13 February 2010

Nangina, Kenya: UNV volunteer Nivah 'Tiga' Odwori, who died in the Haiti earthquake on 12 January, has been laid to rest in her native Kenya.

Preceded by a memorial service in Nairobi, the funeral in Nangina village, Busia district, was attended by about 350 people. They included many of Nivah's family and friends from around the world, plus prominent dignitaries and UNV and UN colleagues.

Among Ms. Odwori's relatives at the funeral were Kenya's Regional Development Minister, Fredrick Gumo. He was joined by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his wife Mrs. Ida Odinga, and Minister of Lands Hon. Aggrey James Orengo, as well as a number of other members of the Kenyan government. Representing the UN in Kenya was Tomoko Nishimoto, UNDP Country Director.

Svend Amdi Madsen from the UNV senior management team joined the ceremony and read out a message on behalf of all UNV volunteers and staff. He noted Nivah's dedication to voluntary action, and described her work with the Red Cross in Kenya and as a UNV volunteer in Nepal. Nivah's work in Nepal preceded her assignment as a District Coordinator with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

"As a lifelong volunteer, Nivah Odwori demonstrated a true commitment to the cause of peace and development," said Mr. Madsen. "Her contribution will not be forgotten."

"Those paying tribute to Nivah spoke of her as a young, determined and warm-hearted woman who shared her time, her energy and her intellect to help others in need," added Julia Albert-Recht, the UNV Programme Officer in Kenya.

Her UNV colleague from Haiti, Fai Collins Dzernuy, wrote the following lines about Nivah Odwori:

"Her footprints are stamped in the hearts of many who interacted with her. Nobody who met her could stay indifferent because there was a magnetic force, her gracefulness, her soft spoken nature and her outreaching and proactive nature… The UNV volunteers have not only lost a colleague but a rainbow. Though her stay was brief in Haiti, she will remain an inspiration and hope to many."

UNV has set up an electronic condolences page open to all UNV volunteers and staff past and present, to UN colleagues, and to members of the public who wish to express their thoughts and feelings. Readers are welcome to write in any language.