- info@fvmabc.org
Fraser Valley Malayalee Association (FVMA) is a congregation of people from the South Indian state of Kerala living in the Fraser Valley region of the Province of British Columbia. Fraser Valley has had Malayalee’s living here for over 40 years. The community takes part in social events and was awarded the best float in the 2007 Canada Day Parade on July 1st in Abbotsford. With the advent of new immigrants, especially young families arriving in the region, a need for common platform to share and care for each other become a necessity. This led to the formation of an informal entity called Abbotsford Malayalee Community (AMC) in 2016.
Malayalee’s are highly educated and a vibrant community coming from the most literate state in India. They have always made their presence felt in their county of domicile through easy assimilation into the society, deeply employed in the medical, educational, IT and other industries. By holding regular community gatherings, celebrating festivals, exchanging traditional cuisines and inviting local residents and dignitaries to showcase their contribution to the society, they are expanding rapidly and becoming a force to reckon in the region.
The purpose of the Fraser Valley Association is to bring all Malayalee’s under a single umbrella, remain united and committed towards promoting and retaining the cultural heritage of Malayalee’s in the region and to grow in strength free of any allegiance to any particular region, or religion. The association strongly believes in contributing to the community through cultural exchanges, voluntary work and value added services to people in need. Solely, aimed at serving the community for a – better tomorrow.
Create a platform for our members to foster friendship, assimilate and practice the best values of the society we live in, while retaining the cultural heritage and traditions of Kerala.
Pursue and promote values of diversity, inclusion and cultural integration in all walks of life for a better tomorrow in our country that is built on the strength of diversity.
Please see https://kerala.gov.in/
Malayalee’s have been in Canada for over 60 years, serving primarily in the medical and educational sectors. People form Kerala have settled in almost all provinces in Canada with the largest communities being in Ontario and Alberta. BC is not too far behind, several academicians and medicos have served this region for decades.
Abbotsford Malayalee Community (AMC) was formed by a group of young families people who moved to Abbotsford from other parts of BC and Canada. Their desire to stay connected with their roots, grow in strength and pass on the cultural values and traditions to the future generation has been the driving force in forming the association. The community regularly held gatherings and picnics for its members where regional festivals were celebrated, traditional cuisine was served and the common language was celebrated. As more and more members joined from across the Fraser valley, the need for a more inclusive name and a formal structure was identified. From an informal entity in 2016, an association was formally registered with the Province of British Columbia as a not-for-profit society in 2018 under the name of Fraser Valley Malayalee Association (FVMA). We salute the people who had the foresight to make this happen.
The vision of the founders are being carried on by the torch bearers with a mission to succeed and make an indelible mark in the community.
Jose Varghese (President), Manoj Panicker (Vice President), Ajay Mathai (Secretary), Geo Chittatt (Treasurer), Chippy Akhil (Joint Secretary- Arts), Linto Luka (Joint Secretary – Sports), Nivil Thomas (Joint Secretary – Outreach), Manu George, Biju Varghese, Anu Antu, Sojan Jacob, Smitha Shyju.
