About SSA-GKC
Somali Students Association of Greater Kansas City was founded by ambitious students with a burning desire to help their community. The association is duly registered with the Missouri Secretary of State as a non-for-profit organization.
It is estimated that around 5000 Somalis live in the Kansas City metro area. Yet, relatively very small number of Somali students attend higher education institutions. Many factors are believed to be behind the low college enrollment among the community. Some students lack parental guide while in high school since their parents do not have formal education. Some students come to the United States with little or no prior formal education and as a result face mounting difficulty in adapting to school. High school students do not receive sufficient information on the possibilities of pursuing higher education thus making high school graduation their dead-end zone. Somali students in the metro area understood that secondary and further tertiary education is essential for community development and therefore must stand together to maximize their effort and alleviate all obstacles facing otherwise education oriented youngsters.
SSA-GKC will also partner with other local organizations serving the community by providing volunteer services and co-sponsoring community benefiting events.
SSA-GKC will seek to work with other Somali student associations in North America in an effort to mobilize students in the region and promote dialogue and knowledge sharing. SSA-GKC is now considering to join North America Somali Students Union (NASSU) and act as its chapter in Kansas City.
Our Philosophy
As today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders of the Somali Community, we understand our obligation to contribute for social change. That change must first come from and within us.
