Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Presenting Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with the Dutch van Emden Prize on World AIDS day.



MKI’s honorary Chairman, Baron Kraijenhoff should have been the one standing on stage on World AIDS day in Cape Town, South Africa to present Desmond Tutu with the Dutch van Emden Prize. However because of ill health I had the honor to do it. Guup Kraijenhoff had sent the following message:

“Dear Archbishop Tutu,

We consider it an honor that you accept the Van Emden Prize which is awarded outside the Netherlands tonight for the first time.

Your merits have been recognized worldwide but what is so special about you is that you never stopped taking interest in the small charity operations – the grassroots activities and supported them in every way you can.

They have the advantage of remaining flexible and ready to cooperate with other societies. I am thinking here of one organizations with whom you and I have very close ties, the Medical Knowledge Institute MKI.

But there are many more of these “hands-on” organizations, some of them even carry your name that you inspire with your unending love for humanity.

Every society however small needs a champion, a hero, and you are our hero not only tonight but for forever”.

Pictures: Presenting Desmond Tutu with the Van Emden Prize on behalf of Guup Kraijenhoff.

2 comments:

Francisca 'Mapitso Matsoha said...

comment already sent on Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Francisca 'Mapitso Matsoha said...

Dear Archbishop Tutu,

You have always been a Catalyst of Change, the change that is seen in the African Continent today; you have surely been part of. You are also an International Icon in FBO fraternity. I feel very proud that the Principal of the School I researched for my MPhil studies, has been given the "Desmond Tutu Footprints of Legends Leadership Award 2001."

Thank you,

Francisca 'Mapitso Matsoha