Welcome to AHAVI

The African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island.

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Welcome to AHAVI

The African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island

About Us

Prior to 2004 there was no association unifying/integrating all the African heritage groups in Victoria and other locations on Vancouver Island. Therefore Africans and people of African descent did not have a strong community voice and capacity in the Communities of Vancouver Island. Yet, whenever any group of Africans (African Cultural Association; Kenyan, Ethiopian, Somali, Eritrean, Congo, Mozambique, Ghanaian, Liberian, Sierra Leonean, Nigerian, Rwandan, etc.) and people of African descent (Black History Awareness Society, Caribbean groups) met they expressed the need for such a unifying organization. To meet this need, in 2004 the African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) was formed as a non-profit organization to build a united and strong community by cooperatively organizing, and supporting events and activities to meet the needs of Africans, people of African descent, and friends of Africa on Vancouver Island.

People of African heritage have been in Victoria and the Gulf Islands since the 1850s. However, apart from perhaps tombstones in grave yards there is little to show their presence and concrete legacy. AHAVI is determined to change this history by establishing a comprehensive Africa Heritage Cultural Center in the Capital Regional District of Victoria by 2015. Currently, the association is seeking a short or medium term operating space to work and build community in order to achieve the long-term goal of creating an African Heritage Cultural Center.

Events

Check out some of the annual events that we hold at AHAVI

Sports

We also have sports events all throughout the year! Check out the details and get involved!

Register

Become a member of the association - Use the registration form to submit your details.

Mission Statement

The purpose of AHAVI is to build a united and strong community by co-operatively organizing and supporting events and activities to meet the needs of Africans, people of African descent, and friends of Africa on Vancouver Island.

AHAVI's Objectives are to:

  • Foster a sense of community among Africans, people of African descent, and friends of Africa on Vancouver Island
  • Promote the provision of the best possible services for Africans, people of African descent, and friends of Africa on Vancouver Island.
  • Promote the cultural development of its members and African Heritage awareness on Vancouver Island.
  • Facilitate communication among its members and between members and other organizations and communities on Vancouver Island.

Events

Below is a preview of some of the annual events that we have.

The Africa Celebrates Dinner & Dance

This is a cultural outreach event that celebrates and showcases the cultural vitality of Africa. The main goal of this Celebration is to showcase the positive image of Africa and raise awareness of the continent of rich and varied cultures. This one-night event will feature an exhibition of the vibrancy of Africa and will include: food, costumes, dancing, a fashion show, and a live performance. The event will bring together a diverse group of people to learn, celebrate and experience the value of difference and diversity.

SIMBA Sports Activity

SIMBA Sports Activity is an active event promoting togetherness, and a chance for the community to come together for a day filled with soccer, excitement, laughter, cheering, and all other fun activities. Bring your team to get a chance to walk away with Gold or silver.

Summer BBQ

Summer BBQ is a casual, cultural gathering of sharing and celebrating African and Caribbean culture through music, dance, food, and kid's activities. This celebration brings the Victoria community together showcasing one of Victoria's amazing parks and unleashing the vibrancy of the African and Caribbean communities.

The AHAVI Holiday Party

The AHAVI Holiday Party is an opportunity for the community to wrap up the year and celebrate together in the spirit of the holidays. Grab your friend and loved ones and come join us for a merry evening as the year comes to a close.

African Eloquence

African Eloquence is a cultural outreach event that celebrates the vitality of Africa and promotes higher education among the African youth of Greater Victoria. It supports the youth of African heritage helping them realize their full potential, and also raising awareness of Africa as a continent of rich and varied cultures. This one-night event features an exhibition of the vibrancy of Africa and includes talents, costumes, artwork, performances, and educational presentations. Eight contestants from Vancouver Island middle and high schools will present on various African countries, cultures, and issues - building confidence and critical thinking skills. In particular, we seek youth who show leadership, community involvement, and cultural eloquence. A panel of judges evaluates contestants based on the quality of their presentations, talents, and responses to the question-and-answer segment on contemporary cultural issues. Beyond enhancing the opportunity, empowerment, confidence, and public-speaking skills of youth, African Eloquence offers the Greater Victoria community a unique cross-cultural experience. The event brings together a diverse group of people to learn, celebrate and experience the value of difference and diversity.

The African Eloquence Committee's mandate is to:

  • ♦ Promote awareness and celebration of cultural diversity
  • ♦ Educate the public about African cultures
  • ♦ Generate self-esteem, self-confidence, eloquence, and leadership skills in the youth of African heritage on Vancouver Island
  • ♦ Create educational opportunities for Vancouver Island's African youth to access.

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Sports

African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) established a communal sports club known as Simba for underprivileged people of African descent on Vancouver Island.
The purposes of the Simba are:

  1. To address the loss of a sense of belonging and resentment in sport participation due to discriminatory practices and lack of diversely equitable representation in the sports industry.
  2. Enhance the personal development of underprivileged youth of African descent.
  3. To promote unity, socialization, networking, and a sense of belonging through sport.
  4. To encourage, motivate and engage the community participation in sports activities of all genders (female and male) and all ages (adults, youth, and children)
  5. To organize an annual soccer tournament that showcases a variety of talent from different levels, ages, and ethnic backgrounds on Vancouver Island through recreational sporting activities.
  6. To train committed communal mentors or coaches to develop sport capability and professional athletes through training of community mentors or coaches.
  7. Train communal mentors and coaches for the facilitation of sports programs and activities.
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Background: Racism affects professional operations and the players in the sports industry where many decisions are made based on racial backgrounds rather than athlete's performance. These discriminatory practices result in the loss of a sense of belonging and resentment in sport participation. In addition, people of African descent have no mentors, coaches, or trainers for equitable representation in the sports industry. Therefore, Simba was established to unlock the systemic barriers to entry to the mentorship and coaching industry and sports hierarchy by training communal players to become their own mentors and coaches. Training communal mentors and coaches will create cultural competency and communication in the sports industry and promote inclusion and equity. Mentors and coaches will be recruited from volunteering community members (parents, siblings, volunteers, and players) to provide professional support, motivate and re-engage players who quit sports, maintain interest, and enhance their skill level to pursue and advance their sport carer in a friendly and safe atmosphere through respectful communication and just problem-solving.

AHAVI's Sports Mentor or Coach responsibilities: The AHAVI mentors or coaches are responsible to,

  1. Commit and contribute to planning and rehabilitating AHAVI's sports programs and activities.
  2. Outline sports regulations, rules, and tactics
  3. Schedule and referee Simba sports practices and tournaments.
  4. Promote the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork among players and coaches for safe sporting practices.
  5. Recruit and empower youth to develop sports skills and take ownership of their learning.

Sport Mentor Requirements: A mentor is required to be,

  • Active, current, and committed AHAVI member.
  • Inclusive and mindful of cultural differences of sports participants.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
  • Passionate to develop Simba programs and activities after the training period.
  • Demonstrable to previous and or current record of sporting participation and achievement.
  • Good skills in verbal communication, a sense of friendly, and humor.

Mentorship compensation: Mentors or coaches will be compensated with the following to ensure consistency in sports activities.

  1. Award/recognition
  2. Access mentorship and coach training
  3. Honorarium
  4. Gift cards

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TEAM

Executive Council

William Goldiet

President

Kade Hardy

Vice President

Vacant

Secretary - Treasurer:

Elders

Angela Mueni

Div Kwanda

Contact

Please send us your inquiry using the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible! You can also send an email to info@ahavi.ca

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