🌟Pages of Bonding - The Countdown Begins: Light the Way - Where Her Future Takes Root

To Our Cherished Community of Change-Makers,

Can you feel it? That electric anticipation in the air? In just three days, we'll gather for what promises to be our most meaningful gala yet. But before we step into that magical evening together, we have some incredible stories to share: stories of partnerships forming, opportunities expanding, and dreams taking flight.

Pour yourself your favorite autumn beverage and settle in. We've got updates that will warm your heart and remind you why this journey we're on together matters so profoundly.

🎇✨ Saturday, October 11th: An Evening You Won't Want to Miss

Mark your calendars and dust off your finest attire! In just over a week, we're coming together for an unforgettable night of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

AKHRI Annual Gala 2025
"Light the Way: Where Her Future Takes Root"

📅 When: Saturday, October 11th, 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
📍 Where: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre
200 Coventry Rd, Ottawa, ON K1K 4S3, Canada
🎟️ Tickets: $100

Get your tickets here—they're going fast!

🎤 Meet Our Inspiring Speakers

Honourable Marie-P. Charette-Poulin, B.A., LL.B, M.A.

Currently serving as Parliamentarian in Residence at Saint Paul University, her journey spans broadcasting at CBC/Radio-Canada, serving as a Senator for Northern Ontario, partnership at Gowling WLG, and international development work in Iraq. In the Senate, she championed initiatives like Vimy Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day. With degrees from Laurentian University, l'Université de Montréal, and the University of Ottawa, she brings warmth, humour, and decades of dedication to public service.

Samia Ouled-Ali

As Chair of CEPEO and Vice-President of ACÉPO, Samia has been reshaping French-language public education across Ontario. She's also the founder of Family Empowerment Services Canada and recipient of the Prix Saphir 2025 – Personnalité féminine de l'année and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Her work in championing equity and diversity goes beyond the boundaries of policy and is personal, passionate, and profoundly transformative.

Comedy Break: Serge Nkusi Takes the Stage

Born in Madagascar with Rwandan roots and raised in Canada, Serge brings electric stage presence and sharp wit that's earned him major recognition: 2025 Yuk Yuk's Mike McDonald Comedy Competition winner, finalist in the Absolute Comedy Competition Finals, and featured in the Ottawa City Limits documentary. Get ready for belly laughs that remind us joy is essential on the journey to change!

🚚When Good Deeds Get Noticed: World Vision International Steps Up

You know that feeling when someone notices the quiet work you've been doing and wants to help? That's exactly what happened when World Vision heard about our literacy efforts.

Two trucks. Full of equipment. Donated to AKHRI.

Let that sink in for a moment.. When organizations like World Vision take notice and decide to invest in the mission, it confirms what we've known all along: this work matters, and people want to be part of it!

Our women and girls often travel remarkable distances to participate, some bringing their children along just to carve out the time to learn.

Every piece of equipment brings them closer to their goals of reading and writing, removing one more barrier and lightening one more burden on their journey.

To World Vision: Thank you for recognizing our efforts and choosing to amplify our impact. Your generosity will touch lives in ways that numbers can't capture.

💼The Next Chapter: Dahabshiil and WeInvest Partnerships Formalized

Remember when we told you about the initial microfinance opportunities last year?

Well, get ready for even better news, partnerships with Dahabshiil and WeInvest have been formalized, and it's everything we hoped it would be and more.

Here's what's happening: a carefully selected handful of our past graduates have been chosen for a vocational program backed by microfinancing, specifically focused on establishing their own practices such as sewing.

This is the next generation of AKHRI opportunities, and it's addressing a question we hear time and time again from our older students: "What next? How can we put our skills into something that provides for our families?"

Literacy opens doors, but economic independence kicks them wide open💥 .

Through this partnership with Dahabshiil Bank and WeInvest, we're watching our graduates transform from learners to financial self sufficiency. Both organizations have been been remarkable in stepping up to finance and provide the skills needed for this venture, understanding that true empowerment means providing pathways to personal economic stability.

To our partners at Dahabshiil and WeInvest: you're financing dreams, dignity, and generational change. We couldn't be more grateful for your vision and commitment.

💝 3 Days and Counting

Join us on October 11th ready to be inspired, to laugh, to connect, and to be part of something bigger than any one of us could achieve alone. Whether you leave with an idea, an inspiration, a friend, or a mentor, we promise you'll leave reminded of why this work matters.

Secure your tickets now before they're gone! Can't make it but still want to support?

Donations: e-transfer at [email protected] or click below to donate.

See you in three days, beautifully dressed and ready to build futures together!

Until we meet under the gala lights,

AKHRI

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