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Sikh-Canadians Reach Out to Haiti

by LESLIE FERENC

 

 

Whatever it takes.

That's the unofficial rally call of Torontonians mobilizing in droves to support victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Scores, possibly hundreds of grassroots organizations and countless thousands of individuals across the Greater Toronto Area are pitching in to help, selflessly donating time and money.

Wednesday, students at public schools across the city are taking part in a PJ Day, donating what they can to wear their fuzzy slippers and fleece to classes in support of the Red Cross or Free the Children.

Within 48 hours of the earthquake, "United Sikhs were in Haiti, where volunteers set up a set up a base camp and community kitchen in Port-au-Prince," said Ramandeep Kaur.

A group from Toronto, including her father, Sarvinder Singh Pandher, landed Saturday and are distributing food, water, and blankets and medical help. They're manning a traditional Sikh langar, or community kitchen, set up to feed more than 5,000 people a day.

The volunteers paid their own way, bringing with them pots, pans and utensils donated by Brampton's Jot Prakash Gurdwara, as well as tents and storage units from Brar Tent House. American Airlines waived baggage weight restrictions, Ramandeep said, underscoring that it takes all members of a community to help the helpless.

After flying into the neighbouring Dominican Republic, the Sikh volunteers brought everything into Port-au-Prince on rented trucks and purchased more food en route. A fourth team is heading to Haiti Wednesday, bringing clothing, shoes and more food.

Ramandeep admits her family is worried, "especially because there was another 4.0 earthquake in Haiti on Sunday afternoon," she said. "In terms of medical safety, we've supplied him with loads of hand sanitizer and hope that he is using it often, since the risk for disease and infection continues to spread. My dad told us about the dead bodies that he see's lying on the side of the road and this concerns us because this increases the chances of infection.

"Aside from these concerns ... I am proud of what (he) and his friends are doing. I am also thankful to organizations like United Sikhs who are able to mobilize and gather supplies and products to give support to people in Haiti."

 

[Courtesy: The Toronto Star]

January 26, 2010

 

 

Conversation about this article

1: Raman Chawla (Ottawa, Canada), January 26, 2010, 4:15 PM.

Thanks for sharing this nice article. I am so proud to be a Sikh. Sikhs have always put the needs of others first and are always ahead in helping, saving lives. This is what our Gurus taught us.

2: Baljit Singh Rihal, JP (London, U.K.), January 27, 2010, 5:38 AM.

This truly is seva (selfless service). I applaud the Sikhs from Canada who have given up their time to aid the less fortunate in Haiti. You perform your seva without any expectation of recognition or award. Your spirit is supported by Sikhs all across the globe.

3: Gurdeep (Toronto, Ontario, Canada ), January 27, 2010, 11:21 AM.

I am proud of our Sikh sangat's going to Haiti and helping needy people. That is what our Gurus have taught us to do.

4: Manbir Singh Nirwan (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), January 28, 2010, 12:19 PM.

I am very proud of the group of Sikhs that went to aid the people of Haiti. This truly is an act of selfless service, which is a value held in high regard in Sikhism. I myself am proud to be a Sikh and hope that in times of need, people can count on the fact that Sikhs will always be ready to lend a helping hand.

5: Satinder Gill (Khanna, Punjab), January 29, 2010, 5:33 AM.

That is the spirit! I feel immense pride in being a Sikh, a Canadian citizen and a Torontonian to the core.

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