Helping children at home and abroad

For the first time since the pandemic began, East Meets West Children’s Foundation (EMW) hosted its annual fundraiser on Saturday.

EMW was founded in 2008 after Mohini Singh, a city councillor and the chair of the charity, adopted a little girl and brought her to Canada a few years prior.

“We decided to reach out and help other children who may not be so fortunate,” Singh told Kelowna10. “We want to raise an awareness within our city to recognize that we’re a global village [and] we as human beings need to do what we can for others.”

The event was hosted near Diwali, an important Indian holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights.

“We use that to signify that we’re bringing light into the lives of young children who may otherwise be living disenfranchised existences,” she explained.

During the evening, local jazz artist Anna Jacyszyn, and Miss World Canada finalist, Priyaali Kanti, performed together through song and dance, before a variety of Indian dishes were served buffet-style.

“Blending western jazz to traditional Indian dancing … to just create a whole new kind of style,” Singh said. “Bringing the East and the West together all under one roof.”

EMW provides medical treatment and educational training for children across the world and have programs throughout India and Nepal. They also help locally, working with places like the Karis Support Society and the Starbright Child Development Centre.

“One thing unique about us is every dollar raised goes directly to the kids,” she said. “We have zero overhead; our head office is my kitchen nook.”

The last EMW brought in $61,000, even without the fundraising event.

“We’re so happy to be here, we’re so happy to celebrate, we’re happy to eat, dance, mingle, and do it all for a good cause,” Singh said. “At the end of the day, we know we’re helping somebody else.”

Donations can be made on the EMW website.