SAP in New York School Curriculum

The Sikh Awareness Project is a series of specially-designed, age-appropriate presentations to educate school children, faculty, college-age students, law enforcement, governmental and non-governmental professionals, and the general public about the Sikh faith, the distinct appearance of Sikhs, and discrimination and other problems that Sikhs face. The main aim of the project is to increase awareness about Sikhs in the society that we interact with everyday, and promote understanding about who Sikhs are.

Under this project execution we strategically invested in New York because it is the largest school district in United States with enrollment nearing million students. This is the first time in United States that Civil Rights issues of the community will be discussed in school curriculum. Sikhs are often bullied and discriminated because of their unique appearance, and this has increased in the years following the 9/11 attacks. Lack of education and awareness about Sikhs has lead to these issues, and with the new implementation; we hope to reduce ignorance and discrimination against the community. Please read the Press Release here.

SAP Workshops in Schools

Sikh children are often bullied and taunted as a result of their unique appearance, and have faced an increase of bullying in the years following the 9/11 attacks and the recent conflicts in the Middle East. Studies have shown that bullying is incredibly destructive for both the bully and those being bullied; bullies often later resort to more major offenses and displays of violence, including vandalism, assault, and even murder, whereas those being bullied suffer from a lack of self-esteem and confidence for many years, sometimes to a crippling degree.

	UNITED SIKHS volunteers discussing the importance of the Dastaar (Sikh turban) at a middle school		UNITED SIKHS volunteers conducting the SAP presentations with students

UNITED SIKHS has been working with schools where incidents of bullying were reported in the past. UNITED SIKHS approaches the schools and arranges Sikh Awareness Presentations to introduce the Sikh religion to the students and faculty. The presentations geared toward schools include bullying as a specific topic, paired with a separate presentation for faculty and staff regarding the issue of why Sikh students are particularly at risk for bullying, including some suggestions for preventing and resolving bullying in schools.

Press Releases Links: