About Us

WHO WE ARE

Umoja Operation Compassion Society of British Columbia is a non-profit society formed in 2002 to work with newcomer immigrants and refugees living in the greater Vancouver region, predominately Surrey, BC.

Our society seeks to empower immigrants and refugees to successfully integrate into an inclusive Canadian society. New immigrants and refugees can find it difficult to integrate due to obstacles such as poverty, lack of English language comprehension, unemployment, isolation, feelings of hopelessness, parenting in the Canadian context and experiences of trauma. Through Umoja programs and services, we provide a variety of culturally sensitive and trauma-informed programs to help families, children, and youth integrate successfully into their new social environment.

Umoja uniquely exists to serve those that are in need and empowers them to transition into main-stream community services while fulfilling its Vision and Mission.

Internationally, we support initiatives to improve the quality of life in global communities, specifically the great lakes region of East and Central Africa through education, health initiatives and a micro-finance project for women.

Mission | “To empower immigrants and refugees to successfully integrate into an inclusive Canadian society. Internationally, we support initiatives to improve the quality of life in global communities.”

Vision | “Building strong communities; moving from newcomers to neighbours.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF

The Umoja board members and staff work together collaboratively to serve and empower immigrants and refugees as they integrate into an inclusive Canadian society. Internationally, our team supports initiatives that seek to improve the quality of life in global communities.

Board Members

Amos Kambere, President
Geoff Bazira, Board Chairperson
Beatrice Okyere
Ruby Virani
Emily Siemens
Margaret Akulia
Alix Wadeson
Mesfine Berhane
Audrey Staudacher
Mambo Masinda
Kakule Masinda

Staff members

Jonathan Cauri, Development Director
Loree McDougall, Program Director
Otilia Oddou, Assistant Program Manager
Somlark Noithongkham, Programs Assistant
Ndumiso Kheswa, Bookkeeper
Loree McDougall, Literacy Coordinator
Darla Young, Literacy Instructor
Sonia Oni, Community Outreach Worker
Hanan Abdelkader, Digital Connect Outreach Worker
Mohanad Saqqa, School’s Out Children’s Coordinator
Matthew Ndaya, School’s Out Children’s Worker
Tsighe Kidane and Muzit Woldegabr, Childminding
Michael Berhe, Youth Outreach

FUNDERS

DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS

To ensure fairness and accountability Umoja Operation Compassion Society endorses the Donor Bill of Rights. Supporting community development is based on voluntary action for the common good of all stakeholders. Umoja wants to ensure the respect and trust of the general public, donors and all prospective donors. To this end we declare that all donors have these full rights:

To be informed of the Organization’s mission, and how donated funds will be used to support intended purposes.
To be informed about the organization’s governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in relation to donations and responsibilities.
To have access to the organization’s most recent financial audited statements and annual reports.
To be assured that their funds, gift or donations will be used for the purpose initiated in the request.
To ask questions and receive forthright answers in a timely manner.
To be assured that information about donations is treated with confidentiality.
To be informed when volunteers or staff are hired for fundraising.
To be acknowledged and recognized for their contributions or donations.
To ask for their names to be removed from any mailing lists or other related forums at the donor requests.
To visit our site and programs at their request.

Endorsed by the Board of Umoja Operation Compassion Society
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RECOGNITION

As a result of our expertise and ability to serve the community, Umoja has been recognized by the following institutions:

World vision in 2006 for its, Intervention to end child poverty, 2008 by the government of British Columbia for assisting immigrants and minorities to integrate into Canadian society, 2008 by United Way of the Lower Mainland for Supporting the Community, 2010 by the Surrey Leader wrote about the work of Umoja, and 2011 Umoja, was recognized by College of the Rockies for accommodating practicum students.

March 2012 Umoja received the Community Spirit Award from United way of the lower Mainland and Scotia Bank for offering excellent services to Refugees and their Families in the Community. Umoja has one of the best track records of putting clients and community concerns first.

Umoja was recognized by the City of Surrey by awarding the President Amos Kambere the 2014 Heart in the City Award of excellence; honoring selfless acts of community service. Additionally in 2017 Amos was awarded the dedication award by the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards, in partnership with the United Way of the Lower Mainland. Other recognitions have come from the African Canadian Soccer and Cultural Association as well as the Premier of the Province of British Columbia.