LOCAL PROJECTS

Filmmaker Robert Chelmick enthuses about a free education school in the village of Atsalia, UP, India.

The school is supported by Canadians through the Maanaw Seva Association charity in Edmonton, Alberta. Bob saw first-hand how education is changing the lives of hundreds of village children - changing their family's prospects for generations to come. The school was founded by Edmonton Hindu priest Pandit Shiv Shankar Dwivedi, who grew up in Atsalia, before joining an ashram. Inspiring and heart-warming is Bob's description of how a little Canadian charity is doing big things in village India.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON The Walk For Children's Future please check out our CURRENT EVENTS!

With the help of funding from the Governments of Alberta and Canada, the Maanaw Seva Association commissioned Edmonton filmmaker Bob Chelmick to tell the fascinating story of much respected Acharya Shiv Shankar Dwivedi, Pandit of Edmonton's Hindu Cultural Centre. Hundreds came out to fill the The Royal Alberta Museum theatre for the premiere. Here is a sample of the film:

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This event honoured a great man who lives in the spirit of love, peace, non-violence, and universal friendship.

His achievements also include:

• Freedom Fighter for the Indian Independence; fellow of Gandhi Peace Foundation; founder of National Youth Project, India
• Taught and inspired over 200,000 adults, youth and children across the globe through his value education camps
• Addressed the Parliament of the World’s Religions in 1993 (Chicago) and 2002 (Cape Town)
• Recognized for the surrender of over 650 bandits and their rehabilitation in the terrains of Chambal

Jagriti provides an effective educational and caring support network for South Asian youth - as well as youth from other cultural backgrounds. Jagriti exists to identify and provide solutions to the unique problems these young people face.

Jagriti consists of an executive committee of youth (and former youth), some of whom have been with the organization since it was founded in 2001. Each executive member chairs a subcommittee focussing on: depression and suicide, drugs and alcohol addiction, criminal activity, culture clash, and education and career development. The general youth body makes up the balance of these subcommittees.

Jagriti’s primary aim is to provide a network of support services where needed. They also act as a peer support group to increase the cohesiveness among youth in the community. Jagriti also conducts workshops and meetings to provide an opportunity for open dialogue between youths and parents.

Jagriti’s executive has hosted many general youth meetings to promote the involvement of different groups of youth. The attendance at these meetings ranged from ten to forty young people. During the meetings, challenges were identified and solutions were sought. These meetings were also used to gain feedback and inspire volunteers for various events.

In the summer of 2001 Jagriti held two major workshops: first, on how to handle people in depression and to identify the symptoms of a suicidal person; and second, on how to form and run a legal youth society. A picnic at Coronation Park was attended by some thirty young people for the chance to mingle and connect in an informal setting. The executive youth committee then held a parents meeting to bring the identified problems to their attention and get feedback on ways to handle the issues. About one hundred parents attended.

A successful play - written, directed and performed by young people - was put on by Jagriti in 2002 . Some sixty talented minds were involved in the production. The play was based on the issues and problems Jagriti had identified in the youth community. The show brought Jagriti’s message to many people - parents and youth alike.

With the support of its Advisory Board consisting of social workers, councilors and doctors, Jagriti’s ultimate goal is to initiate a youth help hotline especially for youth from a minority background.

For over fifty years in Canada, Robinson Koilpillai has influenced, challenged, inspired, and sometimes provoked his students, colleagues and friends. By his energy, his vision, his courage and his intelligence he has supported social and economic justice, recognition, inclusion and respect for all Canadians, whatever their background.

He is much admired for his tireless commitment to the advancement of multiculturalism as the best framework for pursuing these goals and the inherent rights of all people, in Canada and in other parts of the world.

Among friends : Robinson Koilpillai - teacher, citizen of Canada, advocate for common humanity, by Allan Sheppard includes topics such as:

• Childhood, education and early teaching career in India
• Years in the United States as one of the first recipients of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship
• Years in Ethiopia as a teacher and school administration
• Early years in Canada, teaching in Athabasca, Alberta, where he became aware of the challenges faced by Aboriginal Canadians
• Years teaching in the Edmonton Public School System
• Community involvement in Edmonton and Alberta: Council of India Societies, Millwoods Welcome Centre for Immigrants, Alberta Cultural Heritage Council
• National Association of Canadians with Origins in India, Canadian Heritage Council,
• Federal Ministers’ Advisory Councils of Multiculturalism and Racism
• International involvement: Friends of Nepal, Alberta Council for Global Co-operation, Canadian Council for International Cooperation
• Human rights involvement: Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Multiculturalism Advocacy: Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation
• Recipient of the Order of Canada
• Passing the torch

In this biography we learn that even though in his mid eighties, Robinson Koilpillai still has a lot to contribute as a visionary and a thinker.

The book was funded by Maanaw Seva Association with generous contributions from individuals and organizations. It is our vision to distribute this inspiring true story to children who will learn what one person is capable of achieving.

Swarga Rohan – Preparation for the End of Life. This Seminar also under the guidance of respected Acharya Shiv Shankar Dwivedi ji, and under the ieadership of Pradeep Kulkarni, was also presented by the Maanaw Seva Association.

Hinduism teaches that the spirit, Atma, is permanent, however the body is not and permanent material happiness in life is an illusion. But we run after permanent happiness and conveniently try to forget death. Not dwelling on death is generally good, but not always. We eventually must deal with the stress for family at the end of life. The Punditji of the Hindu Society of Alberta recognized a silent challenge the East Indian community has faced for years and inspired the organization of a seminar on Swarga Rohan, on Makar Sankranti, 2018.

Swarga Rohan - or planning for the end of life journey - was organized by the Maanaw Seva Association and sponsored by the Hindu Society of Alberta. The hall was full and people were not disappointed. The seminar was not about death, it was about leaving the directions for family - and for medics.

Seminar leader Dr. Pradeep Kulkarni brought together gifted speakers with the right expertise. A presentation on a health passport by Lorelei Shawchuk provided some fundamental knowledge we are missing. For example, few had heard of the Green Folder and why to keep it on refrigerator! Atul Omkar explained about a variety of important documents and about making them legal. Information provided by Niru Channan on several government support programs at the end, made it a good beginning - for planning the end.

Cancer is among the key modern health issues. Generally people do not know enough about the various types of cancers, the symptoms, preventative measures, treatments, etc. Based on the success of the Matter of Heart conference, the Maanaw Seva Association agreed to organize A Matter of Cancer, under the guidance of Acharya Shiv Shankar Dwivedi ji, and the leadership of Dr. Naresh Jha, of the Cross Cancer Institute. Again, many generous volunteers and contributors came together to mount an important educational seminar to raise awareness of this health concern that must not be ignored.

Please see the attached Matter of Cancer- Book (20,225 KB)

Over the years we have witnessed several tragedies of fatal heart attacks in our communities. When people die young (40s –50s) it is especially painful for those left behind with young families, ill-equipped to handle the lives they then face. Something had to be done to raise awareness about heart attacks and related diseases.

Under the guidance of respected Acharya Shiv Shankar Dwivedi ji and the leadership of Dr. Naresh Jha, the Maanaw Seva Association organized the first successful conference A Matter of the Heart, in 2003 - and a second in 2004.

With the help of many volunteers, distinguished speakers, funding and support from Government of Alberta and Canada, and generous donations from individuals and corporations, the Matter of Heart Conferences, helped raise awareness of the dangers of heart desease for the many people who attended and the many more reading the book that came out of the conferences.

Please see the attached Matter of Heart - Book (5,852 KB)

Prince Charles Elementary School:

Almost all of the students at Prince Charles School are First Nations, Inuit or Metis. They celebrate these cultures at the school through literature, art, ceremonies and music.

Funds have been provided to support School’s Guitar and Fiddle Program. Children from grades 3 to 6 have the opportunity to engage in music lessons and performances. The young people develop pride in their accomplishments and learn many life-long skills.

Montros Public School:

Funds have been provided to support students’ breakfast program to provide healthy food options first thing in the morning. No student can concentrate on studies when they are hungry. Our funding helps them be ready to learn.

Maanaw Seva also has provided funds to purchase computer tablets, which students can use for course information and research related to an assignments.

Edmonton Public School Foundation:

Funds have been provided to support full-day kindergarten for improved learning opportunities and to build strong foundations for a lifetime of success. This is in line with Maanaw Seva’s key objective of investing a brighter future for young children and their communities.

Other Local School Funding:

Donations made to help students of Eastwood School (Edmonton City Centre Education Project), Mother Teresa Catholic School, Norwood School, Delton Public School, Spruce Avenue School, and Mee-Yan-Non School (Tools for School).