Patricia Kumbakisaka - DR Congo

My name is Patricia Kumbakisaka; I was born in Romania Bucharest in Eastern Europe. My family is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa. I lived in Romania for 3 years, and then my family moved to Greece, Athens where we stayed for 7 years and then we immigrated to Canada in the year 2000 - reasons for my dad’s journalism job. I speak and write in five languages: French, English, Greek, Swahili and Romanian.

I am a third year University student at the University of Manitoba studying Political science (International relations) with a minor in sociology and hoping to work in the Canadian foreign affairs as an ambassador with the United Nations.

In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, playing basketball, volunteering at my church teaching Sunday school or involved helping with the kids program, volunteering at the Manitoba legislative building, CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) and every summer I volunteer with Folklorama, Africa pavilion.

I am also a member of the Manitoba Young Liberal Party, and in 2010 I got selected by Folk Arts Council to be a member of its Youth Committee.

Patricia is the 2011 Africa Pavilion Female Adult Ambassador.
 

Jennie Gorvie - Sierra Leone, Kenya

Jennie Gorvie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her father is from Sierra Leone and her mother is from Kenya. She loves to play soccer, basketball, and paint African flags. 

Jennie would like to be an Adult Female Ambassador because she wants the visitors to the Africa Pavilion to know about our community, culture and our way
of life. She enjoys meeting new people and learning about their culture.

Jennie shares two ethnicities: Kikuyu and Mende. These two cultures share some common cultural beliefs and customs for example respect for your elders and marriage customs like polygamy. In the home, the older children help take care of the younger children and also help with chores and it’s common for people to help support their relatives. When people meet strangersthey always greet each other. 

In the Mende culture, a family will usually eat together from the same tray using their hands. In kikuyu culture it is common to drink chai many times a day and after meals. Both cultures respect nature. Kikuyu are mostly farmers while the Mende farm and fish. Kikuyu believed in Ngai. They believed he lived inthe skies above Mount Kenya.

Jennie’s favorite book is Anne Frank and her favorite TV show is the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She also loves listening to music from all over Africa.

Ernestho Huletey - Ghana

Ernestho was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His parents migrated to Canada from Ghana. He is a Grade 9 student at St. Paul’s High School. He attended St. Maurice school from kindergarten to grade 8. He has been volunteering at the African Pavilion for the past 11 years; as a dancer since age 4 and also at the cash register assistant for the last 3 years.

Ernestho enjoys and actively participates in a number of activities both at school and within the community with lots of enthusiasm and interest. He has been involved and/or volunteered for a lot of activities, including organizing surprise parties for his class teacher, helping with fund raising activities,  helping coach the girls and boys developmental basketball team, and helping out with the lunch program among others. He has participated in all kinds of sports including Volleyball, Flag Football, Basketball and Badminton. In all, he has great passion  for  basketball.

Ernestho also likes to volunteer at the YMCA, serving mass at church and helping other family members with baby sitting and other chores. He is also very technically inclined and likes to figure out things on the computer and other electronics.

Ernestho has visited Ghana and Togo a few times. He is very proud of his African heritage and would like to share his experiences with the rest of the world, in particular, Manitobans during the 2011 Folklorama festival at the African Pavilion.

Ernesto is the 2011 Africa Pavilion Male Youth Ambassador.
 

Akosua Bonsu - Ghana

Akosua is a 16 years old, grade 11 student at Miles Macdonell Collegiate. In school, she is a straight-A student enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. She's been on the basketball and track team since grade 7 and she is also involved in the Key Club, the Mentorship and Tutoring Program, the Leadership Team, and the Yearbook Committee. 

She was part of 150 students to represent her school and province in Ottawa at Encounters With Canada: International Affairs: a week-long youth program designed for students who are interested in learning more about Canada, learning more about international affairs, and making new friends from all across the country. 

She has been volunteering since age 12 with organizations such as Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Cheer Board, and Siloam Mission. The most notable of my volunteer experiences would be at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, where I volunteer year-round.  

Akosua's parents are from Ghana. She is fluent in English, French, and her native language, Twi. She loves sharing her culture with other people, and likes to learn about other cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. 

From the age of 5, she has been a performer at the Africa Pavilion, and from about 8 years, she has been helping in the kitchen.

Akosua is the 2011 Africa Pavilion Female Youth ambassador.