Profile

Nyrenkenyi development foundation of Alberta (NDFA) is a non-profit organization bases in Alberta that has since 2008, been serving immigrants and refugee communities in Edmonton. NDFA works with community members from divers backgrounds to create a community based initiatives that address issues of health and well being, athleticism, and value to work with others developing a shared vision around a need to create and implement a plan of action, a mini-project, around it.

Metamorphosis

This film shows concrete successes of a group of people that by working together have built new capacities to act upon community issues.

Vision

Nyarkenyi Development Foundation of Alberta. Vision is to support the communities in Edmonton and elsewhere in Africa by using their skills, knowledge, culture, and values to work together with other residents in addressing community health issues and bilding stronger communities.

Mission

Nyarkenyi Development Foundation of Alberta Mission is to “build stronger and healthier communities through a community building process that fosters citizen participation and action to improve the health of the community”.

The Nyarkenyi Development Foundation of Alberta (NDFA) emerged from a community initiative led by Bari (South Sudanese) community members to provide basic computer training to its members in Edmonton. The aim was to enhance the community’s employability by offering basic computer skills to its members who were predominantly new immigrants and refugees.

After the successful conclusion of the initiative the group representatives, with support from Action for Healthy Communities (AHC) formed NDFA. The NDFA is a registered non-profit under the Societies Act of Alberta.

Background

The idea of creating NDFA emerged in 2008 when a group of individuals from the Bari group came together to discuss how to strengthen their community and increase participation of members in solving issues that are common in the community. These discussions led to the development of a participatory process that enabled the South Sudanese-Canadian citizens and communities of Central McDougall/Queen Mary Park and Northeast Edmonton to voice their views and concerns about youth activities such as sports, summer camp, financial literacy, homework/tutoring and Leadership training. The group has also come up with some ideas to help their villages by providing new schools, a health care centre, a community centre, clean water, and grants to farmers.

Objectives

• Provide a meeting place to discuss the interests, and concerns of the community
• Provide and support research on tradition, culture and heritage, and language of the community
• Provide a community kitchen to the community and the general public
• Provide recreational and social activities to its members
• Provide all necessary equipment and furniture for the various programs and initiatives
• Provide daycare services to the community and the general public
• Provide a reception house
• To encourage, and develop the importance of agriculture in the national life amongst its members
• Provide relief and rehabilitation services
• Support rural development and agriculture
• Provide opportunities to promote healthy living for children and youth, adults and seniors in the community

Projects in Edmonton

• River Nile Community Kitchen
• Multicultural Summer Camp
• South Sudanese Edmonton Youth Sports
• Tutoring classes for adult students
• After School Programs
• Leadership Training
• Financial Literacy
• Kara / Nyarkenyi colllective kitchen project

Projects Planned for Nyarkenyi (South Sudan)

• Nyarkenyi Basic School Building
• Northern Bari Primary Health Care Centre (NBPHC)
• Bari Community Centre (Juba)
• Community Kitchen
• Clean Water
• Community Sport Teams
• Homework/Tutoring Sessions
• Northern Bari Emergency Vehicle for the rural area
• Lucota Corporative Farming Initiative (fish, growing fruits & vegetables, cows, goats, sheep, and chicken)

Training Centre (Juba):

• Leadership Training/Financial Literacy
• English Classes
• Health Care
• Nutrition Workshops

Nyarkenyi is an area in South Sudan that extends 50 km to the north from Luri north of Juba Town to Terkeka Town, and 70 km from the river to the town of Rokon in the west. There are seven villages, Baari, Nyowa, Paite and Gwerkik to the east along the White Nile River and to the east are the villages of Palur, Ilikare, and Lomanik, to the west of the mountain. The prominent geographical features include the historical Lado enclave, the Nyarkenyi mountain (Lado) from which the name of the area is derived and the Bahr El Jebel River. The total population of the area is estimated at 11,000 which constitute 30 per cent of the Juba Rural council. The area is 18 miles north of Juba, and borders Terkeka district to the north, Mongala district to the east and Rokan district to the west. It has two main roads that connect it to Terkeka in the north and Rokon to the west. It has a water way from Juba through the area to Mongala and Terkeka.

The main economic activities include rain fed cultivation of staple crops of Sorghum maize and groundnuts in addition to beans, cassava, and sweet potatoes. There is also vegetables growing along the river and the islands. The people also practice animal husbandry, mainly cows, goats and sheep. Fishing activities constitute a considerable sector of the local economy along the river. The Nyarkenyi area is well endowed with vast areas of natural forest containing small wildlife and herbs for traditional medicine, and provides wood and timber for building and fuel.

Values

Collaboration

We encourage community members to work together toward common goals based on share concerns and values.

Participation

We are dedicated to a process that fosters community participation in activities that improve health and well being.

Personal Development

We believe that continuous reflection and learning is essential for self motivation and reaching potential.

Advocacy

We support people to be advocates for their own lives.

Equity

We practice and promote fair conduct to ensure staff and volunteers are given equal opportunity.

Cultural Sensitivity

We are sensitive to the diverse cultural needs of the community.