A Winter to Remember: My First Trip to Calgary, Canada (2003)

@ the University of Calgary with the Professor

*Reminiscences of Calgary and the Road to Rotary 2025

By Dr Joachim Ibeziako Ezeji

Ø Founder, Rural Africa Water Development Program (RAWDP),

Ø Magic President Rotary Club of Garki-Abuja 2024 – 2025

There are journeys that leave an imprint on the soul—moments that quietly shape the way we see the world. My first trip to Calgary, Canada, in February 2003, was one such experience. It wasn’t just a journey across borders; it was a journey into new knowledge, warm hospitality, and the sheer wonder of a snow-cloaked landscape.

The trip came on the gracious invitation of the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (CAWST), with part-funding by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). I had the privilege of attending an intensive training on Water Treatment Systems—an area close to my heart, rooted in a passion for sustainable development and community resilience. CAWST’s hands-on, knowledge-rich sessions expanded my understanding of low-cost water treatment technologies, practical system design, and the human-centered approach to water solutions.

But the journey wasn’t defined by learning alone.

Throughout my stay, I was hosted by a generous and delightful couple—Graham Foss and Ann Perodeau. Their home became more than a place of rest; it was a space of laughter, thoughtful conversation, and cultural exchange. From sharing meals to quiet reflections by the fireplace, Graham and Ann made Calgary feel like home in the heart of winter.

Outside the training, the city and its surrounding landscapes unveiled a magic all their own. February’s snow painted everything in a pristine white silence, and one of the most breathtaking highlights was our visit to the Rocky Mountains. The sheer majesty of those peaks, dusted in snow and standing tall against the winter sky, was a reminder of nature’s grandeur and stillness. Breathing in that cold, crisp mountain air was both grounding and invigorating.

We also ventured into the heart of Calgary’s culture—a night at the theater, where the art and storytelling of Canadian cinema came alive. I remember being both moved and entertained, savoring the subtle differences and universal themes that good stories always carry.

A visit to the University of Calgary added another dimension to the trip. Walking its snow-lined paths, exploring its world-class facilities, and engaging with the academic atmosphere gave me a deeper appreciation of Canada’s investment in knowledge and innovation.

Other explorations took us to charming downtown corners, local cafés, and community spaces that buzzed with both winter energy and quiet friendliness.

After two fulfilling and adventure-filled weeks in Calgary, we flew eastward to Toronto, where the energy was different—but no less inviting. There, we were honoured by a warm reception organized by the Broad African Resource Centre (BARC), a vibrant hub for African diaspora engagement. The event was well attended by members of the Nigerian community in Toronto, and it was both humbling and uplifting to connect with fellow Nigerians who continue to fly the flag proudly abroad.

While in Toronto, we also visited York University, engaging with students and faculty, exchanging ideas about development work, and exploring potential collaborations. But the highlight of our Eastern Canada leg was a speaking engagement at a conference hosted by the University of Ottawa. To reach Ottawa, I journeyed overnight by inter-city bus, traveling through the Canadian winter under a blanket of stars and quiet roads—a long ride that gave space for reflection and anticipation.

At the University of Ottawa, Barth Oparaji and I had the opportunity to share insights from our work with RAWDP, highlight the water challenges in rural Africa, and foster dialogue with academics, researchers, and development professionals. The experience was empowering and reaffirming—a sign that local action and global dialogue must always move in step.

Looking back, that trip was more than professional development—it was a complete experience of learning, cultural immersion, friendship, and nature. I returned home with new insights, not only about water treatment systems, but about what it means to connect—with people, with place, and with purpose.

Thank you, CAWST, CIDA, and especially Graham and Ann, for making my very first journey to this afar land, one I will cherish forever.

Interestingly, what began for me in 2003 as a professional step forward has now become part of a larger, more symbolic circle. Rotary’s 2025 Convention in Calgary is not just a return to a city—it’s a return to a calling. A gathering of global citizens who share a belief in Service Above Self, in clean water and dignity for all, in the bonds that grow across cultures and time zones.

As Rotarians, we understand the quiet power of service. We understand that clean water means health, opportunity, and peace. And we understand that some seeds—like those planted in a snow-covered city two decades ago—take time to blossom, but when they do, they bloom beyond borders.

So, when I step once more onto Calgary’s soil in 2025, it will not be for the first time. It will be as one whose roots were watered there, whose purpose was refined there, and whose heart was shaped by all the kindness Calgary gave.

The Rotary Values That Will Come Alive in Calgary:

· Clean Water and Sanitation: The heart of the CAWST mission I encountered in 2003.

· Global Understanding: Built through lasting relationships and intercultural learning.

· Fellowship: Experienced in the generous hospitality of Graham and Ann.

· Leadership and Learning: Nurtured in classrooms and mountain trails alike.

As we gather in Calgary for Rotary 2025, may we remember not just what we do, but why we do it. May each workshop, handshake, and story shared renew our belief in a better world.

And may the snow remind us that even the coldest places are full of warmth when we meet them with open hearts.

See you in Calgary—where full circles begin.