Today is International Day of Friendship 2025.

We are at our Dr. Paul David Hargrave Memorial Centre preparing to host the Dr. Hargrave Human Development Project that will train 180 change agents in media for development, self-reliant participatory development and research.

A project we are jointly implementing with our sister organisation Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR). All made possible through legacy grants in memory of Dr. Hargrave.

On this International Day of Friendship, we cannot help but be blown away by the unsung hero that was Dr. Hargrave. What a man he must have been to inspire such generosity in his memory.

“In 1984 shocking photographs of men, women and children on the verge of starvation in Ethiopia were seen around the world. When he learned of the CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) tour he immediately decided to go. The experience was life changing. He saw how the efforts of CPAR’s relief programs were focused and efficient involving local, trained people to deliver aid in food, water, sanitation and education in highly targeted ways in co-ordination with other aid organizations.” Kin of late Dr. Hargrave – Barry, Lynne and David.

What a legacy of kindness and friendship he continues to inspire here on earth in his memory. Moreover, the best kind where it is pure giving to less advantaged persons in another part of the world, not kin, but simply because they are part of the human family.

“In January 1998, Paul was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer. He died in early February at the age of 45. His unexpected death, at such a young age, deeply affected his family and the entire community he had served for 20 years. The largest church in Ladner where a celebration of life service was held was filled to capacity. Money raised at the event and in local schools in Ladner, where there was a i Penny’s from Heaven’ campaign in Paul’s memory, was donated to CPAR (Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief). A Canadian government program that matches charitable gifts to aid organizations, like CPAR, was used to double the amount. Then, through coordination between CPAR offices in Uganda and Toronto, under a UN aid program, the amount was doubled again.The money raised in Paul’s memory became the funding base for building the CPAR Dr. Paul Hargrave Memorial Centre in Lira, Uganda.” Kin of late Dr. Hargrave – Barry, Lynne and David.

Learn more on Dr. Hargrave and his good life, read “Dr. Paul David Hargrave (1952-1998)”