Richmondite Balwant Sanghera, president of Indian Culture Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas on Richmond’s Highway to Heaven, was quite touched by a five-year-old girl last week.
Sanghera told the Richmond News that a donation table had been set up at the culture centre to support Ukrainian refugees whose lives have been turned upside down by the war.
A five-year-old girl approached the table and pulled out a dollar from her pocket and handed it over to the volunteers, Sanghera recalled.
“She told us she is very troubled by the destruction of Ukraine and wanted to help. What a beautiful gesture by this innocent, five-year-old child. She is a great inspiration for young and old alike to help more people,” said Sanghera.
Over $18,000 has been raised so far and the donation amount continues to climb, said Sanghera.
Poland has provided refuge to more than 2.4 million people fleeing Ukraine since Russia invaded at the end of February – and more are arriving every day.
Sanghera said there are Sikh temples in both Poland and war-ravaged Ukraine, and the Sikh temple in Poland provides food and accommodations to refugees.
“We are now exploring all opportunities to get in touch with the Sikh temple in Poland to transfer all of our donations to them,” said Sanghera. “We will continue to raise funds.”
