I listened in awe to the news item on CBC where Terry MacLeod was talking to a member of the Sudanese community about the financial dilemma they’re having in upkeep their community on Dagmar Street. The gentleman was pleading for help in maintaining the Centre and paying overdue taxes.
It seems clear that this small Sudanese community has bitten off more than it can chew. Someone did not do the proper research to see what is involved in owning a building. Many newcomers arrive here with rose colored glasses and the see the possibility in living the great American or Canadian dream. But things are not as they appear and they soon find out the hard way.
That old building that the community bought was a mistake and my advice to them is to cut their losses and run. Even if the City forgives the current debt could the Sudanese community by itself sustain that building? Many more established communities in Winnipeg have struggled for years to have their own building; some have bought and had to sell. It is not as easy as it appears and there needs to be a lot of thought and planning put into it before the decision is made.
Newcomers must be counseled into how to go about investing in these projects about which they have little knowledge. Many newcomers see the government as source for everything; other sees the community as unending supporters of all the causes that are out there. There are those who are raising funds for orphanages back home, those who are raising funds to build buildings, those who are raising funds for HIV, those who are raising funds for Grandmothers, those who are raising funds to build libraries, those who are raising funds to help free political prisoners, those who are raising funds to help women and children right here in Winnipeg. The Black /African community population is small and it is a tax on the community to support all these worthwhile projects. Priorities must be made by both communities and individuals.
While buying a building might be easy, its upkeep is never easy – ask any home-owner. There is always something to be done and while you would have to find the money to keep a roof over your head, people will not and maybe could not dig into their pockets to keep a community building going. When you have a community building all the community resources are taken up with fundraising to sustain the building and the big picture is lost in the money pit.
The Sudanese community ought to use resources that are in the community for their events – there are schools, other community centres have been established for a long time and churches that can be accessed. Every little community does not need to own a building, get over it and think outside the box.
Going on CBC and crying will not help you. There are many organizations crying for the same dollar. Is it a case where newcomers are either not getting the support they need in understanding Canadian system and ways of doing things or perhaps the newcomers are given good advice but believe they know better and go ahead with their plans?
As taxpayers, we have a lot on our plate and I think our priority is to provide services and space for community to meet. In this regard the University of Winnipeg has embraced the refugee community and I am sure will gladly provide a meeting space for the Sudanese community events. Release the burden of the building and go back to the drawing board. Do your research and find out what resources are available in the community for your people to access. There are youth programs everywhere in the city. Connect your youths to what is available. The most important thing for any community is to support your people, be the connector, use what is there and do not go reinventing the wheel.
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