Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Spotlight

Kiran Mann: Transforming Society One Day at a Time

Roshini Sakhrani, Darpan, 15 Mar, 2014
  • Kiran Mann: Transforming Society One Day at a Time
Kiran Mann has a passion for humanitarian activism, and when she isn’t studying sciences at UBC with the goal to attend medical school and become a physician, she’s getting involved in the community by raising money for local and international charities. Mann is one of the four co-founders of Youth Transforming Society (YTS), which is a youth group that spreads awareness about humanitarian issues. 
 
In 2010, a devastating earthquake and tsunami shook residents of Haiti leaving survivors grief stricken. Mann and her three close friends were deeply motivated by the plight of those in need and started a bottle drive to raise money, and in turn founded YTS. The group raised $1,000 for the Haiti Relief Project, which then motivated them to find more opportunities to get involved in society.
 
Mann’s motivation to be selfless comes from the happiness people receive from her volunteer work. She provides an example, the volunteers from YTS held a holiday breakfast in December that emotionally impacted her. “I really got to see the effect of our work because the people we were serving at the breakfast had smiles on their face, and we were the reason for that.” 
 
Despite having a busy university life, the 19-year-old has continued working with YTS after she graduated high school and has coordinated recent fundraisers. “When I see someone else smile, it puts a smile on my face, it keeps me positive. I really need that,” she says. During spring break of 2012, Mann and YTS raised $1,500 for the Japan Relief Project through a self initiated bottle drive, and the following year they raised over $2,000 for the Nicaraguan Women Farmers Project.
 
Mann is the eldest child of an immigrant family that moved to Canada from India over two decades ago. Her grandfather was a teacher in India and fostered the vision of his grandchildren growing up with strong family values and access to education so that they can learn and help others. She says that she is carrying out her grandfather’s dream to help society one day at a time.
 
The biggest advice she gives to other youths is that donating your time for a good cause without expecting anything in return makes others happy, as well as yourself from seeing people’s gratitude.
 
“I got a message about a few weeks ago from someone at my school thanking me, because my work has inspired him and his friends to get involved in volunteering,” she says. Mann says that this compliment has given her fulfillment in knowing that she impacted someone’s life to get involved in society.
 
Seeing YTS grow from four members to almost 90, Mann considers this as one of her biggest achievements. “Our cause is getting out there and more known to people and we can see it in the number of volunteers that come out,” she says. 
 
Her hard work and leadership initiatives in raising money for charities comes from the goodness of her heart. She says that she doesn’t volunteer with the intention of getting something in return, just the satisfaction that she helped those in need. 
 
Photo: Amastermedia

MORE Spotlight ARTICLES

Taking Command - Lieutenant-Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan

Taking Command - Lieutenant-Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan

History keeps a record of ‘the firsts’ – the first person to walk on the moon, the first person to climb Mt. Everest, the first person to invent electricity and so forth. So rightfully so, Lieutenant Colonel Harjit Singh Sajjan’s name will be remembered in Canadian history as the first Sikh to take command of an army regiment.

Sandy Sidhu: Acting’s Newest ‘It Girl’

Sandy Sidhu: Acting’s Newest ‘It Girl’

Well who is this Sandy Sidhu? She is a bona fide breakout actress, who happens to be South Asian. Witty (if you know me – you know I appreciate this quality), easy on the eyes, grateful for every opportunity, and above all very optimistic.

Gary Mangat: On the road to the UFC

Gary Mangat: On the road to the UFC

During my short interview with Gary, I found out it is not about testosterone, aggression, and brute strength, but a mental sport, or how Gary puts it “A Human Chess Match.” Gary noted several times, “When you enter the cage, your mind must be clear, all emotions and attachments must be left behind. The brain is a superior muscle being put into play, in cohesion with the body when trying to win over your advesary.”

OVERCOMING HURDLES - RAM GILL

OVERCOMING HURDLES - RAM GILL

Ram Gill is a living breathing example of the long time saying, “behind every man’s success there is a woman.” Although body building had always been a sport that intrigued Ram, his wife, Kuldip is the true lady luck behind his success. Fed up with Ram’s lifestyle, which consisted of mostly drinking, hanging out with friends and a little more drinking, Instead of criticizing she encouraged Ram to pursue his lifelong dream of body building.

Dave Mann: 'Mann'kind Philanthropy

Dave Mann: 'Mann'kind Philanthropy

Dave Mann, a lower mainland entrepreneur, has established a non-profit organization called Mannkind Charitable Society (MKCS). This non-profit organization’s mission is to make the world a better place. In order to transform our global societies into liveable spaces for all, MKCS is involved with helping the environment and less fortunate children around the world.
 

MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED - AFRAJ GILL

MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED - AFRAJ GILL

In recognition of his scholastic achievements Afraj Gill has won 16 scholarships totaling in at $100,000. This includes a prestigious Simon Fraser University Award, which alone is $34,000. In addition, he was class valedictorian and as the president of the school’s student council and president of the graduation committee, he contributed a lot. “I had responsibilities that not many kids experience.