Challenge
Ongoing
Community Upliftment in Sri Paonta Sahib | SAF International
Community Overview: In September 2017, SAF International embarked on a transformative Community Development Project in Sri Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh. This initiative aimed to uplift a marginalized Sikh community by providing access to quality education and essential resources, particularly focusing on the children of families serving in Gurdwaras, particularly the Granthi Singhs. These families, though deeply rooted in their faith and community service, faced severe financial constraints, making it difficult to provide their children with the education they deserve.
Challenges Faced
Initial Challenges: The community primarily consists of Granthi Singhs, Pathi Singhs, langar cooks, plumbers, and other low-income workers, earning between 4,000 to 8,000 rupees per month. This meager income barely covered the basic necessities, leaving little to no room for educational expenses. As a result, many children were deprived of an education, limiting their future prospects.
SAF’s Initiative: Recognizing the urgent need, SAF International took on the responsibility of supporting 23 children from this community. Our initial focus was to provide these children with the opportunity to receive a quality education through our sponsorship program. This support extended to their families, helping to restore the honor and respect due to Granthi Singhs and others who serve in Gurdwaras.
SAF’s Impact: Yearly Updates
-
2018 Update:
SAF expanded its efforts to ensure that Granthi Singh families felt a sense of belonging and were supported in their children’s educational pursuits. This included educating children on the basics of Sikhi while also focusing on general education. The initiative resonated well with the community, prompting further growth.
-
2020 Update:
SAF continued to grow its support network, approving new children for child education sponsorships. This was a significant step towards broadening the reach of our program and ensuring that no child in this community was left behind.
-
2021 Update:
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, SAF remained committed to its mission. The children continued their education through online classes, and the program expanded to support a total of 40 children. Additionally, SAF launched Project Shelter, a new initiative aimed at building houses for these families, providing them with a secure and stable living environment.
-
2022 Update:
The program continued to thrive, with a total of 50 children being supported by SAF. Project Shelter gained momentum, ensuring that more families had a solid roof over their heads. The ongoing support through online classes helped maintain the children’s educational progress despite the pandemic.
-
2023 Update:
SAF organized a Gurmat camp where Shamandeep Singh, the founder of SAF, provided invaluable knowledge to the children, empowering them in both religious and academic education. The continued growth of the program highlighted the sustained impact of SAF's work in Sri Paonta Sahib.
-
2024 Update:
Currently, SAF is supporting 48 children in their educational journey. In addition to educational support, SAF provided high-quality winter jackets to the families living and working in the Gurdwara Sahibs. This year, SAF is expanding its seva to include healthcare camps for all the children in the community, ensuring their well-being is prioritized alongside their education.
The journey in Sri Paonta Sahib has been one of resilience, growth, and commitment to uplifting a marginalized community – the community of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. Through child education sponsorship, housing, and holistic support, SAF International has been able to create lasting change in the lives of these children and their families. As we continue to expand our efforts and embrace new initiatives, we remain grateful to our sponsors and supporters who make this journey of hope and transformation possible.
Your gift of compassion can benefit children & families across South Asia
