Kitchener's Rohingya Centre hopes to become 'beacon of hope' for international community

The newly developed Rohingya Centre of Canada in Kitchener, Ont., offers a home away from home for the growing community that's faced many challenges.

"The community centre is kind of a safety net for them, home away from home," saidSaifullah Muhammad, co-founder of the centre, in an interview with The Morning Edition show host Craig Norris. Muhammad isbeing recognized asone of CBC K-W'sWaterloo region Changemakers.

Waterloo region is home to about 700 of Canada's 1,000 Rohingya community members.The Rohingya people are a Muslim ethnic minority group from Myanmar, formerly Burma, who have been the target of persecution.

A couple of years ago, Muhammadnoticed a gap in services and support, so he helped launch the centre as a solution, supporting people with various needs, from helping with job applications to running daily activities for youth.

Milestones, next steps

Muhammad said one of the greatest successes is the tight-knit community the centre has been able to foster. He said people from across Canada come together every month in an event.

"Our community is succeeding. They're buying houses. They're employed they're doing good and they're coming together," he said.

Muhammadsaid the goalnow is to represent the centre on an international level so it acts as a beacon of hope for the Rohingya community internationally and become a solid foundation for the next generation.

"It's ... to create hope for those looking at us from different countries, mostly the Rohingya young people, to create this Rohingya centre as a beacon of hope for the Rohingya community all over the world."

Muhammad said that right now, centre administration staff are working with the Canadiangovernment to help resettle refugees from Bangladesh and other parts of the world.

Watch a clip:

In this video clip, Muhammad shares the centre's accomplishmentsover the past few years and hopes to expand in the future.

WR Changemakers: Saifullah Muhammad

12 months ago

Duration 2:10

Saifullah Muhammad, co-founder of the Rohingya Centre of Canada in Kitchener, is being recognized for the community hub he created for the Rohingya population.

Listen to the full interview:

Waterloo region Changemakers17:30Waterloo region Changemakers: Saifullah Muhammad

CBC K-W's Waterloo region Changemakers project aims to highlight people who have made a positive impact on the community through their work and story. The project is to honour the team's 10 year anniversary in the region. Saifullah Muhammad, co-founder of the Rohingya Centre of Canada in Kitchener, is being recognized for the community hub he helped create for the local population.