Volunteering has become such a constant in Satnam Sekhon’s life that she admits to feeling a little lost without it. Sekhon, a registered dietitian with the BC Cancer Agency, credits her parents for instilling in her the importance of charity work. She hopes to continue passing on this message through SEYVA, an organization that she helped develop four years ago.
SEYVA (Socializing and Educating Youth through Volunteer Activites) is a non-profit, youth-led organization that aims to promote volunteerism in young people. Since 2002, its members have raised over $50,000 for local charities, collected food for local food banks and participated in the Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay. The organization has no paid staff or budget. Instead, it relies on the goodwill and hard work of its members.
What does SEYVA do?
It is a grassroots, non-profit, youth-led group started in 2002. The purpose is to promote volunteering in a fun and social atmosphere.
What is your role with them?
I was involved with the initial organizing. We held some focus groups with youth as to what they would like to do and through the focus groups we were able to come up with this volunteer concept.
What age group do you target?
It started off with teens and young adults, but now the families are starting to participate with them. The beauty of it is that the elementary-school kids are looking at the high-school kids and saying, ‘Wow, I’d like to do that.’ And the high-school kids are looking at the university kids and saying, ‘Wow, I’d like to be like him.’ They’re learning by example. I think that’s one of the things that the kids told us right off the bat — that they don’t want to be told what to do. And through this osmosis, they’re learning all these skills and the families are involved in the activities on the periphery. So they’re happy as well.
What type of activities does SEYVA do?
The activities range from fundraisers to visits to seniors’ homes on Halloween to interact with the seniors. They’ve made peanut-butter-and-jam sandwiches on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday, and they’ve delivered those to homeless shelters. So they learn a little about what’s outside in their community, and not just the South Asian community. We’ve been introducing them to the community at large. They’re learning that there is a need in their own backyard. I’m really pleased with it.
Do you volunteer with other organizations?
I volunteered over the years with many organizations. I think it started off originally, like everyone else, more of a selfish motive — to gain work experience for my career path. But I quickly learned that there’s much more to it than what I was gonna get out of it. I volunteered with professional organizations and with my children’s sports teams and schools. When the kids got a little older we would make it a family affair. We would do one-day events like the Run for the Cure. My most recent [volunteer position] would be sitting on the board of directors for the B.C. division of the Canadian Cancer Society. I just finished my three-year stint there. I’ve been volunteering with the cancer society since the late ’80s.
What are SEYVA’s upcoming projects?
We have a couple of yearly events that we do. In January, the youths have always organized a Lohri Fundraiser, but it has a little twist to it. They’re celebrating all our blessings, and not just children. Then they do a pancake breakfast in one of the gurdwaras every year. Last year they did one on Mother’s Day.
Why do you think its important to volunteer your time?
I think there’s so many rewards and benefits. Just watching in the SEYVA group, its been so rewarding to see the kids learn new skills. They’ve gained leadership skills and organizational skills. The activites they’ve organized have allowed them to experience things they wouldn’t have otherwise, such as talking on the radio, public speaking, interacting with politicians. I think it’s just done great things with their self- esteem.
Source: Mehfil Magazine September / October 2006 – www.mehfilmagazine.com
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