Ami Pasricha, a young student of Doncaster Secondary College recently received the "Young Volunteer" award from Kevin Andrews, MP and member for Menzies. Ami received this award as recognition and appreciation for the volunteer work she has been doing since the past two years, including organizing events for children with disabilities, multicultural events and presentations for various schools.
Menzies Inc is a not-for-profit organisation which provides a broad range of innovative programs and services designed to equip young people who can no longer live with their natural families, with the life skills they need to lead independent, fulfilled lives.
Ami was nominated for this award by her school vice-principal and teachers.
Ami's dad, Avinder Singh Pasricha is very proud of her contribution to the local community of 'Menzies. He says Ami is a self-motivator and initiated being part of this activity on her own, by hearing about it at school. Ami on the other hand, says her dad has been very supportive of her decision to volunteer and has played an important role of taking time off work to take her to events and regular meetings.
When asked what inspired her into volunteering, Ami says, "By volunteering and spreading happiness in the lives of the under-privileged children, I am practicing one of the three pillars of Sikhism i.e. nishkatm seva. It is obvious that this young girl clearly knows and understands the tenets of what her religion preaches, and more importantly, how to put it to practice and be a role model for others of the same age. The three pillars of Sikhism are the triple principle underlying Sikh ethics and its way of life: naam japna, kirat karni and vand chhakana; respectively, repetition of the God Name, to be ready to engage in the labour of one's hands and to be willing to share victuals with others. This was formalized by Guru Nanak Dev ji and he instructed Sikhs in the practice of simran and naam japna - meditating on God and reciting God's name or shabad, practicing kirat karni (to honestly earn by one's own sweat) and maintain high moral values and spirituality. Kirat is central to the Sikh concept of seva or self-abnegating (self-sacrifice) deeds of service.
Ami plans to continue to be engaged in volunteer work in the future. As of now she says, "I am managing my studies and being a volunteer after hours is working quite well. But who knows what will happen in the future. I will continue for as long as I can without compromising my studies." She adds, "I just want to motivate people of all ages to assist the needy wherever they can, in their own small way. Sometimes, I do feel sad when I see disabled children, but it also helps to keep me grounded and teaches me to value the things we all take for granted in life. I feel privileged to spread happiness in the lives of these kids."
So if you think that children of this age are only interested in or capable of hanging out with their friends and maintaining a cool image by posting the weirdest of things on Facebook - think again. Ami is a classic example of her generation who are digging deeper and are not afraid to publicize their values and talk about what they stand for.
Ami deserves the heartiest of congratulations and has made the community very proud. Well done!