I finally got around to updating my Alumni membership details at my former university where I attained my BSc. Chemistry and Grad. Dip. Extractive Metallurgy. As a token of gratitude I was given 50g SPF30+ Sunscreen Lotion as my special gift. The other two were acquired as freebies on the counter at the Alumni Office at Murdoch University. My reaction was a mixture of irritation, confusion and disbelief. I honestly thought that it was a joke, but no the staff member was quite genuine when she handed me my special gift. There was no joke. I grabbed the other two items out of annoyance believing that I should have gotten something more. This is the university I chose to study at much to the disappointment of my father. He did not believe that I made the right decision and still does not to this day. My father would have preferred me to have enrolled at the University of Western Australia but I chose Murdoch University for its flexible timetable. I was able to incorporate biotechnology units into my degree as well as additional study in mathematics. That appealed to me after the rigid structure of high school. For years I have defended Murdoch University from undeserved comments and from the misinformed while I studied under the tutelage of respected and admired staff. I would have to say that receiving nothing apart from someone congratulating me on graduation when I completed my undergraduate degree in 2004 has more meaning. The sunscreen lotion is a throw-away item. It’s not even a permanent reminder of being part of a select few who do graduate. I don’t expect a gift of high value to be given but at least give graduates who choose to become part of the Alumni something worthwhile to keep. A mug for my coffee or tea would be appreciated for many years after graduation. The sunscreen is a waste of time and a product better suited to University Open Days shoved in showbags.

My name is Kapil Kulakkunnath. My wife, Bharathi and I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I grew up in Chennai, India and completed my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering there. I went to Univ of Nevada, Las Vegas for my masters in Electrical Engineering. I work as an Electrical Design Engineer for Accusort Systems. I am a volunteer with Lutheran Children and Family Services and the focus of my work is Refugee Resettlement. I work with families who are resettled into the US from refugee camps around the world and help them start their life here. I have worked with 2 families in the last 2 years and will be welcoming another family this summer. I am also a hospice volunteer and I help provide respite for primary care givers taking care of patients. I have been very fortunate to meet a lot of wonderful individuals and families through my work in this community. Bharathi and I bought our first home in May, 2010. As we were going through the process of finding our house, we understood how fortunate we are to be able to find this place that we would be able to call our home. That got us thinking about a meaningful way to celebrate this wonderful moment of our life. We decided to pay it forward and share our good fortune with some people who are in need of this place called home. That's how we got started with Habitat For Humanity - Global Village. Because of prior commitments, Bharathi will not be traveling with me to Brazil and I will representing the two of us on this trip. I look forward to meeting all of you and to a fruitful week in Feira Nova.