Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development Organization (SCERDO)

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• Somali Canadian Education and Rural Development
  Organization(SCERDO)

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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

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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. 

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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.

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Our Youth Future Leaders
Youth participating in the Leadership and
Mentoring programs. They include both high school
and first-year College/University students.
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Youth workshop Sessions
Youth taking part in one of the Stand Up and
Lead sessions
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Youth workshop Sessions (contd)
Youth taking part in one of the Stand Up and
Lead workshop
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Youth workshop Sessions (contd)
Youth taking part in one of the Stand Up and
Lead sessions
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Youth workshop Sessions (Contd)
Youth meeting a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop
artist Knaan
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Youth workshop Sessions (contd)
Youth taking part in the Ignite Change Now
conference
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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.
  

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Vocational Training Academy in Somalia
Ms. Muna Deria Ms. Naima Sharif, SCERDO youth
leaders, on site in Borama, Somalia
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Group photo of Ms. Deria, teachers and students
in the program
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Group photo of Ms. Sharif, teachers and students
in the program
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Vocational Training Academy in Somalia
Global Hope Academy, school where carpentry and
computer courses were held
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Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia
Carpentry
Youth getting instructions from their teacher
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Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia
Carpentry (Contd)
Carpentry students getting hands-on practice on
wood cutting and angle measurements
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Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia Computer
Girls taking a class on basic computer training
as well as more advanced Microsoft Office Suite
software
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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
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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
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Vocational Training for Youth in Somalia Play!
Youth taking part in group exercise competitions
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Construction of Youth Education Centre in
Somalia
The construction site of the Youth Centre for
Peace building Burao, Somalia
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Construction of Youth Education Centre in
Somalia (Contd)
The construction site of the Youth Centre for
Peace building Burao, Somalia
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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!

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How To Contact Us

• Address 12052 Fort Road
• Edmonton, Alberta
• T5B 4H1
• CANADA
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Office hours Mon-Friday
• 9am-5pm (Mountain Time Zone)
• Website www.scerdo.com
• email scerdo1_at_yahoo.com
• scerdo_at_scerdo.org