UNIC Nairobi mobilizes Kenyan students to honour peacekeepers

The United Nations Information Centre in Nairobi, in collaboration with the Ministry of State for Defense in Kenya, conducted a ceremony to share Messages of Peace with Kenyan Peacekeepers on 10 December 2010. The event was meant to recognize and remember Kenyan troops providing peace and security in many crisis areas around the world during the festive season.

UNIC Nairobi mobilized pupils from Nairobi schools to personally prepare Christmas cards, letters and messages of peace for the peacekeepers.

The programme was started in 2005 and this year over 1,000 cards and letters were presented to the Chief of Defence Forces, General Jeremiah M. Kianga who was the chief guest, at the ceremony attended by four hundred and sixty pupils and their teachers from various institutions. 

In his remarks, General Kianga expressed his gratitude by saying: "In the environment of modern peacekeeping, there is nothing more motivating and lifting than getting goodwil messages and greetings from home.  We are therefore touched and humbled by the recognition of our peacekeeping efforts abroad by the children of Kenya before us today, who represent the future of this country.  I know all soldiers share these feelings."

Other guests included a representative from the City Council Education Department, Millan Nyota, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, who addressed the pupils and the uniformed staff, among other guests.

Before presenting the boxes containing the messages, four pupils, two girls and two boys, read selected letters and cards to the invited guests. The United Nations was represented by UNICEF Regional Director Elhadj As Sy, who also made brief remarks on the important role of Kenyan troops in UN peacekeeping operations and commended the country for consistently participating in United Nations Peacekeeping operations since 1989.