Last Monday evening we had the pleasure of hearing from the delightful Olasoju family. Deborah, eloquently told of her experience attending IYM, backed up with PowerPoint slides. She enthusiastically describing in detail the activities which she and other participants were involved in, while staying at the Silverstream Retreat. Visits included to Victoria University’s Ferrier Research Institute, Otago University at Wellington Hospital where the participants learnt suturing, CPR, and protein testing, Weta FX, and Parliament.
They also visited the Brian Perry Civil Contracting bridge site, and went ice skating at Brewtown. Deborah also described the process of her ‘innovation challenge’ which explored the use of bus stops with sensors. It was clear that Deborah made the most of this opportunity, particularly with her interest in the sciences and medicine. Deborah thanked Eastern Hutt Rotary for the support given.
Olamide and Kenny spoke of their fascinating, but difficult, journey of initially leaving Nigeria to work in South Africa, to improve the family’s prospects. They found that while studying in South Africa it became increasingly more difficult to find work as foreigners, particularly due to policy changes and the attitude from some towards new migrants. This precipitated a move to New Zealand. Olamide described the ‘hoops’ the family needed to ‘jump through’ with immigration requirements, but indicated the family had always felt welcomed in their new home of New Zealand. Apart from Deborah, Olamide and Kenny have three other daughters, one of whom is presently in Canada. Olamide currently works in an early childhood centre and Kenny works for NZ Post. An amazingly positive and friendly family.
