Our goal is to improve the lives of children in need locally and globally
From the desk of Rahul Virk, Chair, East Meets West Children's Foundation
The charity, East Meets West Children's Foundation was officially established in 2008. Our mandate includes providing medical treatment and educational training for children in need. We reach out and help those projects that often struggle with funding. Currently, we support children’s projects in the Okanagan region, Nepal, Africa, Peru, Bangladesh and India.
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In Kenya, Africa we have been helping a clinic for teen mums this year we bought an ultrasound machine for the centre.
We bought 45 goats for a village in Uganda. Most of the village children have HIV and the goats are to provide milk for the children.
In Nepal we have been financing scholarships for two nursing students in a small village through “Her International” a Kelowna based charity. Kelowna resident, Kevin Edgecombe is the organizations treasurer. He visits Nepal annually to ensure the funds are being appropriately spent.
In Bangladesh we helped set up a school for children from remote areas. The funds went to help the children with education and supplies as they are from poor regions and cannot afford school supplies.
In Mumbai we continue to help Family Home. The center cares for 20 destitute boys between the ages of 4 and 12 years who are court committed by the Juvenile welfare board of the Maharashtra government. East meets West (EMW) funds have helped create fitness and arts programs for these abandoned boys, which helps support their physical and emotional wellbeing.
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Annually we provide health kits for villages/hamlets in the Kandhmal district, which is in state of Odisha in South Central India. These kits have benefitted thousands of families. The medical kits are for extremely impoverished tribal families living in remote regions. In these regions, due to the scarcity of clean water the people and particularly vulnerable children are often prone to illnesses like cholera, and dysentery.
Unfortunately, medical services are at least a 25 mile walk through tough terrain. By providing these kits people are able to receive some immediate care and some relief enabling them to reach a health facility.
This past year EMW has financially assisted the Karis Support Society. Karis does amazing work providing a home for women struggling with addictions and mental health challenges. In keeping with our philosophy our support is to help the children of these mums who are struggling. The home is in Kelowna.
We continue to help The Starbright Child Development Centre in Kelowna. We have donated to the autism program, bought necessary equipment required for therapy for children with what is commonly known as the flathead syndrome and we have helped build a play area for children with special needs. The play equipment is specialized therapy equipment which is used for improving childrens balance, core muscular strength and a lot more. Now this year we have contributed $5000.00 to install an elevator to help children with disabilities navigate their way to their therapy sessions on different floors.
We supported the YMCA’s summer programs for children who escaped war in the Ukraine. The programs were designed to give young people a chance to be carefree and enjoy making new friends.
The Canucks Autism Network locally received $5000.00. The Stober group matched the donation getting the Autism Network $10,000.00 Kelowna Womens Shelter got $5000.00 towards a childrens playground for its West Kelowna location. And finally we replaced all the items used in trauma counselling for children at Connect Counselling and Therapy in Kelowna.
The Child Advocacy centre received $15,000.00 to help with trauma counselling for children who are victims of sex abuse.
We are now considering supporting a food centre at Kelowna Community Resources. In total this year we have donated $62,902.24.
Our Team
The East Meets West Children's Foundation board members give their time and efforts generously. The board is comprised of the following generous volunteers: Mohini Singh, Indy Brar, Mike Hill, Medha Prabhu, Sharon Shepherd, Kam Boparai, Ryan Smith, Andy Virk, Tyler Fulkerth (lawyer), Biki Kochhar (Treasurer C.A.), Pam Samaddar, Tod Alstad, and Rahul Virk. Consulting Doctor: Dr. Vilas Prabhu, accountant: Gary Lidhar, treasurer: Biki Kochhar.
The East Meets West Children's Foundation has so far received funds from private individuals, The British Columbia Government Employees Union’s humanitarian fund, local fundraisers and our corporate sponsors include Kelowna Toyota and CANCO petroleum. We have NO overhead costs, all funds raised go directly to help the children. We want to give vulnerable and helpless children a second chance at life. Please
consider supporting us in this most important cause of caring for these precious little ones.
We are driven by the Rotarian philosophy of “Service above Self.”
Rahul Virk
Chair, East meets West Children’s Foundation
Ready to Help?
Everyone has a place in this world to help stop the hurting. With eager hearts and busy hands volunteers are making positive changes in the lives of children.
Thank you to our amazing Corporate Sponsors
