Borkena
Toronto – Aklilu Wondaferew, Ethiopian-Canadian living in Toronto, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal – a prestigious award – for contributions to support disadvantaged and homeless veterans. He is the first Ethiopian-Canadian to receive the award.
King Charles III’s coronation medal is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions.
Eleven recipients of the award, including Aklilu, were recognized for their outstanding contributions for Canada in a range of areas including services to the community.
“By command of King Charles III, the Coronation Medal is hereby conferred upon individuals noted below. In commemoration of his majesty’s coronation as King of Canada and in recognition of your valuable contributions to your community, province and our country,” reads the information on the event card.
Aklilu is awarded for initiating, developing and implementing Homeless Veterans Services program in the organization he leads. The award ceremony was organized in Ottawa, Canada’s capital.
Aklilu is the Executive Director of Good Shepherd Ministries, a non-for profit organization located at 412 Queen Street East in downtown helping the homeless and those living with poverty. It runs programs in addiction & health care , Shelter and support, supportive housing, and pastoral care.
“The Program was developed in 2010, and has supported more than 400 veterans,” Aklilu told Borkena. This particular program focuses on rehabilitating homeless and disadvantaged veterans, and enabling them to lead a better life.
Asked how he feels about the recognition, he responded “I am delighted and deeply honoured that the senate of my adopted country Canada had awarded me this prestigious medal.”
He see the recognition as a recognition to his coworkers as well. “This is a medal not just to me but to my coworkers and team members who have journeyed with me to make a difference in the lives of so many disadvantaged Canadians including homeless Veterans,” he told borkena via electronic communication.
He also hopes that the award will have a meaning and significance outside of his work place, particularly to the Ethiopian community in Canada. He said, “I hope this will inspire other Canadians of Ethiopian origin to aim high and push the boundary to reach their highest potential in what ever they do.”
Aklilu has a Bachelor of Social Works (BSW) from University of Western Ontario. He has also earned his MSW from the University of Toronto and a Post Graduate Diploma in Ethnic and Pluralism Studies from University of Toronto. In addition , he has a certificate in non profit management from York University and a certificate in negotiation from MIT.
From the information published on its website, the organization runs one of the largest meal programs in Toronto. Thousands of people living with poverty in Toronto, including seniors, are served meals everyday.
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Congratulations Brother Obbo Aklilu Wendaferew for being recognized for your valuable charity work. My family and I wish you continued success in your noble endeavor.
Dear Aklilu
Greetings from Mamo at proudlystuck @ gmail.com
Congratulations, Aklilu, on a well-deserved and dignified honor. If you had done the same for Ethiopian veterans back home, you might have received a tattered certificate, a grainy photo on state TV, and an ethnic tag in the comment section. Maybe even accused of serving the wrong group, or not serving the right flag loudly enough.
But in Canada. you did it, quietly and humanely. So now, you are in the news and in the medals.
Respectfully,
Proudly stuck between a culture that shames its servants and a passport that sanctifies them.