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Committed to less fortunate children of Central
Published:
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Members of the Arya Samaaj Foundation.
The Arya Samaaj Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago under the guidance of Pundit Vijay Bachan has been in operation since 2009, with a view to assisting and empowering the less fortunate citizens in the country. The foundation was born out of love for Maharishmi Swami Dayaanand Saraswati, coupled with a clear stalemate and overall local degeneration of the Arya Samaaj movement. The foundation aims to go above and beyond just financial contributions to the various organisations they partner with, including the Jal Lakshmi home and the Wesley Ann Home. “Our focus will always be the less fortunate children, however we are committed to assisting them in a different way,” Bachan said. “We want to spend quality time with them so they can enjoy themselves. We live for the smiles on their faces. “For example, last year we had an evening of entertainment for a group of children in Central—children whose families are our members. They were treated to dinner and entertainment including a magic show. “These sorts of activities extend our commitment, ensuring that these children can have fun, which is what being a child is about.”
Moving forward, the foundation aims to construct a Vedic learning and life centre. “The land has been donated and the plans have been drawn up,” Bachan said. “We are just awaiting approval before we begin construction. We are planning to do two of these, one in the Freeport area and the second in Princes Town.” Bachan admitted that one of the major challenges was obtaining funding but stressed that this did not deter them for persevering. “We host our own fund-raisers in the community to get over this hurdle,” he said. “We want to get a home for ourselves that we can operate from. We have turned to the State for help and are holding on to the hope that we will get their assistance. As it stands, I operate from my home.” Funding is also raised through individual contributions, allowing the foundation to contribute financially to a host of causes, including the National Association for Down’s syndrome, the JBF ward for children with cancer, the Marissa Ramlal medical fund and more.
The foundation is guided by the tenets of the Arya Samaaj Movement of Maharishi Swami Dayaanand Saraswati, especially the sixth principle, “Doing the Good to the Whole World is the Main Objective of the Arya Samaaj.” From delivering lunches to the Jai Lakshmi Children’s Home and the Home for the Aged in Couva, to providing medical supplies for the Mother Teresa Missionary in South Oropouche, the directors and members of the foundation are committed to making a difference through tasks of love and selflessness. The Arya Samaaj movement itself celebrated its 137th anniversary last month and the foundation was on hand to contribute to the festivities by hosting a day of fun and sports for the children of central Trinidad, as well as its members. This and other upcoming activities are all in honour of the movements founder, Maharishi Swami Dayaanand Saraswati.
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