Just Another Jakara Story – Kerman

I was first introduced to Jakara three years ago by Naindeep Singh and Simran Kaur. I live in the small town of Kerman and living in a small town has many disadvantages and you aren’t exposed to much of the events going on in other communities. I’d never even heard of Jakara until these two came to visit us. We recently had a Punjabi school open up in Kerman and these two had come to talk to us about Jakara and Jakara Kids’ Camps.

I was immediately interested in the movement and excited to become a part of it. I helped out at the Fresno Kid’s Camp a few times and recently we started our own regional camps in Kerman and I help coordinate those. We just had our third camp last week and it was a success. The kids love the camps and they learn a lot from them. It gets them interested in Sikhi and it motivates them to go out and learn more on their own.

The Jakara Movement has also helped me grow as a person. When I first became involved with the movement I was very shy but as I became more involved I learned to open up and in the process I also met many wonderful people. I’ve learned a lot in these past few years and I’ve really gotten in touch with my roots. I’m thankful for being introduced to Jakara and I’m even more thankful that a small town like Kerman has their own camps now because I feel that along with the big towns, we need to spread the camps to little towns as well. I’ve enjoyed being a part of Jakara for the past two years and I look forward to being a part of it in the future.

-Ramnit Kaur, Age 19, Kerman

Just Another Jakara Junior Story – Fresno

My ties with Jakara first started during my junior year in high school. I wanted to get involved with volunteering and I came across information about an upcoming Sikh camp. I participated in Jakara Juniors as a volunteer, and as I began to learn and get more in touch with my Sikh roots, my interest grew and soon I was a moderator. Being involved with youth and teaching them about our history has helped me tremendously in developing public speaking and social skills.

When I was initially introduced to Jakara I was your typical shy kid.  During the past three years, I have noticed a transformation in my confidence and comfort speaking with others.  Now I find myself to be more outgoing and most important, I’m in touch with my community and my Sikh roots.

This past summer I attended the summer Jakara conference where I met lots of other Sikh youth making change within their communities.  It’s pretty amazing that I started off as a volunteer and just last weekend I was in charge of organizing “Our Nation Never Forgets” Jakara Juniors camp in Fresno. Jakara has helped me grow both as an aspiring lawyer and as a Sikh.  Thank you Jakara!

Iqbal Singh, Age 18, Fresno

Upcoming Jakara Juniors Kids’ Camps

This year’s theme is “A Nation Never Forgets” and will focus on the most recent chapter in Sikh history.

We are looking for volunteers, advocates, and participants.

Volunteers – send us an email and help us put you in contact with your local region.

Advocates – encourage your friends and family members to attend and participate

Participants – we are looking for kids!  Make sure you children, nephew, nieces, brothers, and sisters come out and learn about their Sikh heritage, culture, and religion.

Click below to find out when and where it is happening in your community

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Jakara Movement at NASMDA

This past weekend the North American Sikh Medical and Dental Association (NASMDA) held their 17th annual conference in San Diego, CA.  The organization’s website provides a brief description:

Started in the summer of 1992 at Poncos, Pennsylvania, NASMDA has grown to an organization of over 1000 Sikh medical and dental professionals spread across North America. NASMDA strives to provide a platform for Sikh medical and dental professionals to network and interact with each other while promoting the ideals and the mission of Guru Nanak. The members of NASMDA have been actively involved with helping out and supporting various Sikh organizations, young medical students and physicians.[link]

NASMDA provides a platform for Sikhs of various ages to engage in medical exchanges as well as be briefed by various organizations that presented.  Members of the Jakara Movement made one such presentation.

We have to admit that we were were showered with love and it was really the Guru’s Kirpa that our efforts were received with such kindness.  Over $5,000 were collected to help continue to promote Sikhi in California.  We hope to continue our relationship with NASMDA in the future.  Together, we can inspire and be inspired.  Together, we are the movement.