Multicultural ambassadors develop links with diaspora communities

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Many of the issues that impact children around the world relate directly to poverty.

For Edgardo Gonzales, life has come full circle. Growing up in Tondo, Manila, in the Philippines, he was a sponsored child and benefited from World Vision’s community development programming 40 years ago.

Now, as a philanthropy advisor for strategic fundraising initiatives for World Vision Canada, he is helping develop links with diaspora communities in Canada to help children and families around the world.

As chair of World Vision Canada’s Multicultural Council, Mr. Gonzales works with 12 multicultural council ambassadors (MCAs) to share the World Vision story with communities that make up the diverse population of this country. According to Statistics Canada’s 2016 census, about one in five people in Canada were born elsewhere.

“Our multicultural ambassadors bring to the table a unique perspective, and we are learning so much from it. In return, we offer the chance to stay closely connected to development work in countries for which they care deeply. Together we play an active and critical role in caring for the world’s most vulnerable children, through partnership,” says Eric Frans, vice president of Vision Partners, World Vision Canada.

“The MCAs are all leaders in their communities,” says Joe Daniel, vice-chair of the Multicultural Council and former MP for the Toronto riding of Don Valley East.

“We can tap into our own communities that are often an underutilized resource when it comes to tackling issues in the countries of our birth,” he adds.

Mr. Daniel notes that many of the issues that impact children around the world relate directly to poverty.

“We want to encourage the diverse communities to engage in the great programs World Vision Canada supports around the world – not just by providing food, but also helping children go to school and be educated,” he says.

“These children are the future, the next generation. If we can empower them to get out of poverty, they can contribute to the global community. For those of us who have come here from other countries and done well, it is our opportunity to pay back and help relieve poverty in countries around the world, many of the countries that we [immigrants] came from,” says Mr. Daniel.

As an MCA, Dr. Doaa Mohsen believes it is important to spread the charity’s mission as an organization that provides global relief, development and advocacy to empower children, families and their communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

“I’m passionate about it,” says Egyptian-born Dr. Mohsen, who is an ambassador to communities from the Middle East in addition to working with groups from other regions like South Asia and the Philippines.

“My contribution is connecting and bridging the gap between the Middle Eastern communities and World Vision Canada by raising awareness and explaining the role of the organization and the work it does around the world,” she says.

“Canada is blessed in terms of diversity, and the fabric of our society has many nationalities. It’s important for these communities to connect to World Vision and, so far, they have been receptive to learning more about the organization. But there is a lot more work to be done on the ground.”

She most wants to communicate World Vision’s philosophy.

“World Vision is full of love and care for communities around the world. It has a wealth of information to share. Let’s join hands with World Vision and give more to communities in need,” says Dr. Mohsen.

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