About Us

WHO WE ARE

Umoja Operation Compassion Society of British Columbia is a charitable organization (88642 5909 RR 0001) formed in 2002 to work with newcomer immigrants and refugees living in Surrey, BC. Our society seeks to help promote unity, respect, and dignity amongst minority immigrants and refugees.

Newcomer to Canada can find it difficult to integrate due to obstacles such as poverty, learning a new language, unemployment, culture shock, isolation and feelings of hopelessness. Through Umoja Operation Compassion Society, we provide a variety of culturally sensitive programs to help families, children, and youth integrate successfully into their new social environment.

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 of directors have shown strong leadership to empower immigrants and refugees to successfully integrate into an inclusive Canadian society. Internationally, to support initiatives to improve the quality of life in global communities.

Board Members

Mr. Amos Kambere, President

Ms. Annette Simbambure, Board Chairperson
Ms. Beatrice Okyere
Mr. Geoffrey Bazira
Ms. Ruby Virani
Ms. Emily Siemens
Ms. Margaret Akulia
Ms. Alix Wadeson
Mr. Jeevan Dhami

Mr. Mesfine Berhane

Mr. Kakule Masinda

Our Team

Jamie Kopp, Development Director

Loree McDougall, Programs Manager
Sonia Oni, Outreach Worker
Somlark Noithongkham, Programs Assistant
Ndumiso Kheswa, Bookkeeper
Loree McDougall, Literacy Instructor
Darla Young, Literacy Instructor
Otilia Oddou, Computer Class Instructor
Hanan Abdelkader, Digital Connect Outreach Worker
Tianna Gartly, Children 6-12 years
Matthew Ndaya, Children 6-12 years
Sami Rashid, Dad’s Outreach Worker
Fatima and Jethro, Youth Program
Rahya, Tsighe and Muzit, Childminding

FUNDERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

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.