Programs & Services > Community and Neighbourhood Development > 10th Anniversary
Community and Neighbourhood Development 10th Anniversary
Naga Ramalingam - CND Community Development Worker
Every country is my country; every one is my kinsman
Kaniyan Poonkundran, Ancient Tamil Poet
Naga Ramalingam, CND Community Development Worker has many memories from the 13 years that he has worked for Family Service Association of Toronto. Of all the recollections, though, one of Naga’s favourites takes place outside of the city.
The Madawaska River flows from Algonquin Park to Arnprior, near Ottawa. For 5000 years, the river was a transportation route for First Nation’s people. In the more recent past, it conveyed fur traders and carried logs to sawmills. Hydroelectric development has subdued the river, once the fiercest in the area, but it is still famous for its terrific white water canoeing and glorious scenery formed by the glacial retreat 8000 years ago.
From 1998 to 2000, youths aged 17 to 20 from Iranian, Tamil, Somali and Serbian newcomer communities of Toronto travelled to the Madawaska River for a wilderness adventure. The challenge was based on the principle that sometimes it is necessary to leave the familiar and challenge oneself in order to find the inner core of strength to realize full potential.
Boundless, an organization, which
specializes in providing wilderness adventures for newcomer and vulnerable
groups, conducted the program. The white water challenges on the
Madawaska River and other outdoor activities are designed, the Boundless website
states, as "metaphors for facing the tests of everyday life."
"It was strenuous: white water rafting, canoeing, orienteering,
tree identification, three days of new skills," said Naga about
the experience. In addition, there were leadership development tasks
designed to increase self-esteem and team-building exercises to enhance
the importance of community and relationships. "Everyone participated
very well. They enjoyed it."
The experience helped to create a confidence among the youth that led to the innovative "Youth Speak Against Violence" forum in 2000. Naga was very proud that youth from each of the four newcomer groups took the lead in organizing and presenting material and information.
The Boundless adventures and "Youth Speak Against Violence" were projects that touched all four communities" said Naga. The youth responded very well and consequently built a social network that decreasing the isolation felt by so many newcomers.
It makes no difference where a person is from. The river doesn’t know. A traveller along the route is merely a citizen of the river. It offers an equal challenge for all, whatever their roots may be, and an opportunity to draw strength from the experience.
by Jane Schmidt
- Kim Hinton - CND Manager
- Michele Lupa - former CND Manager
- Deborah Konecny - Family Are Important Resources Co-ordinator
- Naga Ramalingam - CND Community Development Worker
- Abdirahman Sabriye - Community Development Worker
- Salma Sarour - former Building Bridges Co-ordinator
- Shokofeh Dilmaghani - CND Community Development Worker
- Sophia Ali - GUHD Co-ordinator
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