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"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter".
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
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International aid has made some really significant and positive changes in the world, but there has also been money wasted. The biggest issue is funders not simply asking the community what THEY need and want. At Siyawela Foundation we will not do anything without it coming from the community as a priority and a commitment from them first.
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Another big issue is that many times the aid is restricted to one area. For example, it's great to build a school but if there are not enough teachers, or properly trained teachers, or resources for the school, or fees paid so children can addend, the school building alone does not help much. Also, if the children have not eaten so are lacking energy and concentration, or have no access to medical care so are too sick to go to school, or don't have shelter to go home to, or clean water to drink, etc. then again the school building alone is not of great help.
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This is why we are taking a holistic approach and looking at ALL areas of need within a community and what we can do to help them become self-sufficient, as much as possible. As the saying goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We will also be partnering with other organizations, both local and international ones, to meet the community's needs in the most effective and efficient manner.
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We are 100% volunteer run. All funds raised go towards making the vision of helping communities in need a reality.
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| Merna with friend's child in South Africa |
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Merna Schmidt has had extensive experience in international program development. She has lived, worked, and volunteered in Australia, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Albania and Kosovo. Overseas she has worked in a summer day camp, at a human rights organization, in an orphanage, in refugee camps, worked as a post-war mental health worker, set up a solidarity children's programs in schools, taught training seminars to teachers and parents, taught ESL, served as a peace activist, and ran a volunteer vacation program in South Africa. In Canada she works for A Child's Hope, recruiting foster and adoptive parents, and has worked as a Program Advisor, Counselor, and Instructor at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Canada for many years. Merna was chosen as one of Verge Magazine's winners of the "Global Heroes" Project in 2009, and nominated for the Lewis Perinbaum Award in International Development in 2002. Merna is passionate about making a difference in our world so established Siyawela Foundation (Every Life Matters) and serves as the Chair of our board.
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| Sue Boyer |
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Sue Boyer has assisted with many volunteer endeavours including swimming sessions with disabled children, Roy Saito Therapeutic Riding Association, parent-teacher school associations, OneXOne campaign, and the organization and management of silent auctions for fundraising galas. Sue is employed at Grey Nuns Hospital as a Unit Clerk. She has extensive experience in dealing with people, particularly individuals with disabilities. She also has a 12-year history of business ownership and serves as Treasurer on our board.
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| Heather Halpern |
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Heather Halpern has a passion for travel. She has lived, worked and travelled in such countries as Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, The United Kingdom, Greece and most recently Tanzania. While in Tanzania, Heather volunteered by working to empower women by teaching them English and computer skills. As well, she helped women develop their small businesses who were a part of a micro loan program. Heather currently works for the University of Alberta as a student services advisor but is committed to make a difference to those in disadvantaged countries.
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| Nicole McDonald |
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Nicole McDonald is the newest member to the board. Nicole was introduced to Siyawela while completing a school project for her Social Corporate Responsibility class at the University of Alberta where she is pursuing an MBA in Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment. Nicole has significant experience in Africa including Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana where she worked as a wildlife biologist and co-founder of her own business for over 5 years. While Nicole has been drawn to places such as Africa, Amazon basin, Galapagos Islands and other tropical destinations due to her background in wildlife biology it has always been the people and culture that have captured her heart. Nicole is committed to building empowered and sustainable communities around the world and is excited to join this amazing group at Siyawela.
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| Celia Smyth |
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Dr. Celia Smyth has been extensively involved in global issues. She is a board member of the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association and past board member of the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations (NAARR). Celia is also an active member of MacEwan University's UN Committee in Edmonton, and teaches Cross-Cultural Management through the University of Lethbridge. She is an International Student Advisor and Counsellor at MacEwan University, where she has worked for many years. Celia serves as Vice-Chair of our board.
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The board wishes to sincerely thank Realty Executive Polaris in Edmonton for providing us with space for our board meetings.
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