Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization

(SCERDO)

Who we areSCERDO:• 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.

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.

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).

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

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. 

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.

Our Youth: Future Leaders

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

Youth workshop Sessions

Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ sessions

Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d)

Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ workshop

Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d)

Youth taking part in one of the ‘Stand Up and Lead’ sessions

Youth workshop Sessions (Cont’d)

Youth meeting a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist ‘K’naan’

Youth workshop Sessions (cont’d)

Youth taking part in the ‘Ignite Change Now’ conference

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.

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

Vocational Training Academy in Somalia

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

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

Vocational Training Academy in Somalia

Global Hope Academy, school where carpentry and computer courses were held

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Carpentry

Youth getting instructions from their teacher

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Carpentry (Cont’d)

Carpentry students getting hands-on practice on wood cutting and angle measurements

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Computer

Girls taking a class on basic computer training as well as more advanced Microsoft Office Suite

software

Outside View of Annalena Center, in Borama General Hospital, housing the lecture hall where Midwifery training program was held

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Midwifery

Mr. Omer Giving Practical Lessons on Engines to Students of Automechanic training program at Borama Automechanic

Workshop

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Auto-Mechanic

Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia: Play!

Youth taking part in group exercise competitions

The construction site of the Youth Centre for Peace buildingBurao, Somalia

Construction of Youth Education Centre in Somalia:

The construction site of the Youth Centre for Peace buildingBurao, Somalia

Construction of Youth Education Centre in Somalia (Cont’d)

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!

How To Contact Us Address: 12052 Fort Road

Edmonton, AlbertaT5B 4H1CANADA

Phone: (780) 491-0233Fax: (780) 491-0212Office hours: Mon-Friday

9am-5pm (Mountain Time Zone)

Website: www.scerdo.comemail: scerdo1@yahoo.com scerdo@scerdo.org