Chairman of the Leon H. Sullivan Sumits Ambassador Carlton Masters addressing the audience at Manyatta Primary School in Manyatta Village in Arusha.
Ambassador Carlton Masters presenting a dummy cheque for 65m/- to the Arumeru District Commissioner Mercy Sila (L) to help rehabilitate the Manyatta Primary School . First Right is Emmanuel Wado the Chairman of Blue Jewel Company, 2nd right is SAEDF Chief Investment Officer Rafique Symonette.
The Chairman of Blue Jewel Company Emmanuel Wado and Rafique Symonette, Chief Investment Officer of SAEDF, shaking hands with students of Manyatta Primary School in Arusha
Ambassador Carlton Masters shaking hands with students of Manyatta Primary School in Arusha.
SPEECH BY AMBASSADOR CARLTON A. MASTERS DURING THE CHEQUE HANDOVER OF THE SULLIVAN FOUNDATION TO MANYATTA VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Good morning,
It is a wonderful feeling to be here on this beautiful day, especially to be among young friends who are the center of each and everyone’s focus today.
As I was preparing for the long journey to Tanzania I couldn’t help but feel the excitement of coming home deep down in my heart because I along with millions of other Americans recognize Africa as our home.
I am touched by the joy and expectation that fill the young eyes of these boys and girls, feelings of real hope that their future rests on. Education at a young age fashions a lifetime. I can guarantee everyone here today that we are looking at teachers, doctors, scientists, pilots and leaders of tomorrow right here.
I believe these young ones have what it takes to be the very best of Tanzanian society and that they are not different from children in America, Europe, Asia or anywhere else because life presents numerous opportunities and it is up to us to garner the means to exploit them.
Manyatta Village Primary School is special. The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation works to enhance excellence among people of the African Diaspora and friends and well-wishers of Africa by promoting and enhancing leadership in political, entrepreneurial and intellectual circles. But also recognizing that there are many more people who are less fortunate than we are, the foundation is also a major advocate on their behalf, making efforts to ensure their situations are improved.
This village school is special because it falls in the second category. It came to our attention following a visit here by a delegation led by Hope Masters, our President and CEO during the 8th Sullivan Summit in June last year. In the western hemisphere June is summer whereas it’s quite cold chilly in these parts of Tanzania, but because of the unfortunate situation these children find themselves in, the cold weather beat them quite harshly. The delegation saw them without adequate protection against the tough weather, this in addition to an acute lack of learning facilities.
We believe it is an inherent right for every child to attend a decent school and receive quality education and the children at this school don’t deserve less. It is often said that knowledge is power, but I don’t fully agree with that notion – knowledge is power only when utilized. You can know a million things excellently well, but what happens when you simply sit on that knowledge? Yes, nothing happens.
I know that knowledge is a tool and not a trophy to be kept on a display unit in the living room or office. These young friends need to be fully equipped today and tomorrow so that we are sure the future of this beautiful nation is built today on solid sound individuals.
It is for this sole reason that the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation today extends a contribution of $23,000 to Manyatta Village Primary School as our gesture towards the provision of appropriate means that will ensure a good learning environment for the young students here.
We are fully confident that this assistance will bear the desired fruits and that in the near future this school will have a completely different face. The change for the better that we all so want for this school will now be a possibility and I know for sure that it is for the good of these children and their teachers today and for the whole nation tomorrow.
Thank you for your kind attention and God bless you all.
65 M USD ama 65 M Tshs?
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