Susan Hay, Global News Toronto host and World Vision partner has been named the recipient of this year’s Gemini Humanitarian Award. The award—which was presented to Hay by Dave Toycen, World Vision Canada’s president—was awarded to Hay for her years of charity work.
Hay took a few minutes after receiving the award to share a bit of her experiences working with World Vision over the past six years.
WV: What was your reaction to winning the Gemini Humanitarian Award?
SH: You know it’s funny because I was getting into a cab to speak at one of my charities and I get this call and Sarah Morton, the CEO of the Academy, starts to talk and I’m half listening. I was rushing; I had a story to do after I spoke so my head wasn’t truly there. And she said, “Susan is this a bad time?” and I said, “Can I call you back?” and then she said “I just really want to tell you that you’ve won!” And I was just stunned!
I just wasn’t expecting it. In this business we’re always giving to others and emceeing and giving out the awards but when you get something—and a Gemini is just so prestigious—it’s such an honour.
WV: What has working with World Vision been like?
SH: World Vision and my work in Africa since 2003 has truly changed my life and Dave Toycen said it would way back when.
I remember every single moment in every small village I have travelled to, from Mozambique to Kenya and Tanzania. I love Africa period. And I soaked it all up and I was never more focused then I was on those trips. Those kids and families mean the world to me. So World Vision is at the top of my list and will always be in my heart.
To have Dave Toycen hand me that award last night in his classy way, which is always his way, meant more to me than words can express.
WV: Can you describe one of your most memorable experiences with World Vision?
SH: Oh that’s so difficult, there are so many.
Jose and Lucia, the brother and sister who were left behind because their parents died a year and a half apart from AIDS, I will never forget those kids. Not only were they living on their own, they were in a village of children living on their own. Some were only 10 and were the head of the household. So at the time Jose and Lucia were 14 and 12. He wanted to be a doctor and she wanted to be a teacher and they taught me so much. They were struggling every day to feed themselves and to do well on their own.
There was also a little boy James, who was 3 years old. Little James was so malnourished. I remember we brought food. I was feeding him porridge and every time I would feed him a mouthful he would peek into the bowl to see how much was left. It broke my heart.
Every little moment remains in my heart and so fresh in my mind and that’s from six years of traveling with World Vision.
WV: What makes you passionate about humanitarian work?
SH: I get asked all the time why I do what I do, and I say, how can I not? I come from a wonderful family foundation, with very loving parents. It wasn’t until my dad passed away, I knew he was a great, kind man, but I didn’t know how much he did for the community, until he passed away and I heard all the stories from friends. Growing up it wasn’t about having my parents tell me how pretty I was, it was about having a kind heart and respecting yourself and I think that is what I have tried to do.
WV: What makes you passionate about World Vision’s work?
SH: World Vision has been helping children in the developing world for over 50 years and not only are they the first ones into a disaster area, they are also the last ones out. They don’t just drop things off and say “see you later”.
They teach people how to get on their feet to survive and then they move on to the next area. I haven’t just seen the poverty aspect but I have also seen the sponsorship. When a child is not sponsored there is poverty, disease, near-death and then you go to a little village where there is sponsorship and you can smell how clean the hut is and see the fresh fruit and clean clothes and the kids are in school and they are smiling—such a difference. I’ve been sponsoring a little girl since 2003 and I see the difference in her photos and her letters. I mean there is no question what World Vision does. They are there from the beginning to the end. They are transforming lives.
The 24th Annual Gemini Awards will be airing on November 14, from Calgary, Alberta.
