Local East Africans raise funds

Members of Ottawa's East African community and social development agencies have banded together to rally assistance for famine victims.

SEAN MCKIBBON

METRO
Published: August 18, 2011

The famine in Somalia and other areas of East Africa could have been avoided, say members of Ottawa’s East African community.

“It’s a complicated problem. If I had the solution that I could just give to you, Somalia would be better off today,” said Ismail Mohamed, an Ottawa social worker and founder of the Somali Youth Basketball League. More development work was needed, he said, likening the problem to the old teach-a-man-to-fish proverb.

Fortunately, there are many young people willing to help, said Sharmaarke Abdullahi, a community-development worker who said young people in cities across Canada are working to raise awareness and money. A recent barbecue in Ottawa raised $30,000, he said, while a group of young people are organizing a fundraising walk between Toronto and Ottawa next month.

Sahan Relief and Development Organization and Somali Relief Ottawa will be holding their fourth fundraising event Friday night at the Jim Durrell Recreational Centre at 1264 Walkley Rd., from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will raise funds for victims of famine in the Horn of Africa, and will feature keynote speakers from the African diplomatic corps, along with food donated by Salang, an Afghani restaurant.