Abigail Scott - Ghana

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Abigail is the 2012 Africa Pavilion Female Adult Ambassador.
 

 Haben Alemseghed Asghedom - Eritrea

 Haben-Alem was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. His parents are originally from Eritrea located in east Africa just north of Ethiopia. His parents migrated to Canada in the 1980s after being evacuated by the war taken place between Eritrea and Ethiopia. He had the opportunity to visit Eritrea back in 2002 to understand and appreciate his roots and culture.

Haben-Alem is a first year student at the University of Winnipeg currently in the faculty of Education and he hopes to teach early-middle stream years (Kindergarten - Grade 8) overseas preferably in areas of Africa, China and Japan. He recently attended St. Maurice for high school and graduated last year. He was awarded the John and Toni Scatliff Humanitarian Award, which also came with a scholarship that helped with his education. He was also a member of the student council, as the Vice President and organized various events such as a talent show, two spirit weeks and a gym riot.

He has danced for the African Pavilion for 9 years (2000-2008) and he has participated in many other volunteer opportunities. Currently he is an assistant coach for the Junior Varsity St. Maurice boys basketball team; he previously coached 2 years of his time with the grade 7 and 8 boys basketball team and led them to two-finalist banners and a championship at the St. Paul’s tournament. He currently volunters at the Victor Mager boys and girls club supervising and playing different sports, helping with homework, and making arts and crafts. 

He loves to participate in a number of sports such as basketball, soccer, track, volleyball, badminton, and cross-country. He also loves to meet new people and learn different things. Haben is very easy to get along with and he is also a very social person. He is a good listener so if you need someone to talk to he's all ears! Haben believes it’s an honor to be selected as an African Ambassador and he's looking forward to seeing you at the Africa Pavilion!

 Tamika Lughas - Nigeria

 Tamika is 16 years old. She is in grade 11 and she attends St. Boniface diocesan high school. She was born and raised in Canada with her older sister, twin sister and little brother. Her parents came to Canada from Nigeria. 

Tamika is a very loving person who enjoys listening to music, writing poems, playing basketball and archery but most importantly she loves helping people by listening to their problems or needs. One of the most important things she appreciates doing is volunteering because she learns a lot of new things and she helps others in many different ways. 

She's done a lot of volunteering in her life...such as being at the children’s museum, her church and many festivals and events but one that stands out to her would be the boys and girls club because she grew up in that community so she feels she needs to give back to what help raised her and made her into who she is today. When she grows up, she would love to become a psychologist because she loves associating herself will others and being of social service to people when they need help. 

Tamika has been a part of the African Pavilion since she was little and she has been dancing in the pavilion since she was six years old. She started volunteering in the kitchen the past two years then she became a tour guide last year and now she's an ambassador. She is very excited to be the female youth ambassador for the African Pavilion because seeing her older sister become the ambassador in 2008 inspired her so much. She believes that it will be a great experience to learn a lot of interesting things and cultures. 

Tamika would also love to share the African culture with others. This is something she's always wanted to do since she was little so now that she's an Ambassador she can learn a lot about other cultures and also teach hers. She states "I hope to inspire others just like my sister inspired me."

Tamika is the 2012 Africa Pavilion Female Youth Ambassador.
 

 Ralu Eze - Nigeria

 Ralu Eze was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, but has lived in Winnipeg since 1999. His parents are of the Igbo ethnic group located in south-eastern Nigeria. He is currently in the 11th grade enrolled at St. Boniface Diocesan High School, where he works hard to achieve high grades. He is also actively involved in the school’s extracurricular activities such as student council, track and field, and soccer.

He enjoys being a volunteer both inside and outside the African community. He is part of the Patients Library Services volunteer team of St. Boniface General Hospital, delivering reading material to the patients while communicating with them. Since 2009 he has also been helping the staff and guests of the Manitoba Children’s Museum. Ralu has always been very keen in participating in the different African affairs of Winnipeg. From the age of 8 years he has been one of the Pavilion’s dedicated cultural performers, and has been a helping hand in setting up tables and/or serving food from time to time. 

His hefty involvement in the Umunna Igbo Cultural Association of Manitoba Inc. (a Nigerian community in Manitoba) has helped him experience and appreciate the various jewels of his Nigerian culture. From the vibrant dressing to the unique drumming/dancing to being taught about the importance of giving elders respect, Ralu has built a gradual understanding of what it means to be African. His African pride would like to be further displayed as he fulfills his duties as 2012 Youth Ambassador.

Ralu is the 2012 Africa Pavilion Male Youth ambassador.