Mr. Speaker,

As we commemorate Black History Month, it is with great pleasure that I rise and pay tribute to a truly remarkable individual.

Mr. Benjamin Osei is a man who has triumphed insurmountable odds, to turn personal tragedy into a lifeline, which is today saving the youth at risk in my riding of York West.

In 1985 Benjamin was tutoring in Kabala, Africa and set up a bakery with a partial aim of assisting displaced youth with skill development. In 1991 War broke out in Sierra Leone. Soldiers confiscated the bakery and later massacred his first wife and children.

He was taken captive, confined and tortured before his miraculous escape.

Benjamin came to Canada and earned a Masters degree in Divinity from the Acadia University in Nova Scotia. His subsequent vision to return to his native Ghana was undermined, as he became the victim of an attempted kidnapping.

He remarried and returned to Canada, supporting his family by working factory jobs during the day and faithfully serving the community as a full-time youth worker for the Jane and Finch community.

He has been able to establish a successful youth outreach at night and on week-ends, teaching the youth life skill that might not be taught at home where parents, mainly single mothers, have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.

He currently runs basketball programs for 60 boys and girls and also organizes a girls-only club, with activities such as skating and cooking, while assisting the poor in the community.

Benjamin has truly demonstrated that great adversity can birth great opportunity, compassion, and determination. His resolve to see others achieve success, and not to accept defeat in spite of their circumstances, is outstanding.

Mr. Speaker,

Our community is indeed blessed with the exceptional example of good citizenship, and sacrifice of Mr. Benjamin Osei.

Thank you