{"id":3618,"date":"2021-08-04T08:16:36","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T14:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/?page_id=3618"},"modified":"2021-10-26T12:42:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T18:42:37","slug":"board-of-directors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/?page_id=3618","title":{"rendered":"Board of Directors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">President<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patrice-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3737\" width=\"201\" height=\"134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patrice-edited.jpg 515w, https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Patrice-edited-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 201px) 85vw, 201px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patrice N Gaheshi is a husband to Maryjane and a father to two beautiful girls Hoza and Keza. He is a Burundian who immigrated to Canada in 2013 .<br>His life experience , working with refugees and immigrants in different countries have created a passion in him to work with people with different background. His education in Social Work, Community Development and Human Services Professional; made him more equipped to serve his community effectively. Patrice believes in building a Community that involves and honor every talent and skills of everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>\u201cWe cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community\u2026..Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.\u201d Cesar Chavez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Patrice Gaheshi, President<\/strong> <strong>BCAC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vice-President<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Nana-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3747\" width=\"238\" height=\"158\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My name is Lyse Riza. I was born and raised in Burundi. Traditionally, Burundi is a herding society where cattle \u201cInka\u201d holds a great deal of power in its culture. Such a power that it is even reflects in the way they greet one another \u2013 \u201cAmashyo\u201d, translated as \u201cmay you have herds of cattle\u201d &#8211; or the way they name their children. My surname Riza was inspired by that tradition for it translates as the first born female calf, given that as I am a first born-girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I immigrated to Canada in the Autumn of 2002 with my young family, pursued my post-secondary education thereafter, graduated in 2008 and started my career as a public servant that same year. I am a blessed mother of three beautiful children. I enjoy long walks in nature, playing music, staying active and I speak a total of five languages &#8211; English, French, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My passion for arts, the love for dance and the knowledge of what People of African Descent have contributed to the world in terms of arts and beyond;&nbsp;&nbsp;are all to be credited for what started as an aspiration to connect with others, to a fully-fledged and active involvement in all affairs that seek to bring unity and collaboration, to build an even stronger community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armed with a mission to promote Burundian rich cultural heritage, I have lead, organized, planned and coordinated through musical and theatrical performances, my Burundian fellows of Calgary since 2016 and together we have been part of many wedding ceremonies; communities celebrations; festivals; workshops; sport and cultural events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Namely:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Marcus Garvey Youth Leadership Recognition and Awards Presentation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>United Nations Association of Calgary for the United Nations\u2019 70th Anniversary Celebration<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Global Fest YYC 2016<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Canada Day Celebrations (2016-2017) in the community of Rosscarrock<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Unity Dance Across Africa with Woezo<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Ethnica Events organized by Afrikadey Arts and Culture Society<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Caribbean Heritage Sports Competition (5th Annual)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>60th&nbsp;Guinean Independence Day Celebration<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Umuco Cultural Dance Black History Heritage Workshop<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Journ\u00e9e Internationale de la Femme 2018 &amp;2020 by the Portail de L\u2019Immigrant Association.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My leadership and planning skills served me well when I organized the 2019 Black History Month workshops. These informative workshops were scheduled throughout the month of February and spoke on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diversity and Inclusion,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Mental health,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Parenting,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Personal finance and real estate,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The arts of motion picture,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Les Franco-Africains de Calgary,<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The role of the Black Church in Calgary<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Visual poetry, and<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Youth and the Law.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also appreciate the need to relay the cultural knowledge and musical heritage to younger generations. My dance company&nbsp;Tuvyine Inc. with Lyse Riza&nbsp;in collaboration with&nbsp;INGO Solidarity Association of Alberta&nbsp;through the&nbsp;Burundi Connection Program&nbsp;provides dance lessons to a group of youngsters between the ages of four and fifteen since Spring of 2019. I prepared their dance choreographies and authored their scripts at the following events:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>INGO Solidarity Association of Alberta\u2019s&nbsp;2020 New Year celebration<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>2020 Ethnik Festival.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My involvement in the Multi-cultural community of Calgary has not gone unnoticed. I am a proud recipient of the following accolades:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2020 AC Awards- Unsung Heroes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2018 Certificate of Appreciation For Support and Inspiration in Service to the Afro-Caribbean Community of Calgary, by Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, Ward 9<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Le Prix B\u00e9n\u00e9vole 2018, by PIA Association<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Indo-Canadian Community Association Award for Diversity<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Certificate of Appreciation as a Community Partner by the&nbsp;Black History Heritage Society&nbsp;2019<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Le Prix Leadership et B\u00e9n\u00e9vole 2020, by PIA Association.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>I am also an avid volunteer who sits in on a few local and national organizations\u2019 Boards:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Fountain of Orphans and Vulnerable Women (FOVW)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Calgary BLACK Connection (CBC)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Soutien Entre les Burundais du Canada (S.E.B.C &#8211; Dushigikirane)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Derni\u00e8re Demeure Internationale (DDI)<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I believe in working together to build a better tomorrow for all of us. My slogan is&nbsp;\u201clive and love without reserve\u201d in order to have a fulfilling journey on earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lyse Riza, Vice-President BCAC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Secretary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-orest-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3751\" width=\"228\" height=\"171\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Orest Ndabaneze, Secretary of BCAC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treasurer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Ange.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3754\" width=\"186\" height=\"236\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am married and a mother of two (aged 8 and 3 boy and girl respectively). I am a health care worker in Calgary, working with the elderly ensuring their safety and well being daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Growing up I loved to sing and dance, and I worked with several vulnerable youth groups including street children in Burundi training them in dance and art, and meeting their basic needs like food, clothing, and education. Dance is a great therapy and best way to connect with people from several social, cultural, religious, and economic backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2016, I was nominated for the Arts and Culture award organized by UMUCO. I am committed to helping young people understand the importance of traditional dance and I do this through coaching, teaching as well as mentoring young people in our community so as to protect and grow our heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My goal in life is to empower young people with skills and talent that will boost their character and self esteem,my engagement and involvement in the Burundian community Association of Calgary will see me engage young people in our community in dance and training them to become committed to their culture and proud of their origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ange Mbonicizanye, Treasurer of BCAC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Reacher<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane-1020x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3755\" width=\"203\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane-1020x1024.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane-768x771.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/PHOTO-Liliane.jpg 1065w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 203px) 85vw, 203px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Liliane Bapfunya, Community reacher of BCAC<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Patrice N Gaheshi is a husband to Maryjane and a father to two beautiful girls Hoza and Keza. He is a Burundian who immigrated to Canada in 2013 .His life experience , working with refugees and immigrants in different countries have created a passion in him to work with people with different background. His education in Social Work, Community Development and Human Services Professional; made him more equipped to serve his community effectively. Patrice believes in building a Community &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/?page_id=3618\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Board of Directors&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3618","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3618"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3940,"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3618\/revisions\/3940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bcacalgary.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}