Waaberi Community Development Association ‘WACODA’ is established December 1997 particularly for the benefit of Somali refugees in need living in South London to relief poverty, to advance education, preserve and protect health and provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or leisure- time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of such persons.

We have different activities such as; Supplementary school, Football team (who are the winners of Last year’s refugee week cup), summer playscheme and general advice work for our community.

We are members of local and national umbrella bodies, such as: Lambeth Voluntary Action Council - LVAC, Evelyn Oldfield Unit.
We have already entered in consultation with some key local providers who have a track record of targeted provisions for marginalised communities. This include: Lambeth Small Business Growth initiatives, who have undertaken extensive work with the Somali community in Lambeth; Family Friends, from Brixton, who have a similar initiative for young people; The Community Zone, who also provide training for young people and the Noh Budget Films and the London Print Works Trust, Lambeth Crime Prevention Trust and Community Drug Education Project who have a track record of engaging young people in learning and skills development.
In addition to the above, the organisation have also developed a working relationship with:
Streatham Town Centre, Streatham Library, Streatham Police, Streatham Methodist Church, Local Resident Associations; such as Gleneagle Road, Babbington Road and Stanthorpe Road Resident Associations, as well as local councillors and MP. There are monthly meeting of a steering group as well as six-monthly one for all to discuss local issues.
Streatham Library, Streatham Town Centre and Waaberi Community Development Association have organised together Celebrating Somali Culture Day event at Streatham Library, on the 19th of October 2002, as it will be part of Black History Month. There will be more than 100 guests, Somali Food, Music, Textiles, storytelling; as well as Displays, Exhibitions and children’s activities throughout a day.
Waaberi is also a leading group for recently established of London Somali Development Partnership, which have more than 13 local Somali Business, as well as three Somali Community Organisations. We are also member of other umbrellas, such as; Somali UK Sports and Community Development ‘SUSCA’; Black Londoners Forum, Lambeth Community Empowerment Network, Lambeth Voluntary Action Council, Refugee Council, Evelyn Oldfield Unit, The Refugee Council and others.

• The User Involvement
We will make sure to reflect our users by keeping in touch with them and holding regular meetings. In these meetings we discuss with them about future plans, running and evaluating our services, as well as the activities.
Our members elect the members of our management committee. They know their need and have close links with them. Most of our users are members of the Waaberi Association. They are also representative of our client group, so this reflects the community we serve. Although our Office is very small, it is easily accessible to everyone including wheel chair users.

• Obtaining Access to our services
The people can obtain access to our services by several ways, such as:
Making contacts with the other organisations with similar interests, exchange information and leaflets for publicity.
Publicising our services in community venues, like shops, local restaurants, GPs and Libraries. Also holding monthly meeting with the local community.

This is the structure of Waaberi Community Development Association:
GENERAL MEETING
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
CHAIRPERSON
VICE CHAIR
SECRETARY
TREASURER
MEMBERS