On May 24th, 2025, SALNAM proudly hosted Senior’s Day at 174 Pentland, a heartfelt celebration dedicated to honoring our elders. This free event welcomed individuals aged 55 and over to an afternoon filled with joy, laughter, food, and community bonding.
From 1 PM to 4 PM, the venue was alive with activities including games, storytelling, and delicious food. The highlight of the day was seeing our seniors actively participating and enjoying themselves — a true testament to the spirit and resilience of our community.
A special moment was captured as attendees proudly displayed paintings of the Sierra Leonean flag, symbolizing unity and cultural pride.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the seniors who came out and made the event such a memorable success. Your presence, smiles, and stories brought warmth to us all.
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.
Blessings,
Moe Koroma|SALNAM President The Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba Inc. T: 204.417.5843 | C: 204.557.8384
Dear community members, On behalf of the SALNAM executive, we thank you all for supporting our great community. I want to let you know that your service is greatly appreciated. Those that are yet to come, please come. We are one people. The year is almost ending; we are all grateful to the Almighty God for keeping us and our families safe. Please let us all stay optimistic for a glorious new year. On that note, we would like to invite everyone to the end-of-year community gardening, where we will meet to pray, talk and celebrate as a family. Please note that tickets are already available at $35. We all know how prices are these days. Please, let’s come together; we can make a difference.
Furthermore, I have attached our 2023 annual report for everyone to see what we have done so far for 2023.
