Concordian named CBC's Montrealer of the Week
Political science student Eric Moses Gashirabake will be honoured by CBC Television as its Montrealer of the Week on Friday, March 15 for his dedication and passion for volunteering. Since January, Gashirabake, with help from friends and Concordia faculty and staff, has raised $1,400 by holding seven bake sales on campus.
Gashirabake came to Concordia four years ago from Nairobi, Kenya, where his family still lives. In November, when he returned for his father’s funeral, he visited Kibera, which is often referred to as the largest slum in Africa. “My father always instilled in me a spirit to help others and often told me that poor strangers depend on the goodwill of blessed men,” Gashirabake says.
Inspired by his father’s words and what he witnessed in Kibera, he returned to Montreal with a desire to help the disadvantaged youth of Kibera. As someone who has had the privilege of attending university, Gashirabake knew he wanted to help others gain access to education. So, all of the money raised from the bake sales will go to the Kibera Education Fund and the Kibera Law Centre in Nairobi to sponsor a year of high school for two students. His ultimate goal is to create an endowment fund that will support them through their entire secondary education.
Besides his passion for volunteering, Gashirabake works in many academic and non-academic groups. He is vice-president, academic, advocacy and Loyola Campus affairs, for the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA); co-president of Concordia’s branch of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) for Student Refugees; and vice-president of internal affairs for the Political Science Students’ Association (PSSA), among others.
Gashirabake’s bake sale is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the mezzanine of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), SIr George Williams Campus.
Watch the video on the CBC site.
Related links:
• CBC’s Montrealer of the Week
• ASFA
• WUSC Concordia on Facebook