About EACRDAA
A non-profit community association serving East African communities in Canada and abroad with compassion, inclusivity, and respect.
Community, at the heart of everything
The East African Canadian Relief and Development Association of Alberta (EACRDAA) was founded to support East African newcomers, refugees, women, youth, and vulnerable individuals as they build new lives in Canada.
Today our work spans two continents — providing settlement assistance, child care, education, job training, and financial literacy locally, while extending humanitarian relief, education, and support for orphans and girls across Eastern Africa.
From Canada to Eastern Africa
EACRDAA's impact spans two continents. We serve East African newcomers and families right here in Alberta while extending humanitarian support, education, and development programs to communities across Eastern Africa.
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Somalia
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- South Sudan
- Djibouti
Our Mission
To empower East African communities through educational, social, economic, and cultural programs and humanitarian assistance — helping every individual settle, succeed, and contribute.
Our Vision
Thriving, self-reliant communities where newcomers belong, families flourish, and no one is left behind — in Canada and across Eastern Africa.
Our core values
Compassion
We meet every person with empathy, dignity, and genuine care.
Inclusivity
We welcome all backgrounds, faiths, and stories into our community.
Respect
We honour the cultures, voices, and resilience of those we serve.
Integrity
We are transparent, accountable, and faithful stewards of every gift.
Board of Directors
Our board members bring deep community ties, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to equity, transparency, and service.
Mohamed Hassan
Board ChairWith over 20 years of community leadership in Edmonton, Mohamed guides EACRDAA's strategic direction and advocates for East African communities at the local and national level.
Amina Warsame
Executive DirectorAmina brings 15 years of nonprofit management experience and a deep commitment to newcomer empowerment, overseeing EACRDAA's programs, partnerships, and operations.
Tesfaye Girma
Board SecretaryDrawing on his background in law and public administration, Tesfaye ensures transparent governance and maintains the integrity of EACRDAA's records and policies.
Fatima Osman
TreasurerA certified accountant with a passion for financial inclusion, Fatima oversees EACRDAA's financial health and ensures accountability to donors, members, and stakeholders.
Meet the team
Our dedicated staff deliver programs every day with care, consistency, and deep cultural understanding.
Leila Ahmed
Program ManagerLeila coordinates EACRDAA's full portfolio of community programs, ensuring services are delivered with consistency and cultural sensitivity across all departments.
Samuel Tadesse
Settlement CoordinatorSamuel works directly with newcomer families to navigate their first months in Canada, connecting them with housing, language support, and essential community resources.
Hodan Farah
Youth & Women Program LeadHodan designs and leads educational and empowerment initiatives that build skills, confidence, and lasting community connections for young people and women.
Dawit Bekele
Volunteer & Events CoordinatorDawit recruits, trains, and supports EACRDAA's volunteer network and coordinates cultural celebrations and community events throughout the year.