Ni Wakati, which means “It’s Time” in Swahili, began as a community kitchen project in May 2007. The idea emerged after interviews with newly arrived African immigrant and refugee women living with chronic health conditions, as well as their healthcare providers. These conversations highlighted issues of isolation caused by multiple barriers, including language challenges, limited health literacy, and the stigma surrounding certain chronic conditions both within the broader community and among African cultural groups.
The community kitchen was envisioned as a safe space where women could connect, share meals they prepared together, and discuss their health-related needs. It became a supportive environment where participants could exchange ideas, share strength, and collectively confront challenges.
Over time, the community kitchen evolved into a formal organization better equipped to address broader health concerns and social needs. In January 2009, Ni Wakati officially became the African Women’s Health Services Society (AWHSS) and was incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia, receiving designation as a Charitable Organization.
Since its inception, AWHSS has expanded its mandate to advocate for and address issues affecting African immigrant and refugee women as they navigate settlement and integration into Canadian society. We provide culturally and linguistically sensitive support, education, and advocacy focused on health and social needs. Our services now include health navigation, peer support, mental wellness programs, and community engagement initiatives designed to bridge gaps in essential services. Through leadership and advocacy, AWHSS continues to address the social determinants of health impacting African women and their families throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.lth conditions.