Winnipeg Oromo Union

Gamtaa Oromoo Winnipeg

Haroowwan Abijaataa Shaalaa (Oromia)

About Us

Winnipeg Oromo Union (WOU) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization whose vision is to establish a strong Oromo Community that can contribute to the well-being of its members and the Canadian Society at large.

WOU is established with the aim of uniting all Oromo community and their families living in Winnipeg in the bond of brotherhood, fellowship, mutual understanding and helpfulness at all times. The Union encourages its members to regularly attend and actively participate in all lodge meetings.

To establish a strong Oromo Community that can contribute to the well-being of its members and the Canadian Society at large

To empower members of the Association to use their God-given potential to be a successful person with integrity, respect, confidence and inclusiveness

To organize and educate members
To provide necessary support, orientation, assistance, and guidance to all Oromos coming to Winnipeg.
To organize and run projects that benefit the Union and its members
To organize social events such as shows, cultural nights, panel discussions etc.,
To endeavor to handle emergency situations that are beyond the capacity of the individual member involved and his/her family and which are not covered by Manitoba Government Social Assistance Programs,

Membership

Members

Full membership is open to a resident of Manitoba who is an Oromo, and is willing to uphold the terms and conditions of the Union’s Constitution and Bylaw. Associate membership may be granted to Oromos residing outside Manitoba and non-Oromos by the approval of the BoD. Honorary membership may be granted to a renowned person who has exceptionally contributed to the Oromo cause.

Benefits

A Member has a benefit of receiving Union’s support in terms of language
services, letter of recommendation, information sharing, refugee sponsorship services, networking, participation in social activities and similar other support within the capacity of the Union

Fees

Each full Member or Associate Member eighteen years of age or over, shall pay a registration fee of ten dollars ($10.00) plus annual membership fees payable as follows:

One person membership fee – $120 per year
Family (couple) membership fee – $150 per year

Oromo and Oromia

Oromia

The Oromia (aka Oromiyaa) is a regional state in Ethiopia, the homeland of the Oromo people. The capital city of the State of Oromia is Addis Ababa also known as Finfinne.

Currently the state consists of 21 administrative zones.

The Oromo People

The Oromo people are the native inhabitants of Eastern Africa. Their population s estimated to be 55 million, which makes it the largest ethnic group in Eastern Africa. There are thousands of Oromo people living in diaspora, largely residing in are United States of America, Australia, Canada, Norway, England and Sweden.

The Gada system

Gada system is an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo.

Gada is a traditional system of governance used by the Oromo people in Ethiopia developed from knowledge gained by community experience over generations. The system regulates political, economic, social and religious activities of the community dealing with issues such as conflict resolution, reparation and protecting women’s rights.

Afaan Oromoo (Oromo Language)

Afaan Oromo/ Oromo Language/ is an Afroasiatic language that belongs to the Cushitic branch. It is native to the Ethiopian state of Oromia and spoken predominantly by the Oromo people and neighbouring ethnic groups in the Horn of Africa.

Afaan Oromo is the single largest language spoken in east Africa and the 3rd widely spoken in sub saharan countries next to Hausa and Swahili.

Services We Provide

Social and Cultural Events

We organize social events, cultural shows and educational activities.

We compile educational materials on Oromo history, language, heritage and culture.

We organize the annual Oromo students graduation ceremony for graduates from high schools, collage and universities in Winnipeg.

Afaan Oromoo Classes

WOU provides basic Afaan Oromoo Proficiency training classes to anyone who might want to improve Oromo language proficiency.

Refugee Sponsorship

The goal of this program is to increase the awareness of our members regarding immigration processes and laws pertaining to such cases.

We sponsor workshops and try to bring subject matter experts who can provide lectures on the subjects that relate most with the need of our community members. This includes path to citizenship, how to apply for work permit, asylum cases, how to sponsor a family member and so forth.

Important links:
Sagantaa Baqatoota Spoonsershipii Dhuunffaa (Afaan Oromo)
Immigration to Canada Services and information
Sponsor a refugee
Groups of Five
Community Sponsors Sponsorship Agreement Holders

Youth Programs

Afaan Oromo Language Program:

Aged between 9 to 14.
Community voluntary teaching

Resume building (community voluntary)

Helping with writing resume
Sharing job post

Mental health

Connecting with professional

Summer sport activities

Soccer and other sport and event

Social and Cultural events

Social and cultural festivals (e.g. folklorama)
Cultural shows

Our Volunteer StafF

Mustefa Ebro

Chairman (Board of Directors)

Mustefa Ebro is a RN,BN. He studied BA at AAU, Registred Nurse, from Red River College, BsN from University of Manitoba and Athabasca university.