Community Voice
Friday, 09 December 2005
26th Maghar (Samvat 537 Nanakshahi)
UNITED SIKHS Obtains Donation for Sukho High School in Pakistan
Supplies Continue to be Distributed in Bagh (Azad Kashmir ) and Garhi Habib Ullah (North West
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Sukho, Pakistan —In an effort to return life to normal in earthquake-ravaged Pakistan, UNITED SIKHS recently obtained a donation from California, USA for Sukho High School located in the village of Sukho, which is approximately 15 kilometres from the major city of Rawalpindi. The donations came from two real estate brokers, Amarjit Kaur and Pritam Singh of California, whose donations totalled 40,000 rupees.
Sukho High School educates over 900 students who receive education in Science, Mathematics, English, and Computer Technology. Before the partition of India and Pakistan, Sukho was a bustling village where the vast majority of the residents were successful Sikhs who owned opulent houses and large tracts of property. A 60-year-old antique school attendance book written in the Gurmukhi script attests to this era of nearly forgotten Sikh history.
Pic of the Sukho High School attendance book well over 60 years old
Amarjit Kaur’s father studied at Sukho High School and the family had been trying to get the money to the school for years but to no avail. UNITED SIKHS Representatives Amritpal Singh and Gurvinder Singh took the donation and ensured it was delivered directly to the hands of Principal Ali Quereshi. Principal Quereshi detailed that the school needed a fax machine, printer and updated computer equipment, towards which these funds would be applied.
UNITED SIKHS representatives handing over the cheques to Principal Quereshi
“It was a humbling experience and underscored the respect Sikhs are given in Pakistan. The children were ecstatic that Sikhs from overseas had given and provided so they may further their education and utilize the equipment as necessary”, recalled UNITED SIKHS Director Gurvinder Singh.
UNITED SIKHS representatives interacting with the students
UNITED SIKHS will continue to liase with NGOs and other organisations in the area, in order to increase efficiency by highlighting current provisions and demands. UNITED SIKHS is also continuing to analyze the needs of schools in the earthquake-affected regions of Pakistan, and will establish the schools in which representatives can take a lead role and adopt
Issued by:
Gurvinder Singh
Director
UNITED SIKHS
Tel 1 469-222-6288 (Toll Free: 1-888-243-1690)
Our Mission
To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.
UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.
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Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.
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