JUNE 21, 2017

 

Visions From & For Kakuma by Clare Morneau

 
 

 

Clare Morneau was introduced by  Ron D who outlined her accomplishments as a high school student, a squash player, an editor of her school’s literary magazine, her membership in the debating group and her musicianship in the school orchestra. Clare is also one of "50 remarkable Canadians" to appear in a profile soon to be published. Her most recent accomplishment is the publication of her book Kakuma Girls.
 
Clare Morneau began by highlighting the importance of the story of her adopted sister Grace, a refugee who lost her entire family by the age of 8. Learning to know her sister’s story gave her a desire to learn more about the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya where 150,000 refugees have an existence of a sort in an era of climate change and uncertainty.  Clare wished to know more about the girls of Kakuma and initiated talks and letters between 40 individuals in her school and at the refugee camp. Learning more about their challenges in the camp, Clare decided to tell the story of several of the Kakuma girls in a book. Clare share the stories of Sarah N (alone at school from the age of 10 with no support from parents), Esther N (funny and wise with a strong interest in Canada and a desire to go to university), and  Loola M (born in the camp, no nationality, who lost the chance to settle in the United States when her brother failed to have a fingerprint scan available for the American immigration staff, and who wants to be a neurosurgeon).
 
 

Clare concluded by saying she hopes to inspire others to help the girls at Kakuma. The issue of displaced persons will not disappear  and she hopes  to  share the message that education will prepare the leaders of tomorrow. The girls have perseverance; all they need is opportunity. Developing scholarships, as she hopes to do, will help.

Clare and her mother attempted to visit Kakuma but were stopped in Nairobi the night before their scheduled visit because the Canadian government had  intelligence that the Al Shabab group was going to target Kakuma. Instead, the UN flew five of the Kakuma girls to Nairobi to meet Clare and her mother.

One of the questions from the floor asked how her project had affected the girls at her school in Toronto; she replied that it helped them to become involved with various causes and projects.. As to what is happening to some of the Kakuma girls, Clare responded that WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is helping to get them here and she hopes that the work will not die with her book.

Joe C thanked Clare  saying she is an example of young people who give him hope for the future. 

Clare Moreau: Kakuma Girls: Sharing Stories of Hardship and Hope from Kakuma Refugee Camp. Barlow Book Publishing, 2016. 184 pages. ISBN: 978-1988025148.