New Eritrean Community Center Launches Ambitious Programs
Michael Abraha
February 21, 2009
The new Eritrean Community Association in Santa Clara´s Silicon Valley has announced its plans for the rest of the year ranging from education to job training and placement programs for Eritrean nationals. The announcement was made by the Secretary of the Association, Mr. Asmerom Ghile, during an inaugural ceremony at the weekend at the grand auditorium of the Portuguese Community Center near Santa Clara University. The Association is to serve, among other things, as an information center for jobs and scholarships for Eritreans, according to Asmerom.
Many Eritreans gathered Saturday evening (02/14/2009) to launch the new center which first came into being three months ago. Inaugural participants were treated to delicious Eritrean cuisine and top Eritrean music presented by DJs Tesfai Estifanos and renowned Eyob ´Dijay´.
This was followed by a briefing on what the new center has achieved so far and where it was heading.
Center Secretary Asmerom pointed to the challenges faced by Eritrean immigrant professionals. He said special programs were being worked out to assist them to find the right jobs commensurate with their qualifications and educational background. Asmerom added that there would be opportunities for Eritrean students interested in internship programs in the areas of mass communications. The center was also working on scholarships for interested female students in political leadership, he said.
Association Chair Tighist Gerezgher, who is a week or so away from delivering a new baby, said the center would bring Eritrean students together to discuss issues that directly affect their lives and to find ways of enhancing their cultural heritage. She said the center would soon be hosting seminars and debate forums under such topics as ´Diaspora´s challenges in preserving culture´; ´Community and political organizations´; ´Factors limiting women participation in community organizations´. Tighisti urges interested individuals to choose their topics for presentation and send them to the Association´s yahoo group address ECSJ@yahoogroups.com or to tighisti.gerezgher@yahoo.com
Also present on the occasion was Art Collector Temesgen W. Selassie who donated to the community 30 of his black/white and color photos depicting Eritrean modern history and culture from 1900 through 1997.
Michael Abraha is Media and Human Rights Advocate and can be reached at mike@RefugeeResearch.org
Many Eritreans gathered Saturday evening (02/14/2009) to launch the new center which first came into being three months ago. Inaugural participants were treated to delicious Eritrean cuisine and top Eritrean music presented by DJs Tesfai Estifanos and renowned Eyob ´Dijay´.
This was followed by a briefing on what the new center has achieved so far and where it was heading.
Center Secretary Asmerom pointed to the challenges faced by Eritrean immigrant professionals. He said special programs were being worked out to assist them to find the right jobs commensurate with their qualifications and educational background. Asmerom added that there would be opportunities for Eritrean students interested in internship programs in the areas of mass communications. The center was also working on scholarships for interested female students in political leadership, he said.
Association Chair Tighist Gerezgher, who is a week or so away from delivering a new baby, said the center would bring Eritrean students together to discuss issues that directly affect their lives and to find ways of enhancing their cultural heritage. She said the center would soon be hosting seminars and debate forums under such topics as ´Diaspora´s challenges in preserving culture´; ´Community and political organizations´; ´Factors limiting women participation in community organizations´. Tighisti urges interested individuals to choose their topics for presentation and send them to the Association´s yahoo group address ECSJ@yahoogroups.com or to tighisti.gerezgher@yahoo.com
Also present on the occasion was Art Collector Temesgen W. Selassie who donated to the community 30 of his black/white and color photos depicting Eritrean modern history and culture from 1900 through 1997.
Michael Abraha is Media and Human Rights Advocate and can be reached at mike@RefugeeResearch.org
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