HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Derreck Kayongo, humanitarian relief expert and Global Soap Project Founder, will be the third speaker for the 2015 Ray and Stella Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College. Kayongo will lecture on Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m. in the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The lecture is open to the public and the cost to attend is only $10, with students admitted free.
From Africa to Atlanta with nothing but a dream and tenacity, Kayongo beat the odds, earned an education, became a naturalized U.S. citizen and has served in leadership roles in some of the world’s most respected NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) since 1994.
In 2009, Kayongo and his wife Sarah started their own NGO, The Global Soap Project, which focuses on repurposing partially-used soap from hotels into new soap for needy populations, particularly in Africa. To date, The Global Soap Project produces 30,000 bars of soap per week with capacity to produce over a million bars annually and has been able to donate over half a million bars of soap to over 20 countries.
Kayongo has been recognized as the 2011 CNN HERO; won the Maxx Entrepreneurship Award; received the Refugee Services Award; and was honored by Congressman John Lewis with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.
2015 is the 34th season for the Dillon Lecture Series on the HCC Campus. Kayongo is the third speaker in the 2015 season.
For more information on the Dillon Lecture Series, or Hutchinson Community College, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu/dls.