Breaking Chains: A Former Child Soldier’s Story of Resilience and Service

Born and raised in a remote village in Sierra Leone, Paul’s early life was defined by relentless hardship, growing up in extreme poverty with no access to basic necessities like clean water, electricity, or schools. At the age of 16, during the Sierra Leone Civil War, Paul was abducted and forced to become a child soldier. He eventually escaped but was homeless and survived on the streets by begging and working as a porter in local markets. 

Paul’s fortune shifted when an American missionary recognized his passion for education and supported him through high school and university. Against extraordinary odds, he became the first in his family to graduate with a university degree followed by two master’s degrees from Nigeria and France and a PhD in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland.

Now based in Edmonton, Paul mentors African immigrant youth, offering academic support, career guidance, and motivational sessions. He recently founded the Harmony Habitat Foundation; a nonprofit seeking to bridge cultural divides and empower immigrant communities to engage in environmental sustainability and to create a shared sense of responsibility for the province's natural resources and ecosystems.

Paul’s story is a testament to the unyielding resilience of the human spirit and the profound transformations made possible through education and compassion. It mirrors Rotary’s unwavering mission: to uplift communities, foster leadership, and build bridges of understanding through meaningful services and actions.

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Stew will be covering the transformative results of ICE District on Downtown Edmonton. He will review the initial vision and what has been built to date, plus a look at the recently announced Phase II, which is comprised of the lands to the east and north of Rogers Place, and includes and Event Park and Residential Village.

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Rotary Club of Edmonton Town Hall style meeting

All members and guests welcome to attend.

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Alberta Health Services (AHS) is responsible for delivering health services to more than 4.4 million people living in Alberta, as well as to some residents of Saskatchewan, B.C. and the Northwest Territories.

On January 8, 2025 Andre Tremblay became the interim AHS President and CEO.

Topic description pending as of Oct 20th.

Andre Tremblay appointment announcement Feb 2025

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Rotarian Lianne Lefsrud, who is a Past-Secretary of our Rotary Club, as the guest speaker for our Rotary meeting on November 3rd with Scott Montgomery as the Chair of the Day

Dr. Lianne M. Lefsrud, PEng

Chris LaBossière, President of the Juno Beach Centre Association in Canada

https://www.junobeach.org/the-juno-beach-centre-welcomes-new-president/

Welcome To  The Juno Beach Centre

The Juno Beach Centre is Canada’s Second World War museum and cultural centre located in Normandy, France. The Centre pays homage to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives during the War, of which 5,500 were killed during the Battle of Normandy and 381 on D-Day. Opened in 2003 by veterans and volunteers with a vision to create a permanent memorial to all Canadians who served during the Second World War, the Centre’s mandate is to preserve this legacy for future generations through education and remembrance.

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Dr. Jack Jhamandas is currently a Distinguished University Professor in the Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta. He received his BSc in Applied Physics and MSc in Biophysics from the University of Alberta, his MD from the University of Calgary and PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University. He completed his clinical training in Internal Medicine at the Toronto Western Hospital and in Neurology at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Dr. Jhamandas is a neurologist and neuroscientist whose research program on Alzheimer's disease has been funded by the CIHR and other agencies.

He has received the Gold Medal in Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; a Killam Professorship; a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Alzheimer's Research and elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He has published over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts and holds several patents.

The development of novel and effective disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. Over the past 25 years, Dr.  Jhamandas’ experimental studies that have advanced knowledge in this area and hold the promise of yielding novel therapeutics for the disease. He is President and CEO of  Egeiro Pharmaceuticals Inc. that he co-founded with Dr. Lorne Tyrrell and Sir Michael Houghton.

Summary of Presentation:
The development of novel and effective disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. In this talk Dr. Jhamandas will cover experimental studies that have advanced knowledge in this area and hold the promise of yielding transformative therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. A more detailed  account of Dr. Jhamandas and his team’s research efforts is profiled in the issue of the Edify Magazine (May/June, 2025 issue).
https://edifyedmonton.com/urban/innovation-technology/distant-memory/

BILD Edmonton Metro is the voice and expert resource for the real estate development industry in the Edmonton Metro Region, shaping our region to ensure more people and businesses choose to live, invest, and thrive here.

Kalen will be providing an update on downtown Edmonton development and how these projects will be further injecting vibrancy and durability to the downtown core.

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Past President Markus will review the 2024-2025 Rotary year ending June 30, 2025.

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Naheed Nenshi, Leader, Alberta New Democratic Party;   M.L.A., Edmonton Strathcona

Naheed is a Canadian politician who has served as the leader of the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) since 2024 and as leader of the Official Opposition since 2025. He previously served as the 36th mayor of Calgary for three terms from 2010 to 2021.  He became a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in June 2025, winning the Edmonton-Strathcona by-election.

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NOTE: Location changed for this special event from normal to the Chateau Louis Convention Centre.

Rotary Club of Edmonton West and Rotary Club of Edmonton are pleased to announced this combined club meeting to celebrate the holiday season.

Rotarians, and Friends are invited to attend this wonderful annual event for a turkey buffet with all the trimmings.

Location:

Chateau Louis Hotel and Convention Centre, St. Michaels Room
11727 Kingsway Avenue

 The doors will be open at 11:30 AM although the program will not start until Noon. 

Come prepared to engage in Christmas fellowship with fellow Rotary Club of Edmonton West members as well as Rotary Club of Edmonton and Rotaractors and be entertained.

The Honorable Paula Simons, Independent Alberta Senator, The Senate of Canada, Government of Canada

Senator Paula Simons will speak on why an independent non-partisan Senate matters now, more than ever, in a world turned upside down.

Click here to Register by Thursday noon January 1st!

Aurelio Fernandes is Portugal’s Honorary Consul in Edmonton Canada, a position he has held since 1999. As a founding member of the Canada Portugal Chamber in 1990, Aurelio oversaw the chamber’s growth in Alberta by promoting Portuguese trade tourism and Commerce between Western Canada and Portugal through a number of trade missions. The chamber was responsible for the growth of Portuguese imported products such as wine, ceramics, canned foods and construction materials in Alberta.

A graduate in Geology, with an entrepreneurial spirit, Aurelio has founded several companies where he was also responsible for international marketing, primarily in South America. He has also served on several Boards including the Canadian Association of Management Consultants (Edmonton Chapter), and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce World Trade Centre and the Senate of the University of Alberta. More recently, Aurelio taught international business and international marketing at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Business. He also currently consults with multinational companies in international trade and commerce. In 2024, Aurelio was elected President of the re-launched Portugal Canada Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 

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Join the Rotary Club of Edmonton for our Annual Robert Burns Luncheon at the Chateau Lacombe.

Enjoy a Scottish-inspired buffet featuring traditional haggis and other classic Scottish selections, accompanied by bagpipe music, Burns poetry, and a celebration of Scottish heritage. Our featured speaker will explore the life and legacy of Robert Burns, including the influence of Scots in Canada.

January 25 marks the 266th anniversary of Robert Burns’ birth, making this gathering a timely tribute to Scotland’s most celebrated poet.

SPEAKER:  Brian Hodgson is a distinguished Albertan whose multi-decade career spans national security, military leadership, legislative service, and public engagement.

His background and experiences make him an exceptionally well-qualified presenter to speak to Rotarians and their guests on matters Scottish and the memory of Robert Burns.

PIPER: Andy Smith took up the bagpipes in 2000 and, after honing his new musical vocation for a couple years, joined an Edmonton pipe and drum band. This led him to travelling in far off places all over the world where he played in pipe competitions and festivals.

Funds raised from the lunch and raffle will be for Kickstand - West Edmonton Mall provided for nutritional needs for youth ages 11–25 seeking free mental health counselling, substance use counselling, peer support, Indigenous wellness services, and primary health care. 

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DG Ramesh will be connecting "online" for his presentation to our club as he resides in Whitehorse Yukon but may be elsewhere in the district visiting other Rotary clubs . 

You may join us online or in person at the Chateau Lacombe Hotel.

For more info on Ramesh see the District Governor posting on 5370 website.

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Whether you register or not, you may also make a donation of the amount you choose for the Rotary International - End Polio Campaign.

With over 35 years of experience in Alberta and Manitoba’s post-secondary sectors, Dr. Michael (Mike) Mahon brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of research and innovation leadership to Alberta Innovates as the CEO.

President of the University of Lethbridge for 13 years, Dr. Mahon spearheaded the University’s largest capital campaign, during his tenure, for construction of the Science Commons, a major science and innovation facility.

See the Alberta Innovates website

See detailed information on Dr Mahon

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February is Black History Month. where we recognize the legacy and impact of African, Caribbean and Black Canadians and their communities.  (City of Edmonton)

Discover a unique, Afrocentric space in Edmonton designed to foster innovation, nurture talent, and build a thriving community for African-descent youth and professionals.

Emmanuel Onah is an employee of Reach Edmonton Council for Safe Communities.

Launch of Timbuktu Hub to empower young African Edmontonian entrepreneurs   Sept 3, 2025 CBC News

https://edifyedmonton.com/people/top-40/2024/emmanuel-onah/    Edify Edmonton article where Emmanuel was named Top 40 Under 40 for 2024.

https://timbuktuhub.ca/about-us/       Timbuktu overview 

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Jason Schilling was re-elected president in 2025, following six years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schilling chaired the Central Table Bargaining Committee and the Finance Committee, served as a member of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Committee, and acted as Provincial Executive Council liaison to the English Language Arts Council. As district representative, he chaired the Communication, Advocacy and Public Education Committee; the Strategic Planning Group; and the Teacher Education and Certification Committee. He also served as a member of the Central Table Bargaining Committee, the Curriculum Committee, the Pension Committee, the Political Engagement Committee and the Committee on Superintendents in the Teaching Profession.

Schilling was an English and drama teacher at Kate Andrews High School, in Coaldale, where he worked for 17 years. His assignments as president include chairing the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Committee, the Membership Eligibility Board and the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board, as well as serving as a member of the Strategic Planning Group and acting as Provincial Executive Council liaison to the English Language Arts Council and the Fine Arts Council. He also represents the Association on the Canadian Teachers’ Federation Board of Directors.

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Jason Bossert will review the past and future activities of the International Services Committee. 

Note this year's Belize playground construction is or was scheduled to place Friday February 6th to Monday February 9th 2026. with Rotarians from our club and other guests  This project comprises construction of a playground at Our Lady of the Way Catholic school in Ladyville Belize.  Ladyville is approximately 20 minutes north of Belize City, near the Belize airport.

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Purposeful Senior Living in Edmonton with Dignity and Compassion

Canterbury Foundation is a well-established assisted senior living community dedicated to upgrading the quality of life for seniors. Rooted in compassion, dignity, and respect, we offer a nurturing environment where residents feel safe, valued, and empowered. With over 50 years of experience, Canterbury has built a trusted legacy of care, delivering exceptional services tailored to the evolving needs of older adults.

Canterbury Foundation                      Canterbury is located in Laurier Heights at 8403 142 Street NW

 Since 2018, Heidi has been leading Canterbury’s efforts to provide exceptional care for seniors, including those living with dementia. With a Bachelor of Nursing, an executive MBA, and credentials as a Certified Executive Coach, Heidi brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, strategic thinking, and heartfelt compassion to everything she does.

 Driven by her passion for human connection, Heidi is a tireless advocate for enhancing seniors’ care services and ensuring that all residents, regardless of where they are at on their journey of aging, continue to live with dignity, joy, and purpose. Under her leadership, Canterbury is more than just a seniors’ residence — it’s a community where every person matters and every story is honored.