There is no
time to lose
There is no time to lose.
John F. Kennedy had vision.
And today the tree that JFK planted in 1961 remains on the grounds of Rideau Hall, strong and healthy, the very image of vitality he portrayed to the world on the day he planted it.
This beautiful image of President John F. Kennedy planting a tree at Rideau Hall-and its flourishing presence decades later-offers a powerful metaphor that resonates deeply with the mission of the Harriet Joyce Foundation in Ecuador and other regions touched by JFK’s vision of global solidarity and service.
Just as JFK chose to plant a tree whose fruits he would never personally see, the Harriet Joyce Foundation is investing in communities-through education, healthcare, and empowerment initiatives-knowing that true impact often takes root over generations. This reflects the very essence of JFK ideals: a long-term commitment to global progress, even when the results may not be immediate. The Foundation’s efforts mirror this enduring vision, planting seeds today with the faith that they will grow into lasting change tomorrow.
JFK’s creation of the Peace Corps in 1961 symbolized a belief in international cooperation and service-values now embodied in the tree at Rideau Hall, In the same spirit, the Harriet Joyce Foundation’s work in Ecuador and beyond is a living extension of that philosophy: the belief that service to humanity transcends borders, and that hope can take root in even the most underserved
soils.
The story of French Marshall Lyautey, who insisted on planting a slow-growing tree because “there is no time to lose,” serves as a reminder that the most urgent work is often that which benefits future generations. This same urgency fuels the Harriet Joyce Foundation. Whether it’s providing access to clean water, supporting women’s rights, or fostering local leadership, each initiative is a deliberate act of hope-each one a seed planted with tomorrow in mind.
The tree at Rideau Hall, planted by JFK, stands today as a quiet but powerful symbol of vision, perseverance, and faith in the future. The Harriet Joyce Foundation’s mission carries forward that same spirit. Every life empowered, every community uplifted, is like a leaf on that enduring tree-a testament to the idea that seeds of compassion and courage, once sown, can transform the world.