On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, AgrarKontakte International (AKI) e. V. held a ceremonial farewell event for the trainees from Kenya in the banquet hall in Denkendorf. 

The trainees and their host families arrived around noon and were welcomed in the banquet hall. After a joint lunch, the official part of the event began, which was moderated by AKI Managing Director Falk Kullen and translated by interpreter Cornelia Oppitz.

The event was opened with a welcoming speech  by Hans-Benno Wichert, the AKI Chairman. Afterwards, the Ministerial Director Isabel Kling from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection welcomed the participants. Then, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, Ms. Stella Mokaya Orina, who had travelled from Berlin to the farewell event of the trainees, emphasized in her speech the importance of the program, especially in opening up career prospects. 

The presentation of the certificates to the trainees was a central moment of the event. Another highlight was the award ceremony, where the best trainees of 2024 were honored. Afterwards, two trainees and representatives from two host families gave short presentations looking back on the year of the traineeship. They shared valuable insights into the experiences, challenges and successes that shaped the program.

Special recognition was also given to the farms that have stood out for their long-standing engagement in the AKI-Trainee programs. Honoring these anniversary farms underscored the trust that has connected AKI e. V. and the farms for years.

Falk Kullen gave a warm farewell to the guests before a group photo rounded off the event. After the end of the event, the trainees and the AKI team set off on their journey to Frankfurt, from where they left for Kenya by plane the next day.

The farewell in Denkendorf was a wonderful conclusion to an enriching exchange and the memories and relationships forged during this program will live on for a long time.