2024 SALNAM Season Greetings

Dear Community Members,

On behalf of the SALNAM Executive, we wish you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year! We deeply appreciate your dedication and support throughout 2024. Thank you for thinking positively about our community, encouraging your children to participate in our events, and contributing to our strategic planning session. Your efforts make a significant difference.

This year, 2024, has been marked by many challenges, including tragic losses within our community. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those affected, and we stand in solidarity during these difficult times.

As your Executive Team, we remain committed to serving the community. We encourage you to continue volunteering and supporting our collective efforts for a thriving and united community. Below, we’ve outlined highlights of our 2024 activities and our plans moving into 2025.

SALNAM 2024 Highlights

Leadership Training for Youth and Young Adults
We hosted a course focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce, along with public speaking and presentation skills. This initiative aimed to empower our young leaders.

Car wash fundraiser

We had a fantastic time at the car wash fundraiser! Several executive members enthusiastically joined the volunteer team to wash cars and support the cause. Community members stopped by to have their vehicles cleaned, while passersby at the DOMO gas station on Henderson were encouraged to donate or get their cars washed – all in support of our community fundraiser.

Canada Day
Although this year’s Canada Day celebration was canceled due to weather conditions, we were still able to host a small gathering at the residence of our Vice President.

SALNAM Dancers
Our dancers proudly showcased Sierra Leonean culture and heritage at various events, including performances at the University of Winnipeg and a Portuguese cultural celebration.

Back To School Event

This beloved tradition continued with an open invitation that was extended to other communities’ groups. The event was held at 72 Geneva Lane, the event brought joy and excitement to the children of our community.

Senior Events
We continued our tradition of hosting gatherings for our senior members, providing a space to share a free meal, connect, and create cherished memories.

Community Visitation
The SALNAM Executive reached out to community members through visits and calls, fostering connections and learning about our rich history while creating new memories.

Independence Day Celebration
Our 63rd Independence Day event brought together attendees from Winnipeg and beyond. The keynote address by Mr. Harold Buckle emphasized the importance of unity among Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.

CRA Number Application
We engaged Ms. Florence Carey, a legal expert specializing in charities and non-profits, to assist in obtaining a CRA number for SALNAM. This effort is ongoing.

Community Outreach
This year, we prioritized attending local events to raise awareness of Sierra Leonean culture, a mission we aim to expand in 2025.

Football Games
We launched soccer games and practice sessions, fostering camaraderie at venues like Church High School Field, St. Vital Park, and Meadowood Park.

Kids’ Christmas Party
This beloved tradition continued with a festive event at 174 Pentland, bringing joy to our community’s children.

Strategic Planning
Thanks to Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU), we held a successful strategic planning session. Community members shared ideas that will guide both the current and future Executive teams.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Initiatives

Implementing strategic planning outcomes and encouraging community participation.
Continuing community visitations and outreach.
Exploring participation in Folklorama’s African Pavilion to celebrate our culture.
Collaborating with other organizations to expand SALNAM’s impact.
Applying for grants to support more community events.

Election Year
2025 marks a pivotal election year for SALNAM. As per our constitution, all executive positions will become vacant. We encourage all eligible Sierra Leoneans in the community to consider running for these roles and participating in the election process.

In closing, we look forward to celebrating with you at our end-of-year event on December 28, 2024. Let’s come together to close out the year with joy and unity.