Lifetime of memories in Africa for Western Coast volunteer

September 25, 2019

Sept. 27, 2019. At Western Coast Insurance Services, we give back to our communities — as your neighbours, we’re always active in our search for opportunities to enhance the places we live, work and play.

One of our team members at our Clayton Crossing location has furthered this commitment to charity, extending his own volunteerism past Surrey, BC to Kilifi, Kenya — and using his vacation time to do so.

Ashif Ismail, assistant branch manager, visited Africa in June 2019.

“I really wanted to do something that would give back in a big way,” he said, noting he strives to be a role model for his family as well as the wider community.

For two weeks Ashif planted trees for climate resistant agriculture, cleaned trash from a beach, worked on a home for a man who lost his in a recent flood, helped feed a village and taught about hygiene.

“I will remember the reactions for the rest of my life,” Ismail said. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Back home in Surrey, Ismail enjoys volunteering and sees it as his obligation.

“I am lucky enough to be well known in the Fiijian community of the Lower Mainland through my many active years of playing soccer,” he said, sharing that he uses his position in sports to give back.

Having won the 2018 Canadian National Championship — the first Fiijian from Vancouver to do so — Ismail is attempting to show youth that volunteerism is cool, regardless of a person’s age.

Way to go Ashif from everyone at Western Coast!