About Us
Who are we?
People often move from place to place for opportunities or some fulfilments. Migration stimulates economic activities that contribute to the growth of many places. Every year, millions of people across the world come to Canada for many different reasons, adding value to its economy and enriching the cultural diversity. According to Statistics Canada, “immigrants are making important contributions across every sector of Canada’s economy”. They study in our communities, do business, and build families here.
Like other impactful decisions we make in life, relocating to a new place, either temporarily or permanently, comes with its own peculiar challenges. It boils down to how quickly we can adapt to our new environment. Societal differences in ways of life may induce some degree of cultural shock, which may elongate the time it takes a typical immigrant to settle and start making more efficient contributions to Canadian society.
It is common for travelers, particularly those of African descent, to encounter setbacks while trying to build a new life as soon as they arrive. Typical examples of these are licensing requirements, proof of language proficiencies, acceptable educational background, employment history, finding suitable living space to rent, limited access to day care facilities, navigating certain legal hurdle, or even commuting between places. It is imperative that they can access much basic information in one piece at their convenience, to enable them to integrate quicker and unleash their full potentials.
Mmiri Ventures Inc. operates this platform to provide opportunities for African newcomers to find useful resources around them, exchange great ideas and information with others, discover upcoming events and social gatherings, and learn about their local communities.
Why the name “mmiri”?
Now, let’s dive into an African fairy tale. In the twilight of the morning, Obioma, his wife, and two children set out for a long journey to Obodo Ukwu Kingdom. The new moon festival is in two days, and the family is traveling to witness it. They must reach the Obodo market square before sunset. Water, food items, and a place to sleep are to be secured before the market becomes deserted for the night. It is getting darker by the minute. Jideofor and his little sister, Ndidi have walked besides their parents for almost an entire day. “Father, I am so thirsty and need some rest”, Jideofor exclaimed. Obioma replied, “My son, I understand it is getting quite dark, but until we meet someone from this village who will give us water to drink, show us where to get some food, and a place to pass the night, we will keep walking.”
In the traditional Igbo culture of Africa, inhabitants of a settlement typically extend welcoming gestures to visitors or travelers in their communities by way of comforting them. Water is offered as the most significant of the gestures to quench thirst and replenish the body. It symbolizes comfort and rejuvenation of life. Other gestures that may follow include providing a temporary shelter and some food. The word “mmiri” in the Igbo language translates to water.
The business name “mmiri” used in a metaphorical sense is a gesture in Igbo culture, extended to visitors or travelers seen in a community to comfort, rejuvenate, and encourage them.
