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Sahaita extends
hands to orphans
Fund-raising dinner by Punjabi American Heritage Society receives
overwhelming response
 YUBA
CITY: Responding to the dedicated sewa profile of Dr. Harkesh Singh
Sandhu-led Sahaita, presenting the dire needs for intervention by
the Diaspora, members and supporters of the Punjabi American
Heritage Society hosted a fundraiser at the Walnut Community Hall
that evinced overwhelming response from the more than 200 people
present at the fundraising dinner.
Founded four years ago, Sahaita is in the forefront of assisting and
empowering underprivileged children without any distinction of
caste, creed and religion.
Jasbir S. Kang,
a leading doctor of the area said that it is in the difficulties
times of recession that the fortunate should consider helping the
less fortunate.
In his report to
the prospective donors, Dr. Sandhu explained that Sahaita had
organized close to 8 health check up camps in month of October 2008
( 6 in Punjab, one each in Himachal and Haryana. He said that the
team of
California
based health providers from Veterans administration clinic in
Martinez went to India on their own expenses and served for those 3
weeks.
He said that
Sahaita was also involved in caring and looking after nearly 150
poor, physically and mentally challenged, deaf and mute and orphans.
Touching the raw
nerve of the diners, Dr Sandhu narrated a heart-rending story, which
was the beginning of his Sewa work. While in India in March 2008, he
said, he met two young girls who were blinded by cataracts. Their
father, a migrant worker, couldn't afford the surgery they needed,
he said. "I said, 'This is not right,'" and he returned to
California and raised the Rs 100,000 necessary for the surgery at
his work. The girls had the surgery, and their sight was restored.
"They walked holding someone's hand into the clinic before surgery,
and then walked out on their own, after getting dressing removed
next day" he said.
Kashmir Singh
also gave a motivational speech encouraging everyone to open their
heart and soul to donate for this noble and worthy cause. He said
raising money was only a secondary goal of the event. The first was
to educate people about the group's mission, because that would
create the trust necessary for them to donate. The message and
mission of Sahaita truly inspired those in attendance bringing the
total donation amount to an impressive $35,000.
Among the attendees were Yuba City Mayor Rory Ramirez, Vice Mayor
Kash Gill, Councilman Tej Singh Mann and Sutter County Supervisor
Jim Whitaker.
29
April 2009
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