The ECAE held its first Community Recognition Day and Fundraiser Night

“You cannot see change in any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it” – Grace Lee Boggs

By Shishan Haile

The Eritrean Community Association of Edmonton held a Community Recognition Day and Fundraiser Night for the Community Center on December 2, 2017 from 7pm- 1am at the Belvedere Community Center. The event was coordinated to recognize members of the community organization that have and continue to contribute to the greater good of the community.  It was also organized as a fundraiser for the future Eritrean Community Center. The event which was attended by 200 Eritreans was a huge success.

The event started with a welcoming opening speeches by Samuel Habtemariam (one of the ECAE board directors). Invited religious and community leaders were also given the opportunity to make speeches. The leaders reiterated the need for a stronger community, and implored Eritreans in the city of Edmonton to take responsibility in the community and to not expect the community work to be done by a few. They also stated that they are delighted in seeing the growth of community but noted that much still needs to be done. Having a permanent community space, they noted is one of them.

After the dinner, awards were given to several Eritrean-Edmontonians involved in the community as a token of gratitude to commemorate their efforts. The youth who showcased their culture at the 2017 Edmonton Heritage Festival were recognized for their effort. The award to the youth was given by the previous chairperson of the community organization Habtemicael Berhane and Zedingle Mebrahtu, the current secretary of the community organization. Mr. Berhane thanked the youth for their continued effort year after year in representing the community and showcasing their heritage to the greater Edmontonian community.

The first three new award categories for the award ceremony were also created this year. The award “ኣብነታዊት ኣደ” recognizes an exemplary woman in our community who has played a big role in its growth.  This year’s recipient of the award is Mama Raham. Mama Raham, has supported the community organization tirelessly without complaining for a very long time. Her commitment to the community’s events especially during Heritage Fest festivals can’t be matched. The award given by Mr. Berhane and Mr. Mebrahtu.

The award “ኮኾብ መንእሰይ” recognizes a youth or young adult in our community who has been and continues to be a role model for younger generations following. This year’s recipient for this award is Segen Tesfamicael. Segen, received the accolade “ኮኾብ መንእሰይ” to honor her ever present participation in the community affairs. Segen has been a role model for the youth in our community for many years. She has participated in the Heritage Fest from her early youth. For the past two years she has choreographed dance moves and organized the current generation of dancers for their performances during fest. In addition Segen is one of the organizers of Deki Eritrea, a non-profit peer support organization for Eritrean-Canadian youth/young adults in Edmonton. Mr. Berhane and Mr. Zedingle awarded Segen with her commemorative plaque.

The third award “ርእሲ ማእዘን” recognizes members of the community who have been cornerstones of the organization. This year’s award goes to Habtemicael Berhane, Zedingle Mebrahtu and Andeberhan Haile. The above noted three men have served the community organization diligently as part of board for more than five years. The award to this exemplary men was given by Bereket Alem Alazar, the current chairperson of the community organization. Bereket thanked the previous community leaders for their tireless commitment to the community and for the sacrifices they made for its growth.

 

 

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The ECAE held its first Community Recognition Day and Fundraiser Night

“You cannot see change in any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it” – Grace Lee Boggs

By Shishan Haile

The Eritrean Community Association of Edmonton held a Community Recognition Day and Fundraiser Night for the Community Center on December 2, 2017 from 7pm- 1am at the Belvedere Community Center. The event was coordinated to recognize members of the community organization that have and continue to contribute to the greater good of the community.  It was also organized as a fundraiser for the future Eritrean Community Center. The event which was attended by 200 Eritreans was a huge success.

The event started with a welcoming opening speeches by Samuel Habtemariam (one of the ECAE board directors). Invited religious and community leaders were also given the opportunity to make speeches. The leaders reiterated the need for a stronger community, and implored Eritreans in the city of Edmonton to take responsibility in the community and to not expect the community work to be done by a few. They also stated that they are delighted in seeing the growth of community but noted that much still needs to be done. Having a permanent community space, they noted is one of them.

After the dinner, awards were given to several Eritrean-Edmontonians involved in the community as a token of gratitude to commemorate their efforts. The youth who showcased their culture at the 2017 Edmonton Heritage Festival were recognized for their effort. The award to the youth was given by the previous chairperson of the community organization Habtemicael Berhane and Zedingle Mebrahtu, the current secretary of the community organization. Mr. Berhane thanked the youth for their continued effort year after year in representing the community and showcasing their heritage to the greater Edmontonia community.

 

 

The first three new award categories for the award ceremony were also created this year. The award “ኣብነታዊት ኣደ” recognizes an exemplary woman in our community who has played a big role in its growth.  This year’s recipient of the award is Mama Raham. Mama Raham, has supported the community organization tirelessly without complaining for a very long time. Her commitment to the community’s events especially during Heritage Fest festivals can’t be matched. The award given by Mr. Berhane and Mr. Mebrahtu.

The award “ኮኾብ መንእሰይ” recognizes a youth or young adult in our community who has been and continues to be a role model for younger generations following. This year’s recipient for this award is Segen Tesfamicael. Segen, received the accolade “ኮኾብ መንእሰይ” to honor her ever present participation in the community affairs. Segen has been a role model for the youth in our community for many years. She has participated in the Heritage Fest from her early youth. For the past two years she has choreographed dance moves and organized the current generation of dancers for their performances during fest. In addition Segen is one of the organizers of Deki Eritrea, a non-profit peer support organization for Eritrean-Canadian youth/young adults in Edmonton. Mr. Berhane and Mr. Zedingle awarded Segen with her commemorative plaque.

The third award “ርእሲ ማእዘን” recognizes members of the community who have been cornerstones of the organization. This year’s award goes to Habtemicael Berhane, Zedingle Mebrahtu and Andeberhan Haile. The above noted three men have served the community organization diligently as part of board for more than five years. The award to this exemplary men was given by Bereket Alem Alazar, the current chairperson of the community organization. Bereket thanked the previous community leaders for their tireless commitment to the community and for the sacrifices they made for its growth.

 

 

The award ceremony was followed by a speech by the current chairperson of the community organization, Bereket Alem. Bereket explained on why the organization needs the community center, and the importance it has to Eritreans living in Edmonton. In addition he discussed the initiatives the community organization has taken to attain such a space. In his speech to the attendees, Bereket discussed the importance of the Eritrean community center for establishing our roots in Edmonton and for creating a home-away-from-home for Eritrean living in Edmonton. The speech also affirmed the community’s commitment to supporting newcomers as they settle in their new environment. The final speeches by Samuel Habtemriam and others, reiterated the need for the community center, and urged those eligible over eighteen to become active members in the Eritrean community. The lack of a socially active community is a blockade against the community’s advancement as a growing population.

One of the initiative for attaining our community space was this fundraiser dinner. During this dinner event, the community was able to raise above $25,000 to help jumpstart the creation of our future community center. The organization was able to auction several items donated by members of the community.  The Samsung Tablet (donated by Senait Tamene), Watta (ዋታ, donated by Samuel Habtemariam), a painting (donated by Fetsum Teclemariam) were some of the items auctioned off.

The ECAE would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who donated and are continuing to donate for this worthy cause. Overall, the event was a success and we would like to thank everyone for coming out, and we would like to urge others to participate and join for the upcoming programs, events and activities the ECAE will be organizing.

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