Centennial journalism brings school supplies and underwear to orphans in India’s Dalit communitiy of “untouchables”
Centennial Journalism grad Jennifer Kai is leaving for Chennai, India on
Tuesday May 31 to bring 300 backpacks filled with supplies to orphans and
outcasts known as Dalits. Kai is traveling with members of her church
called the Hope Centre, in Toronto. It’s run by a former Toronto Argonaut, Brian Warren. The mission was to bring supplies as well as work with the children and villagers considered “untouchables” because they are a lower caste.
Jennifer works for Bell as a corporate loyalty associate,
and has been involved with humanitarian and church related
work for several years.
Here’s a bit of her note:
· On Tuesday May 31st, 12 colleagues including myself from a church called The Hope Centre, will travel to Chennai India to minister to the outcasts of society, otherwise known as the Dalits as well as orphans from a government Juvenile home, showing them that they are not forgotten, they are loved and bringing them school supplies such as back packs, notebooks, packages of pencils, markers, erasers, t-shirts and rulers… We will also be bringing undergarments to the girls there, many of whom do not have underwear.
This will be a short but intense mission as we travel into the heat which is now about 50 C Celsius, so we are definitely stepping out of our comfort zone.
I need to raise $3,000 to be a part of this trip and by grace in a short period of time have already raised about $1,750. Most of the funds go towards transportation. Each of us is allowed to bring two large bags, which is standard, one of the bags we travel with is already filled with school supplies which we packed Victoria Day Monday.
The easiest way to give is by email money transfer. You can email me at kai.jennifer@gmail.com. All funds will be handed to The Hope Centre. If you would like a tax receipt please also email me your full name and address. Thankfully, we in Canada can choose to work hard and move our way up in society. Because of the caste system in India – you are forced to remain marginalized… Watch some of this documentary on the Dalits:
·
For more information on our church please visitwww.thcchurch.net.
AWARDS:
Tamara Baluja has been nominated for the South Asian Journalists Association award, for a story she did while reporting for the Province in B.C. She’s the only Canadian nominee. Results will be announced at Columbia University next month. http://saja.org/Default.aspx?pageId=935554&mode=PostView&bmi=597006.
Tamara will be interning for the Globe and Mail this summer in Toronto.
Gord Thain is coordinator of communications and coaching for Ontario Basketball in Toronto.
Vincent Man is at the St. Catharines Standard. Following Centennial, he worked at the Daily Press in Timmins as the sports editor. He was there for 4.5 years, until he left Timmins a couple of months ago for St. Catharines. He is now a paginator at The Standard and does layout for the paper and others in the Niagara region.
Leslie Phalen has been living in Vancouver for a year and a half, where she is looking for a publisher for her new novel. After Centennial, she interned at ET Canada, and Rogers, then traveled to Australia
, and took up waitressing/bartending while she wrote her novel. Leslie writes that it’s an update of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. She set it in modern day, out in Tofino BC and added characters and twists.
, and took up waitressing/bartending while she wrote her novel. Leslie writes that it’s an update of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. She set it in modern day, out in Tofino BC and added characters and twists.Kevin Barley is an assignment editor at The Score in Toronto.
Angela Brunschot is in Edmonton as editor of SEE Magazine in Alberta, where she started after graduation as a reporter. She’s writing about politics, the environment, and human interest stories, as well as learning how to manage and edit.
Stacey McLeod is an editor for SMG Digital (Star Media Group), the digital side of the Toronto Star. She’s editing special sections for entertainment and working with the corporate side of the business on content direction and strategy. She also runs Hooks and Ladders, a blog site for journalists and musicians. She also DJs and performs with grad Phil Villeneuve in the I love You Toos.
David Nesseth spent three years after graduation as a journalist in Canada, working first with the Lindsay Daily Post, then the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. He’s been traveling abroad, living and working as a journalist in London, England. He’s now on his way back to Canada to test the journalism waters once more. His website: http://www.typetypereturn.com
Iman Sheikh is a copy editor at the National Post, where she appeared in the society pages Saturday at a swanky party.
Neil Springer writes about the MMA and the UFC for the Toronto Sun and also does videos for these stories.
Bre Walt moved into the communications/PR/marketing world working as a senior issues coordinator with the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services since June 2009. She says she does media relations for the Ministry, as well as all the contentious issues management/PR work.
Dan Bilicki is working for the Toronto Sun now as a copy editor on the sports desk and he also writes columns during the NFL football season
Kristen Calis is with the DurgamRegion.com news site, and you can read her stories and column called Kristen’s Kritters, a blog about animals she helps find homes for.
Jessica Hume is reporting with the National Post in Toronto, after several years reporting in the United Arab Emirates and freelancing in Toronto.