HKI Celebrates Helen Keller’s Birthday Around the World

New York, July 21, 2005 – In honor of what would have been Helen Keller’s 125th birthday, Helen Keller International (HKI) celebrated Helen Keller’s indomitable spirit and staunch determination to help the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged, and saluted the efforts of staff worldwide on June 27, 2005.  HKI paid special tribute to the 56 individuals who reached milestones of 5, 10, 15, or 20 years and have collectively given 430 years of service.

HKI President and CEO Kathy Spahn said of HKI’s staff, “You are our most valuable resource.  It is your skill, knowledge, commitment and creativity that make us stand out...as a leader in nutrition and eye health.  Those of you who have been with us for many years have played an especially invaluable role; your passion, experience and dedication have brought us to where we are today – 25 countries strong.”

Around the world, HKI staff continued the agency’s tradition of commemorating Helen Keller’s birthday.  In Bangladesh, which boasted the highest number of honorees this year, several staff members commented on the importance of the day.  Receptionist Nasrin Jahan, who is visually impaired, also spoke of the need for more positions employing those with disabilities, stating that relevant training is readily available as a result of modern technology.  At the headquarters in New York, staff gathered to recognize the dedicated individuals celebrating special anniversaries, including members of the domestic ChildSight® team.  Staff in the Philippines took advantage of the day to provide program updates and group presentations.

Together with a representative from Africare, HKI hosted representatives from the government and international and local organizations at an open house in Guinea.  The event highlighted nutrition and breastfeeding for HIV/AIDS, vitamin A supplementation and a community-based pregnancy surveillance program.  HKI concluded the open house by presenting four tons of premix to the Great Mills of Guinea for flour fortification. Meanwhile in Mali, the 125th birthday celebration was attended by Chad MacArthur, HKI Director of Training, Community Education, and Trachoma in New York, and Jennifer Liesbertein, Director of the Trachoma Program for the Hilton Foundation. In Nigeria, HKI-staff shared a cake with its partners and other guests who were present.

From left to right: HKI-Regional Office for Africa; HKI-Bangladesh; HKI-Cambodia.

From left to right: HKI-Cameroon; HKI-Côte d’Ivoire; HKI-Guinea.

From left to right: HKI-Mali; HKI-Nepal; HKI-Nigeria.

From left to right: HKI-Philippines; HKI-Headquarters.