GOVERNANCE
Every two years, members of KCO elect the Board of Directors, the President and its officials. The board develops policies, plans and key priorities with the support of committee members. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors, committees deliver programs to the community. Due to the absence of an administrative unit, volunteers from the community assist committee members and the Board in implementing its various programs, services and activities.
STANDING COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors creates community-wide standing and ad hoc committees for service delivery and program support as the need arises. Currently, standing committees are Budget and Finance, Youth, Membership, Women's, Cultural and Social affairs, International Development and Settlement
Cultural and Social Committee
Sophia Karari (chair)
Tel: (647) 808-2595
Email: wakaikarari@yahoo.com
Members:
The Social and Cultural Committee is one of the most visible and dynamic
committees of the Board. This committee is charged with the responsibility
of promoting our Kenyan culture in Canada as well as organizing all
social and cultural events for the benefit of members to meet and interact.
Budget and Finance Committee
Wifred Pande Abwao (chair)
Tel: (905) 827-0443
Email: wilfred.pande@yahoo.com
Members: Rahma Daud
The Finance Committee is chaired by the Board Treasurer and is
responsible for the efficient financial planning and management
of the organization’s assets and resources.
Youth Committee
Current Members:
Muoi Nene (Chair)
Tel: (416) 663-6464
Email: onekenyadian@yahoo.com
Members:
The Youth Committee provides a forum for young people to express and celebrate
their youth; to play. It sets out to develop leadership by sharing the importance
of volunteerism and guiding that volunteer spirit.
Membership Committee
Current Members:
Khatundi Masinde (chair)
Tel: (416) 755-1052
Email: khatundi_k@yahoo.ca
Members: George Mboya, Charity Mbui, Jane Snyder
The Membership Committee is the pillar of KCO.
This committee focuses on mobilizing and enhancing its membership base by promoting
KCO and its ideals among eligible would-be members, recruiting new members,
maintaining member contacts and records.
To register as a KCO member, please go to the registration section.
Women's Committee
Current Members:
Grace Mwawasi (Chair)
Tel: (416) 301-1548
Email: grace.mwawasi@rogers.com
Members: Patrice Ondoro, Jayne Rop-Weller, Khatundi Masinde
KCO Women’s Forum is a group of women committed to supporting, empowering,
encouraging and inspiring members of our community through sharing resources, ideas,
experience, education and knowledge. We are also committed to promoting team work,
consultation and Collaboration (The Harambee Spirit) within our community.
Objectives
- To enhance unity and establish support systems within the community:
- Create counseling and support groups to assist women and families from our community deal with issues of isolation from their extended families who remain in the home country and family problems related to adaptation to a new culture
- Engage the youth in activities that help them reach their optimum potential by organizing events that foster leadership and enable them to share experiences, exchange ideas, gain confidence, connect with peers, relate to parents, gain knowledge about their own culture, and value diversity in the community.
- Help the youth achieve their educational goals and greater personal fulfillment so that they can contribute more productively to society.
- To create an opportunity for information sharing and information flow within the community
- Organise information seminars and educational workshops for both parents and the youth on issues such as the Canadian educational system, family relations, investment opportunities, employment in Ontario, the legal system, health care as well as participating in civic activities.
- To organise and participate in economic activities in the community
- Encourage the community to establish Kenyan specialty businesses in Ontario, including Kenyan culinary, dressmaking, hair styling, carving and dancing so that they can fully utilize their potential and contribute to the diverse Canadian economy and create employment opportunities.
- Introduce Canadians to Kenyan goods and services.
- To create avenues for reaching back to women and families in Kenya
- Establish links with other Kenyan women so as to facilitate economic and social development in Kenya. The art of ‘women lending a hand to other women’ is the backbone of community and social development. The Kenya women who have migrated to Canada are the well educated; consequently, linking and participating in women’s activities in Kenya effectively provides the Kenyan woman and the Kenya society substantial input in development.
Settlement Committee
Current Members:
Anisha Patel-Edwards (chair)
Tel: (416) 829-4132
Email: anishapatel101@gmail.com
Members:
The KCO Settlement Committee aims to assist newcomers arriving in Ontario with
their settlement and adjustment needs, by providing the support, information
and resources necessary to adapt to the Canadian culture. We provide answers to
commonly asked questions regarding immigration & citizenship, housing, health,
employment, education, community & recreation, and daily life here in Ontario.
The Settlement Committee allows Kenyans in Ontario to empower newcomers, and ease
the settlement process.
Bereavement Committee
Current Members:
Eunice Magira (Chair)
Tel:
Email: eunicemagira@hotmail.com
Members:
The Bereavement committee organizes prayers and messages of condolence for
bereaved families from the Kenyan Community in Ontario.
International Development Committee
Current Members:
Maurice Oduor (chair)
Tel: (519) 881-1307 [cell: (519) 901-2540]
Email: mauricejoduor@yahoo.ca
Members:
The International development Committee is dedicated to improve the well-being of
impoverished Kenyans by supporting healthcare, educational and environmental
projects in Kenya. The committee relies on fundraising and grant applications
in order to meet this objective.
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