This morning, we *finally* got to learn a little bit more about one of our newest members, Shamsa Hassan-Brooks, as she delivered her Vocational Talk.
 
Shamsa briefly talked about her arrival to Canada from war-torn Somalia as a child in 1991 before discussing Kobciye (www.kobciye.org), an organization founded by her late father to help young Somali refugees in Kenya.  Based in Kenya, Kobciye aims to help Somali youth - primarily young men - avoid violent extremism.   Armed with a university degree and as a recent graduate of Loyalist's International Development program, Shamsa and her brother returned to Kenya to work with Somalis mired in the worlds' largest slum, Kiberia.  
 
With little prospects, and no legal standing in the country, the youth within Kiberia is ripe for radicalization; Kobciye offers these kids training in business, drama, and community policing.  Each year, an anti-terrorist conference is held to bring together moderate religious leaders and those trained to help.  They've have reached a level of success that's made the Canadian government take notice:  they have approached Shamsa and Kobciye to offer a similar program to young Somalis in Canada's urban centres.  It's hoped that they will be able assist refugees ease into Canadian society and avoid the pitfalls of being radicalized.  
 
They have given themselves an incredible task, and we know Shamsa and her brother are ready for it.  QSR is extremely proud to have Shamsa as one of our very own - her experiences will make us all richer.
 
Good luck Shamsa!