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Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO)

Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO). Who we are. SCERDO : Is non- profit Registered charity organization which started its formal operations on November 2, 1999 in Ottawa, Canada. Our current headquarters are in Edmonton, Canada. We are:

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Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO)

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  1. Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization(SCERDO)

  2. Who we are SCERDO: • Is non- profit Registered charity organization which started its formal operations on November 2, 1999 in Ottawa, Canada. Our current headquarters are in Edmonton, Canada. We are: • People who are interested in promoting and improving the quality of life for Somali Canadians through education and community based projects. • Social activists, Computer programmers, engineers, economists, administrators, educators, house wives, students and elders, who all share one common bond; a sincere desire to make a difference to the lives of marginalized immigrant communities, particularly Somali-Canadians in Edmonton and elsewhere.

  3. SCERDO Objectives • The broad purpose of SCERDO is to promote the social and educational needs for Somalis in Canada and Somalia. • SCERDO advocates for the needs of Somali-Canadians in terms of economic development, community enhancement, environmental protection, and effective use of available resources. • SCERDO believes that education and community development is a pre-requisite for the social and economic development of Somalis at home and abroad.

  4. Key Achievements In Canada • In 2009, SCERDO, in partnership with Service Canada, undertook a youth unemployment study in the Edmonton region. The research focused on the underemployment of the Somali youth as well as their ‘at-risk’ nature and subsequent propensity toward gang violence. • February 2008, SCERDO implemented “BE PART OF THE WORLD” project for the 18th anniversary for International Development Day sponsored by ACGC & CIDA. • In 2007, SCERDO initiated the Youth Multiculturalism, Leadership, and Community Growth Program project. At its core, this is a youth leadership project targeted towards high school aged youth in the city. The aim is to build youth confidence and self-esteem by conducting a series of hands-on workshops facilitated by luminaries from the community • In 2006, SCERDO implemented Needs Assessment Research for Somali Community in Edmonton. This helped to determine the social, educational, and health needs of Somali immigrants who recently moved into the Edmonton region from other provinces in Canada (as well as from Somalia).

  5. Current Projects In Edmonton • Youth Action for Fostering Multiculturalism, Leadership and Community Growth – the primary focus of this project is on youth leadership skills • Youth Mentorship – provide youth in high schools with practical guidance in the form of mentors from colleges and university across the city • Affordable Housing Initiative – current initiatives by SCERDO and partners to address lack of affordable housing problem facing the Somali community in Edmonton • Employment and Education Initiative – assess both the educational and employment requirements of the youth and seek means to provide meaningful solutions

  6. Youth Project Phases • Community Understanding: to develop a clear understanding of the unique needs and challenges facing Somali youth at-risk in Edmonton. • Empowerment: to educate and empower Somali youth to overcome barriers limiting their access to resources and opportunities, ensuring they build confidence and self-esteem and develop leadership skills • Public Education: to promote values of diversity, community, responsibility, individual capacity and Canadian identity for all youth and create an enhanced public understanding of the specific needs and challenges of Somali youth. • Institutional Engagement: to build a foundation and serve as a catalyst for action and vibrant leadership for ongoing action and reflection to improve the well-being of immigrant, particularly Somali youth and families, in Edmonton. 

  7. What we have done • Organized 68 workshops for youth on the topics of security and public safety, social justice, civic education, leadership, as well as employment and life skills. • Worked with over 500 youths and their parents; currently working with 37 youths, 16 of whom are at-risk Somali youths in Edmonton • Provided youth with mentorship and guidance: dozens of workshops facilitated by luminaries from the Edmonton community; established mentoring relationships between youth in high schools and those in colleges and universities • Submitted a Business Plan to the Canadian Housing & Mortgage Corporation (for seed funding) to have affordable (home-owner) housing units built for qualifying families in the Edmonton Somali community.

  8. Our Youth: Future Leaders Youth participating in the Leadership and Mentoring programs. They include both high school and first-year College/University students.

  9. Youth workshop Sessions Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ sessions

  10. Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d) Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ workshop

  11. Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d) Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ sessions

  12. Youth workshop Sessions (Cont’d) Youth meeting a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist ‘K’naan’

  13. Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d) Youth taking part in the ‘Ignite Change Now’ conference

  14. Key Achievements In Somalia • September 2009 – SCERDO submitted a proposal to CIDA to for the construction & establishment of a Borehole in Northern Somalia. • April 2008 - SCERDO started building 4 rooms for educating the young in the city of Ceegaag, Somalia. The aim of this project is to provide youth a place to go become productive by learning apprenticeship and trade skills that will make them self sufficient citizens. • May 2006 - 95 unemployed refugee youth (returning from camps in Ethiopia) received employment and life-skills education in the form of vocational training in Borama, Awadal region, Somaliland. Courses included computer training, carpentry, auto mechanic, tailoring, and midwifery. • In 2004, A new educational center in Burao was built and now provides a focus to assist the district to promote initiatives that will help youth aged 15 to 25 become life long learners, productive workers and self-sufficient citizens.

  15. Vocational Training Academy in Somalia Ms. Muna Deria & Ms. Naima Sharif, SCERDO youth leaders, on site in Borama, Somalia

  16. Group photo of Ms. Deria, teachers and students in the program

  17. Group photo of Ms. Sharif, teachers and students in the program

  18. Vocational Training Academy in Somalia Global Hope Academy, school where carpentry and computer courses were held

  19. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Carpentry Youth getting instructions from their teacher

  20. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Carpentry (Cont’d) Carpentry students getting hands-on practice on wood cutting and angle measurements

  21. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Computer Girls taking a class on basic computer training as well as more advanced Microsoft Office Suite software

  22. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Midwifery Outside View of Annalena Center, in Borama General Hospital, housing the lecture hall where Midwifery training program was held

  23. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Auto-Mechanic Mr. Omer Giving Practical Lessons on Engines to Students of Automechanic training program at Borama Automechanic Workshop

  24. Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Play! Youth taking part in group exercise competitions

  25. Construction of Youth Education Centre in Somalia: The construction site of the Youth Centre for Peace building Burao, Somalia

  26. Construction of Youth Education Centre in Somalia (Cont’d) The construction site of the Youth Centre for Peace building Burao, Somalia

  27. GET Involved! • We want YOU to get involved! • Volunteer with us: lend us a hand by donating your time and expertise towards good causes • Become a youth mentor: for at-risk and marginalized immigrant youth in Edmonton • Donate to SCERDO: we accept both financial and in-kind donations • Established Somali & African Canadian professionals: become a session speaker & share your success stories with our youth • If you are NOT able to help us: please help a local charity in your area and help make this world a better place for all people!

  28. How To Contact Us Address: 12052 Fort Road Edmonton, Alberta T5B 4H1 CANADA Phone: (780) 491-0233 Fax: (780) 491-0212 Office hours: Mon-Friday 9am-5pm (Mountain Time Zone) Website: www.scerdo.com email: scerdo1@yahoo.com scerdo@scerdo.org

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