disability-Inclusive Development Award
The Australia Awards in Africa Team received one of two highly commended awards for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s inaugural Disability-Inclusive Development awards on Monday, 2 December. The team was presented with the award by Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Graeme Innes AM, during the Department’s celebration of the 21st International Day of People with Disability.
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Graeme Innes AM (left), gives an award to the Africa scholarships program
November 2013 - High Commissioner's Visit to Open Heart International Project in Rwanda
Australian High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth visited the Open Heart International project in Rwanda at the King Faisal Hospital on 26 November. A team of 37 Australian volunteers from Open Heart International was in the country for two weeks to perform corrective surgery on 20 children with congenital heart defects or suffering from rheumatic heart disease. This project was part funded by a grant from the Direct Aid Program.
An Australian surgeon with a child patient
November 2013 - New Classrooms at the Immanuel Afrika Academy
High Commissioner Geoff Tooth laid the foundation for eight new classrooms at the Immanuel Afrika Academy on Wednesday, 20 November. Immanuel Afrika is a home for 55 former street boys, providing food, shelter, education, the opportunity to detox and hope for the future. The Australian High Commission has a long association with Immanuel Afrika and is pleased to support the construction of the new Immanuel Afrika Academy which will provide a quality education for the boys and the local community.
H.E. Geoff Tooth lays the foundation for classrooms at the Immanuel Afrika Academy
November 2013 - Opening of a water kiosk at the Kangemi Resource Centre
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth officially opened the water kiosk at the Kangemi Resource Centre on 14 November. The water kiosk was part funded by a grant from the Direct Aid Program of the Australian High Commission, and was designed and built by the SkyJuice Foundation of Australia. It will serve the Centre’s internal water requirements and also support the immediate local community.
High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth greets a student at the Kangemi Resource Centre
November 20
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High Commissioner H.E. Geoff Tooth greets a student at the Kangemi Resource Centre
November 20