Education is a luxury that many young people around the world are unable to take part in. Red Deerian Zainab Mohamoud wants to offer this opportunity to students in Somalia and is seeking help to finance the project through a fundraiser this month.
The fundraiser will take place at Festival Hall in Red Deer on Jan. 30th from 6 until 9 p.m. Tickets are priced at $35 per person, or a table of eight for $240. These funds collected will go towards the $20,000 goal that covers building expenses, furniture, books, supplies and months of staff salaries. “I am from Somalia, and when I had just finished elementary school my country began a war. That really touched me – I was told that I couldn’t go to high school, which I was really looking forward to,” said Mohamoud.
“Kids are growing up without the experience of school and I want to give something back to them and give them a future.”
She escaped Somalia as a refugee and went to Ethiopia for three years until she received a visa to Canada. Mohamoud has a heart for children and worked as a day-home provider before she settled into her position at the Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association (CAIWA).
“At the event, we will have international foods, a few kinds of dances and two keynote speakers. We will also have a bingo hour, a silent auction and some door prizes available.”
Tickets can be purchased through the web site or in person at the Little Star Restaurant.