Deesh Sekhon, who is the founder of GirlKind Foundation, and Dylan Kular, a Quest University who spent part of his summer in Rwanda representing STAND, which conducted a Genocide Awareness Project, are making a difference in the world and both should be admired and thanked for their efforts.
By Ken Herar
Two Abbotsford residents are making their mark in the world of humanitarianism. Deesh Sekhon, who is the founder of GirlKind Foundation, began this journey earlier this year after viewing the trailer to the film “It’s A Girl.” After watching the film, she was moved deeply by what she saw and could not stop thinking of all the girls that have gone missing, have been aborted or thrown away because of the simple fact they were girls. She learned of a home in India called “Unique Home” who saves these unwanted little girls and takes them in and raises them. Sekhon wanted to do something nice for the girls to show other people around the world cared for them. She set out and collected almost 1500 items which included personal care products and clothing. Her family who travelled to India in March took these items and delivered them to the home. The girls were ecstatic to receive the items that people sent to them and this bond created from half way around the globe has continued to grow. Sekhon’s ultimate goal is to inspire other people so that they will take a stand and create a better world where every girl matters.
The film “It’s A Girl” deals with the many faces of gendercide and hopes to educate and inspire individuals to stand up against it and create a movement.
In India, China and many other parts of the world today, girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls. The United Nations estimates as many as 200 million girls are missing in the world today because of this so-called “gendercide”. The film reveals the issue. It asks why this is happening, and why so little is being done to save girls and women. The film also tells the stories of abandoned and trafficked girls, women who suffer extreme dowry related violence, brave mothers fighting to save their daughters’ lives, and of other mothers who would kill for a son.
GirlKind Foundation is presenting the select screening of Shadowline
Films: “It’s A Girl” this Saturday, September 15, 2012. There are select screenings happening all across the world this is only screening taking place in British Columbia. Doors will open at 6:30pm and the program for the evening will begin at 7pm. Please purchase your tickets online at www.girlkind.org to ensure seating. Tickets can also be purchased at the door as supplies last.
Dylan Kular is another inspiring local individual who is currently attending Quest University. He spent part of this summer in Rwanda representing STAND, which conducted a Genocide Awareness Project.
While Kular was there, he met with many organizations that supported genocide survivors and also met with government officials. From there they would analyze and see if the people of Rwanda were getting proper aid.
He also travelled to the villages and visited genocide memorials, listened to stories and to see if they regained strength since the genocide.
“Outside of Quest I volunteer with a homeless shelter in downtown Squamish, and also with STAND: An anti-genocide awareness youth group of Canada.”
Genocide has been a topic of great interest since his last year of high school, when he was first introduced to this horrific fact of life in Africa.
“Since my eyes were opened by what the reality of genocide is, I have investigated ways become involved with and support the awareness of anti-genocide, which is how I came to know of STAND,” he said.
He now spends his time speaking to students about his trip and the topic of genocide.
Ken “Kulwinder” Herar is a Mission-based writer and a winner of the champions of diversity award for his columns in the LINK newspaper and other Fraser Valley newspapers. Herar can be reached at [email protected] or view his blog at http://www.kenherar.blogspot.com
