Volunteer Adviser (VA) Testimonials

2007 - CESO celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

We asked our Volunteer Advisers (VAs) what CESO has meant to them and, listed in order of receipt, this is what they said:

Congratulations to management, staff and members of CESO|SACO on the occasion of forty years of helping developing countries move forward! My involvement as a VA helped me to understand the very importance for seasoned and experienced Canadians, to share their knowledge with the world, where needed.

Soren Sondergaard

Congratulations CESO on reaching the Ruby anniversary. I have been working with CESO International since 1995 and the Aboriginal Women For Tomorrow program for the past two years. Since I have been with CESO I have learned how to work more effectively and directly with various peoples. I have learned more about people in the past 13 years than I learned in the previous 20 years.

Douglas Johnson

CESO is our way of helping Canada, our homeland, to share experience with others on this planet. Thanks CESO.

Richard & Susan Bill

I am proud to be Canadian. Countries, like people, should be judged by their good deeds and CESO is one of Canada’s very good deeds. Happy 40th birthday, CESO!

Ira Teich

CESO provided me an opportunity to give something back to the world in return for the abundance & good fortune that I have been blessed with in this lifetime. CESO truly makes a difference in lives wherever they are active.

Alta Alta & Faye Miles

(My CESO assignment in) Bolivia was one of the most personally rewarding, memorable experiences of my life. Hopefully, I left a positive impression of Canadian professionalism in my field.

Richard V. Nahabedian

CESO in a few words has enabled me : To stay current, alert and contribute to improvement and people empowerment while making friends around the world.

Hospitably Yours, Michel Crovisier

Congratulation CESO on celebrating a Ruby Anniversary..... One enjoys working to make a difference and when returning I always have a greater appreciation to live in this great country.

Peter Howard

I estimate I may have recruited as many as 1000 VAs during thirteen years as an in-house recruiter. Combined with three assignments in Costa Rica, Estonia and China, my association with CESO has been among the most gratifying experiences of my life. It truly was a second career.

Regards, Leo Middlestadt

Congratulations on CESO's 40th year!

What CESO has meant to me... I am in Georgia, Europe on a CESO assignment as I jot down what CESO has meant to me. It has given me an opportunity to contribute to world devlopment, albeit in a small way. Any contribution I may have contributed however is far outweighed by what I received - greater understanidng of world issues, knowledge of cultures around the world, and meeting outstanding people along the way. Many, many thanks.

Regards, Judy Easley

CESO provided the opportunity to give time, energy and training in the field of my expertise, communications, without primary or immediate thought of financial gain.

Emile Latour

As a new arrival to Canada, CESO allowed me to learn about issues related to a better-off country. Having worked for 38 years with UN agencies (UNICEF & WHO) on problems of developing countries, the mission I did with the Cree Clan in Wimendji made me see how materially affluent people can have development issues similar to those of poorer nations.The success of CESO can be attributed to its work both with indigenous peoples as well as internationally, a mission it should continue in the future.

Fouad Kronfol

CESO provided me an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise with Chinese colleagues, to learn about their culture and history, to make new friends.

Richard Layne

I retired from my position of Chairman and CEO of a Montreal manufacturing company and found a home in CESO, where I can give back to the community my wealth of experience.

I worked in the Aboriginal communities and found that the most important concept that I am able to communicate to the clients is to focus on a single most important element of their project to be able to achieve desired results.

Tom P. Kramer, B.Sc., B.A., P. Eng.

Congratulations to CESO and All it's supporters on its 40th anniversary.

CESO projects have enabled us to make many new friends, learn new traditions and to pass on our knowledge to others. We hope to continue to do so. Thank you CESO.

Steve & Linda Whale

One works very hard during their career at gaining as many skills as possible and contributing to their profession. As a woman who began her career in the late 60'ies and who aspired early on to management positions, the road was more challenging than for most men and required a broader array of skills to achieve the same level of success in the workplace and in society. When I arrived at the stage when financial and family commitments have largely been met, CESO has provided me with opportunities to contribute those hard earned skills both nationally and internationally through volunteering. I am grateful for the people who envisaged this organization 40 years ago and am proud to be identified with its services.

Working as a Volunteer Advisor with committed First Nations people who are working hard to build an economic base for their people has been rewarding.

I have been impressed and encouraged by their efforts and inspired to continue to grow professionally in order to better serve. The experiences of living in the homes of people in one developing nation provided me with friends, experiences, and a level of understanding of the challenges of economic development that has affected how I perceive the news of this global village where we live.

There is much more CESO can be and do in the next decade. I look forward to the challenges!.

Mary Reeves

Ceso gives me the chance to employ my business skills, and enjoy the energy, fun and stimulating ideas the clients bring to the table.

Ray Busbridge

CESO has been instrumental in furthering my education into different cultures, religions, and customs. The old adage "You're never too old to learn", is certainly a significant aspect of my CESO experience. Sharing my knowledge and gaining additional knowledge has made every CESO assignment a new and rewarding experience.

Ron Wells

My three assignments have been with First Nations people and I have learned so much about the problems they face. I feel strongly that CESO can provide much help in enabling them to develop greater capability in business, education, and governance. I am sure that I have learned more from them than they have from me in the work we have done together.

Cyril Allan

Eighteen years as a VA involved various First Nations projects in Saskatchewan. Projects were well received in large and small groups. These contacts resulted in a better understanding of the future needs of First Nations people. Respect and understanding of their culture was gained. Friendships were made. I continue to dialogue with people I have met. Congratulations CESO on your 40th Anniversary.

John Chernoff

Both my experiences with CESO to Developing Country's (Transylvania, Romania and Bolivia) were exciting but my trip into the Bolivian Jungle Rainforest to help Tahuamanu develop a HACCP Process for the Brazil Nut Production has to have been a life time experience. To travel in the Pando Region Rainforest and work with the Castaneros is like going to another world. Thank you for the experiences.

Keith Eady

My world is richer, bigger and changed. Contact with clients in San Fernando, Phillinpines and San Salvador has created new friendships and never-to-be-forgotten knowledge.

Shirley Wong

I have just finished my 3rd CESO assignment, I never look at the website to see what and where there are opportunities to assist with my business knowledge, only if a recruiter calls, then I know that it fits my expertise. All 3 assignments allowed me to assist the companies.

During retirement it is great, when healthy, to be able to keep the brain functioning, CESO has allowed me to do that. Assignments also gave me a perspective of how other countries, companies and people function. On my first assignment I learned the most about how far we are advanced in the business world. On my last assignment especially, I feel strongly that my advise is taken seriously and the company is in a turn around mode.

Congratulations CESO|SACO on your Ruby anniversary, you are making a difference!!!

I look forward to other assignments in the future.

Regards, Casey Hoogeveen.

Retirement from work that I had enjoyed for 32 years at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto seemed to come far too early.  Then I heard about CESO and have been working as a Volunteer Adviser ever since. But my very first project in l992 was the highlight, viz: "to provide training in Hospital Management for the staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Dominica".  What a fit!

Johanne Ratz

Thanks for the update and congratulations on the milestone! CESO means new friendships and unforgettable experiences for us. Thank you for your support,

Robert and Iva Gocky

The CESO concept of "volunteers sharing a life time of experience" continues to provide high quality professional expertise at low cost to many developing countries.

Sincerely, Mike Jenkinson

CESO offers the opportunity to forge great friendhips. Apart from the assistance rendered, building bridges of understanding globally. Best wishes on it's 40th. anniversary.

Chris Defonseka

The one assignment given to me was Bebamikawe Studios, at a reservation in Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island. It was very encouraging to find I could help with all their problems. While there I gained an appreciation of their challenges that makes me more appreciative of my life.

Paul DiNovo

CESO has given me the opportunity to enrich the lives of many. That's the rarest and most valuable accomplishment in anyone's life. Thanks CESO!

Congratulations!

George Katsarov, P.Eng.

On behalf of the Southern Alberta CESO Club we would like to offer our congratulations to CESO on 40 years of service. Our International, Aboriginal, and Clients at Home, we are sure, have been well served by our corps of Volunteer Advisors and staff. It has been a great opportunity for Volunteer Advisors to stay active and very gratifying to be able to extend their expertise to others. We thank you. 

Thomas Eldon Loucks
President, Southern Alberta CESO Club

Utilizing my lifetime of business skills to help clients in Russia and Serbia as a Canadian CESO volunteer has provided personal satisfaction, knowing I have made a difference.

Tom Sander

Many Many Congratulations to CESO on its Ruby Anniversary. 

I have been associated with CESO for only 3 years and already CESO gave me an opportunity to visit China twice. CESO gave me an opportunity to visit places such as Inner Mongolia that I only read in our text books and always wondered how it would be to experience their culture. My visit to the Shihezi Institute of vegetable crops in Xinjiang was equally rewarding experience for both the client and myself. I was most impressed by their humility. I was able to use my expertise where it was most needed and was able to train the scientists in diagnosing crop diseases. It is a real treat to work with CESO; it would be hard to find another organization that is as efficient. I wish CESO all the best to achieve its noble mission. Congratulations again.

Prem Kharbanda

CESO has given me more confidence to deal with unexpected conditions in work and in life.

CESO has taught me to adjust well and live in difficult and varying conditions.

CESO clients have taught me to listen more and understand different points of view.

CESO clients have learnt to make the best under worst circumstances.

Congratulations to CESO on its Ruby Anniversary

Monohar Parrab

"CESO is the opportunity to ride on the back of a shiny new motorcycle, through the crowded streets of Ouagadougou, hanging on for dear life to an elegantly dressed Burkinabe woman, while waving and smiling at the awestruck pedestrians, car and donkey drivers...priceless!!"

There are lots of wonderful stories but this one will last a lifetime..just thinking about it makes me smile!

Sincerely, Susan Wetmore

I have done 21 National and 14 International assignments since I joined in 1998. This has been a most exciting and rewarding experience. I have used all of my skills on assignments, including those learned as a farmer, research scientist and manager! Being a VA has also given me a reason to keep up-to-date on the latest agricultural technology.

Working directly with local people nationally and internationally on practical solutions and assisting them to help themselves has been very rewarding. It is often a challenge to advise clients to do what is needed in ways that are acceptable to them, realizing that different cultures are involved. Working with clients and developing their trust is a most rewarding experience. I have maintained contact with several clients or staff and it is exciting to follow their progress and achievements. 

Dean Struble