(Zainab Mohamoud)

By rdnewsNOW staff

virtual galas happening in february

Foundation raising funds for next phase of Somali school project

Jan 26, 2021 | 10:27 AM

The Education for Somali Girls and Boys Foundation (ESGBF) is getting ready for its fifth annual ‘Join Hands for Building a Future for Somali Children’ gala fundraiser.

Funds raised in previous years helped build an elementary school in Somalia where 100 children are now enrolled. The foundation is now looking to raise $100,000 towards the second phase of the project, a residence for up to 200 children who do not have access to adequate shelter.

Due to the pandemic, rather than an in-person gala, this year’s event will feature five virtual galas on the foundation’s Facebook page from Feb 1 to 28 during Black History Month.

“We used to organize a big gala, but this year because of COVID we can’t do such events. It forced us to, if we really want to run this school, we had to come up with different ideas,” explained Zainab Mohamoud, founder of the Education for Somali Girls and Boys Foundation.

The virtual events will feature various topics about Black History. Local Somali-Canadians will also share poetry, music and motivational speeches.

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Mohamoud says they are always looking for sponsors to help them out.

“Starting sponsorships cost $35.00 a month or $355.00 year. Half of the money goes to the teachers and the other half goes to the kids so they can buy school supplies, whatever they can, whatever they need,” she shared, adding, “we do still have the need to raise money for building the residence.”

A Somali immigrant who came to Canada in 2007, Mohamoud spent parts of her childhood living amongst civil war in her home region. An RDC alum, she is also the author of ‘To Somali Girls and Boys With Love’ which was published in 2019, and is a past nominee (2016) for the Red Deer Women of Excellence awards.

Mohamoud will be returning to Somalia, her home country, to oversee the next phase of the project.

If you want to learn more about the foundation or take part in their fundraising, visit their website at www.efsgbf.org or their GoFundMe page.

(Dwayne McLaughlin and Sheldon Spackman)