YSA_NEWSLETTER__FEB_2018

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6 Khwaish | February 2018 PROJECT KHWAISH XVII INDIA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT A TEAM EFFORT! Three elements – YSA, the team members and their families – are crucial to the successful organisation of YSA’s community service expeditions to Punjab each year. Mr Hernaikh Singh, founding President of YSA, made this point at the sending-off ceremony for Project Khwaish XVII, YSA’s community service project to India, on 8 December 2017. On 9 December 2017, 22 Singaporeans, including two leaders, from different social, racial and religious backgrounds left Singapore to spend three weeks in Ratokke, a village in Punjab’s Sangrur district. Mr Hernaikh stated that, just as YSA is the brainchild of several Sikh professionals who saw the need for young Sikhs to be plugged into the national and international landscapes, Project Khwaish was also collectively conceptualised by YSA’s Executive Committee, with the belief that it would provide young Singaporeans with a life-changing experience while making meaningful and selfless contributions to the less fortunate in the global society. “YSA is the back-end of the project! Unknown to many people, including some of the participants, it carries out a significant number of functions behind the scenes. These include managing the publicity and recruitment; working with the leader to select the project site; and raising the S$60,000-odd funding, among others.” Mr Hernaikh said. In addition to YSA, the team members are important to the success of the project. Mr Hernaikh stated that, “The project will only be successful if the team members come together and pull in the same direction. Each and every member brings value to the project.” Similarly, the encouragement and support from the families help to ensure that the participants are able to confidently participate in the expedition. In his opening address, YSA’s President, Mr Malminderjit Singh, emphasised the value of leadership, an important learning aspect of the project. He said, “The project will offer opportunities to you to hone your leadership skills. You must remember that community service is always about the cause; not the leader. Also, the leader must feel secured and confident about his ability, and his focus must be on empowering others rather than showcasing himself. An equally important trait is humility for only then can a leader learn from others.” He added that the project is just as much about discovering oneself as contributing to the community. Comprising young working professionals and undergraduates, the expedition team painted the school, set up a library filled with about 2,500 books and assisted in the renovation of the school’s toilets. The team also presented gifts, toys, stationery and clothes to all the students; as well special prizes to the top three students in each level and prizes to the top male and female student. The team personally handed out clothes to the villagers and the needy. The team also took time off their busy schedule to interact with the students and teachers, and participated in games with the students.
These activities certainly helped both groups to better understand each other’s cultures and way of life. According to the project leader, Mr Satwant Singh, “Perhaps, the most important lesson for the team was the impact of witnessing poverty first hand. There is no better way to understand challenges in life than being involved with these challenges. Such experiences cannot be learned from books or in school; they can only be learned by participating in community service. The children in the school sat on the floor and study in trying conditions. Yet, there were no complaints; only smiles on their faces.” He added that, “The Singapore team members also learned the importance of supporting one another, staying strong, overlooking their shortcomings and encouraging everyone to put his/her best foot forward to ensure a successful expedition. The team had a wonderful experience in India.” Altogether, more than 300 Singaporeans have participated in YSA’s Project Khwaish since it started in 2003. Khwaish | February 2018 7 Project Khwaish XVII – Reflections… One of the defining traits of Indian culture is its unrivalled hospitality – guests are seen as a form of God. This was exemplified by the village Rattoke, where the entire team was treated with so much kindness. Rattoke touched every one of our hearts. We can only thank and honour them as we reflect on their generosity. At one o’clock in the morning, most people would be sleeping in their warm blankets, given the winter. However, Rattoke was waiting for us in the cold. After a grand welcome with the dhol, they helped us, insistently, to offload the boxes and our luggage into pre-prepared accommodation. The house owner and his family had moved out, vacating their rooms for our exclusive use. This was not just hospitality, it was a sacrifice! Charan In Punjab, it was a whole new ball game. Initially, we had difficulties in even communicating with the locals. However, over time, we managed to understand one another. The kids introduced us to many new games like koko (similar to catching) and other traditional games. We also played conventional games like volleyball and football. The interaction through games forged a special bond between us. Aslam As we laughed and played together with the kids, we reconnected with the inner-child in us. This fun and light-hearted environment served as a great platform to bond with one another. During these interactions, many of us formed the first significant impressions of one another. These bonds helped us to understand one another and to learn to work together. Felicia The warm-heartedness and generosity of the villagers is definitely one that made me reflect upon my own ideals and hospitality. Despite thinking of myself as a rather hospitable person, I knew for a fact that I would not ever be able to match up to their graciousness. To think that a family was willing to provide us with accommodation for the entire duration even though it meant they had to sleep outside their own homes during one of the coldest months of the year is something that really touched me. This trip has definitely been a very rewarding experience and one that I am glad to have been able to share with my new Khwaish family. Tharsh Vesakhi and Indian New Year Greetings YSA’s Executive Committee takes this opportunity to wish its Sikh members a happiness-filled Vesakhi and its Indian members an equally splendid New Year in 2018. May you always be blessed with peace, harmony, love, good health and prosperity!
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