FRIDAY; 27Th July 2012

The GAT: P Group

How the five days have elapsed is something beyond my understanding. Sunday arrivals looks just like yesterday. Monday and Tuesday were full of introduction and making new friends; friends with whom we would share a lot about sustainability, about the IB and about life in general.

With New Friends At The Beach

This has been the best learning forum because we had a lot of fun beside the tight sharing and interaction sessions in Global Action Team(GAT) groups and the speeches. The IBWSC Vancouver World Cup was such fun that I played everyday, every game. How much fun!

With New Friends At The Beach

For me, this week has been an experience of its kind. I learned a lot, especially about sustainability. I got the opportunity to visit some of the most spectacular places in Vancouver, like the beach and the Vancouver Aquarium. By myself, I would not have ever afforded such an opportunity. Thus I would like to specially thank the Oxford Study Courses for this spectacular chance. I am also very grateful to all those who made it possible for me to attend this 2012 IBWSC Vancouver; May you be blessed in all that you do.




I feel very much indebted to you all, the UBC and the IB Organization for the nice treatment I have received in my time; and I shall strive in all my little ways to enable others enjoy the same advantage in the future. I don't want to leave UBC, I don't want to leave my nice friends, I don't miss home!

THURSDAY; 26Th July 2012.

The IBWSC Participants Going On-board

... The day ended with the lifetime experience in the cruise ship. Many of us had never taken a cruise in their life! Coupled with the cruise dance, it then became an 'Heaven on Earth'! Nothing like it before.

Sunset At Vancouver Coastline- Taken from the Ship.

I can't believe it is Friday morning. I have made so many friends from around the globe( like from the USA, Singapore, Ecuador, Venezuela, China, Canada, Ghana, Nigeria...The List is endless). A strong bond it has become within these few days! I don't want to part with all of you so soon; I don't miss tomorrow.

From Aboard

Nordiques- The Feared Soccer Team

But one thing remains significant to me: I now realize that I am not the only one in the world who cares about sustainability. With all these friends who have a passion for making the world a better place, then we can revolutionize the world in sustainability.







Starting with me, and then you, and then each of us starting a ripple-effect; we can make this world the place where we want the future generations to be. Change begins with me/us.

THURSDAY; 26Th JULY 2012.

In The Flower Garden- After The Canopy Walk

 Vancouver has such a spectacular environment- the green trees all over, the nice coastline, the fresh air...; a place where one would wish to belong to forever and ever. Our fourth day started with the amazing speech by Robert Winson. To get the opportunity to listen to the UBC Alumni is by itself a big honor. It was a great speech.

With Friends In The Vancouver Aquarium

'Spreading The Word'was chosen to be our GAT group topic of presentation. We believe that this should be the first point of attaining sustainability. It involves getting informed at a personal level, getting to know what your neighbour thinks about sustainability and then uniting as one body with a common goal to reach out to the world and preach the 'sustainability gospel'.



We believe the individual is very important in sustainability and one should initiate a ripple-effect as a starting point.

Amazing Aquatic Life

The Vancouver Aquarium visit was one of its kind and the nice picnic topped it up. The Variety of aquatic life on earth shocked me and we learned that; what they have there is just a tip of the ice-berg!!

The Beluga Whales!!!

Thank you very much to all those who made it possible for the IBWSC Vancouver delegates to have such an experience. ...

WEDNESDAY; 25Th July 2012.

With Severn Cullis-Suzuki

Talk of pioneering the start of  sustainability starting with 'the individual' concerned and the name Severn Cullis-Suzuki comes into your mind. I was totally inspired by her speech of 1992 in the UN summit. I was persuaded to try to take action towards sustainability on a personal basis. And what is more?; she has lived her passion for the 20 years since then.

The Nordiques Team- Amazing.

Today, the GAT: P was particularly amazing. Explaining sustainability without using words or speech needed much creativity. An idea about the Ripple Effect seemed amazing. It showed how the individual starts engaging in sustainability and then the effect spreads all over to communities beyond. Therefore we got to understand that change begins with us.



The IBWSC World Cup Soccer tournament went to another level with the finals due to be played on Friday. While  I am not sure whether my team shall be fortunate enough to take part in the finals, I am very proud of my valued contribution to make the Nordigues Team so wonderful (with my score for the last game being 7goals of the 8 goals)

The Memorable Kutapira Dance

The day ended at a joyful note with the priceless entertainment from the Kutapira Dance Group. What a talent!! We all had fun and we  really danced to exhaustion. Thank you very much.

One Of The 'Greenest Houses' On Earth

The IBWSC, Vancouver is just amazing; an experience not to be missed. We couldn't be in a better place today. Special thanks to all the  organizers of this wonderful event. 

TUESDAY; 24Th July 2012.

With Some of My New Friends

Second day already over?; I can't believe it! The fun we are having here makes the moments pass so swiftly! Right from the start of the day with the delicious breakfast, then the amazing speeches and the wonderful GAT group sessions; not forgetting the IB World Cup matches- then a day is just a wink and a blink of an eye.

The Amazing IBWSC Word Cup Venue

On The Soccer Pitch

Today, I had a lot of fun. The Singing Session was just wholesome. I was nominated to teach the singing group a Swahili song. This song is called "Hakuna Matata", which means ' There is no problems'. It is a very favorite song that is taught to all our visitors in Kenya. So, when I stood at the front of the IB delegates in the CIRS theater, I was overwhelmed with the joy of having the chance to share my culture with all the IB delegates.


The GAT group (GAT: P) is just amazing. We get to share our views about sustainability in an involved and an interactive environment. Today we brainstormed about how we would introduce a sustainability strategy and action process in our communities back home. I am so happy to be learning about sustainability and how important it is in our modern society. Amazing, too, is the fact that all the categories of sustainability(political, environmental, social,...) are inter-related and none of them can work without the other.

I learned a very important quote today, "The world is run by those who turn up". I think this quote shall have a significant effect on my life and shall enable me 'make hay while the sun shines'.

MY SINCERE GRATITUDE

Excited About Canada

Attending the IBWSC in Vancouver, Canada??!! This is a dream-come-true! There is no better, an educational forum than this! Talk about the IB values' development, about internationalism, about networking and global-thought-stimulation, about ...! All the latter is plenty in the IBWSC. Therefore, I am very excited to be part of this positively-impacting global conference.

 I am in-deed very grateful to the  Oxford Study Courses  for offering me this lifetime opportunity to attend the IB World Students' Conference in Vancouver this year. This is a price-less opportunity for me to learn about Sustainability in depth, make new global friends and learn much more about the IB as a global educational institution.

Arrival At Vancouver International Airport.

I have been very excited straight form the first time I learned that I had been offered this chance to attend the conference; I have impatiently yearned for the kick-off of the conference. But although it almost took an eternity, here we are at  last and the first day is already gone! So far, I can say IT IS AMAZING!

Our Amazing Residence For The IBWSC Week

Therefore, I make it my personal responsibility, to make absolute positive use of this golden opportunity; so as to enable others to enjoy the same advantage in the future. This, I think, will foster sustainability.