'Chief Guest' (representing Global Footsteps) at the Opening of the Adult education resource centre at Mireri Primary School

I was the 'Special/chief/honourable guest' at the opening ceremony for the new Adult Education library and Resource centre at Mireri Primary School near Kirindo, which has been led by Kosimbo.

This was definitely a first for me, I am used to people using the word 'special' to describe me but not 'honourable' so much.

I gave a small speech about Global Footsteps, our partnership with Kosimbo CBO (Community Based Organisation) and the importance of adult education and education generally as well as the need for the community and authorities to support the centre. I cut the ribbon to open the centre and planted a tree to commemorate it too. The full text of the speech is available below:

`I am honoured to be given the opportunity to be the invited guest to this occasion, in which I am acting as an ambassador for the Charity 'Global Footsteps'.

Global Footsteps is a charity based in a town called Cheltenham in the UK. We are a small but ambitious organisation. This year we are sending a number of volunteers, to various countries, with specific skills in education, health and environmental protection to assist in community projects. Next month we are pleased to be able to send two English teachers to teach in some schools in the Kisumu area and hopefully in Kirindo.

We also have a small shop in Cheltenham which sells fair trade produce and some products made by partner CBOs in the Kisumu area.

Global Footsteps is aiming to develop and strengthen the link between Cheltenham in the UK and Kisumu, exploring the ways that we can co-operate for mutual benefit, particularly with the Kosimbo organisation.

In this respect we are honoured to be partnering with Kosimbo, who have worked so hard and achieved so much for Kirindo. From hearing what people from the Kirindo community have had to say, the difference that Kosimbo has made and continues to make is clear.

The opening of this library for adult education is an important step forward for Kosimbo, and for the community generally, given the fact that education is essential for improvements in health and income-generation.

I sincerely hope that this facility is enthusiastically supported by the community and the relevant authorities, and that when other visitors arrive in the years to come they will find this library functioning and thriving as a centre of learning for the community.

This library is another way that Kosimbo is demonstrating its commitment to it's motto of 'Changing Lives'. So it gives me great pleasure to attend this opening ceremony.