Established in 2023
Abune Teklehaymanot Mutual Assistance Association Edir –
Greater Toronto Area
Ethiopian and Eritrean Canadians residing in the Greater Toronto Area, having common culture, religion, and cherished and compassionate values recognized the need to form an association that enables them to help each other in life and death.
Our Vision
The vision of this community is to create a strong association of Ethiopian/Eritrean Canadians residing in the Greater Toronto Area to assist one another in life and in death in Ethiopian traditional community life and timeless Biblical imperatives.
Our Mission
The mission of this association is to reach Ethiopian/Eritrean Canadians residing in the Greater Toronto Area who have common compassionate values for membership and help each other in life and death.
Objectives of Abune Teklehaymanot Mutual Assistance Association Edir
- To provide financial assistance for funeral services and to transport the body of a member of the “ Edir ” to a final resting place.
- To disseminate information to the members of the “ Edir ” about a death of a member.
- To coordinate and assign the tasks associated with the death of a member.
- To encourage members to be present in the mourning process and to console the surviving family members of the deceased member.
- To provide the necessary information about funeral services or for transporting the body of a deceased member to the family members.
- To add any other objective that is believed to be necessary for the usefulness of the members.
Establishment
Bylaws of Abune Teklehaymanot Mutual Assistance Association Edir – Greater Toronto Area
- Greater Toronto Area includes the City of Toronto, Regional Municipalities of Peel, Halton, York and Durham.
- A family mean consists of a legally bonded father and mother and their biological offspring, including legally adopted children.
- A single parent means a father or a mother who brings up his/her children alone.
- A member’s death shall be determined as per a legal death certificate issued by a medical doctor/coroner.
- Ethiopian Canadians include Ethiopians who are Permanent Residents of Canada, Canadian citizens of Ethiopian origin and offspring of Canadians of Ethiopian origin and Ethiopian Canadian Permanent Residents.
Self-help Objectives
1.
In the event of the death of a member in good standing:
1.1
The Association, by Articles 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 2.7 hereunder, will assist in contributing towards the funeral/burial expense of a deceased member in good standing (hereafter referred to as a member). This contribution shall be made within 48 hours to the designated legal beneficiary of the deceased supported by a legitimate death certificate issued by medical authorities.
1.2
The Association will also comfort and extend its condolences to survivors of the deceased member in accordance with Articles 2.8, 2.10 and 2.11.
1.3
The Association, through its elder members, will provide counselling and spiritual guidance to survivors of the deceased member.
1.4
When a member (i.e. married, single parent or a single member) in good standing is deceased, the Association shall cover the full funeral/burial service in the amount of $ $12,000.00, including floral and related costs. When a member is willing to conduct their own funeral arrangement, the Association shall pay an amount equivalent to the cost of a regular funeral arrangement in the amount of $ $12,000.00 as above to the member spouse or beneficiary designated in the will of the deceased member.
1.5
The Funeral/burial service coverage amount will be covered in the following two ways:
A. The Association shall pay $4,500.00 directly from its own account. The remaining amount (maximum $7,000.00) to conduct the full funeral service shall be divided equally between members of the Association each time a member is deceased.
This will help relieve the financial burden of the Association and will keep the cost down. However, when the Association’s financial capacity reaches to a fairly stable level and upon mutual agreement among members of the Association, the Association will cover the full funeral expense without the requirement of the member’s contribution.
B. The Association shall make a contribution of $500 to the designated beneficiary to cover floral and related funeral expense
1.6
When a legal and registered child of a member who is under 21 years old is deceased, $1,000.00 will be paid within 48 hours for funeral/burial expenses to the parent(s) of the deceased.
1.7
The Association shall appropriately co-ordinate, cover all related expenses and complete the funeral services provided in Articles 2.4 only.
1.8
Members of the Association are obliged to attend funeral/burial services for the deceased member and make visitations to the deceased’s home according to the instructions provided by the Executive Committee, depending on the particular circumstances. However, all members are obliged to attend the burial service of the deceased.
1.9
Persons who have paid their initial registration fee and membership fees for at least six months are eligible to receive full funeral/burial and related expenses through their designated beneficiary upon death.
2.
Assistance to the living members in good standing: (not including members who have received funeral/burial service coverage for their loved ones)
2.1
A member who has made his/her registration fee and paid uninterrupted monthly membership payments for at least five years is entitled to 30% of the total contribution made upon voluntary withdrawal from membership of the Association.
2.2
A member who has made his/her registration fee and paid uninterrupted monthly membership payments for ten years or more is entitled to 50% of the total contribution made upon voluntary withdrawal from membership of the Association.