From the Field
Relief Workers' Report

UNITED SIKHS, an international non-profit human development NGO, is currently working to provide humanitarian aid to victims of the Asian tsunami disaster. Current UNITED SIKHS projects include relief efforts in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nicobar Islands, South India, and Aceh, Indonesia.

LIFE -- Part Deux
(Jan 07 - Report 2)
By Navneet Singh, Volunteer and Team Leader for UNITED SIKHS

"...One week later, I somehow find myself again reaching out to my family, friends and the community for strength regarding this horrible Tsunami tragedy.

Just like everyone, I did my part of contributing financially, however, I felt there's more that was needed and more that I need to do on a human level. Therefore I have decided to actually GO to as many disaster sites as possible to do everything I can to help all those suffering. - Banda Acheh in Indonesia, BattiCaloa in Sri Lanka and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India, are some of the majority ones that need help.

This is something that I feel I need to do, to me this is exactly what life is about - just simply being a human being first. As a Sikh American, it is even more important for me to go do this, the true essence of a Sikh lies in helping others in their time of need. This is what has been instilled in me by my parents and this is what my faith tells me to do - "recognize and serve all human race as one", therefore I choose to go.

I have taken off the next couple weeks of my life (4-8 weeks - or however long it takes) to dedicate to the relief efforts and with full faith in life am ready to serve all who need it. Time is of the essence as I leave tomorrow for Southern India and will going as a project lead for 30 medical and general volunteers with UNITED SIKHS, a non-profit organization working for the betterment of humanity. I am extremely proud of the work UNITED SIKHS is implementing for the relief effort, it is not only inspirational but promotes more reasoning of why we all need to come together as a community and support our "own". I highly encourage all to support and donate your contributions to UNITED SIKHS for this effort.

The actual need and the things that we plan to do while there are - prepare hot food and serve all those suffering, (they can't survive on dry fruits alone), help with building shelters who have lost everything, distribute materials, help with body bags and disperse bodies in proper cremation grounds, do whatever else it takes. Most of all, it's the mental and emotional support that I hope we can provide and heal us all together in a humane way.

I feel I must be born as a human being for a reason and I need to go do my part of helping as many people, who have lost everything in their lives. After all, we only live once and every moment here must be lived in a way that keeps us in Chardikala. I feel blessed with the life I have lived and what I have here in United States but I must go and be there with the millions who are in pain and help them in their tough time.

Nothing at this point will stop me from leaving and doing what I feel is needed there. If any of you feel the power within yourselves I highly encourage you to come join us. I shall look forward to seeing you in the battlefield and fighting for the true cause of humanity. Follow your heart and find your own role in this entire relief effort.

I am just glad that I have wonderful people like you in my life as friends and family. One last request, before you sleep tonite, please do take a moment to include the people who have lost their lives and people who are suffering in your prayers.

Warm Regards and Gur Fateh.

Navneet Singh