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YJ International Introduced -
Kenya and Perth
ne of the biggest achievements of Y as an organisation is that after a birth in humble Harrow,
YJ is now a worldwide organisation with thousands of members. From the very start, there were links with these international nodes, and these are explored here. Yet as the internet and cheap travel continue to open up the world, these links are likely to become stronger. At this 20 year mark, it is fitting to congratulate the histories and successes of these international nodes and look forward to a long and strong friendship and collaboration with our colleagues and communities across the world.
Young Jains Kenya What was the original vision of the people who got together to start Young Jains Nairobi? Has the organisation lived up to its original expectations and was the vision at all realistic? Imagine if you will, 12 years ago, members of a newly formed organisation gathered in a room somewhere in Nairobi. Unsure of their purpose but passionate about the future, they began to set a course for destiny. Seeking the inspiration from Dr. Shashikant Mehta and Dr. Atul Shah, borrowing a leaf from the charters of Young Jains UK and calling on their own intuition they wrote out the objectives of Young Jains Nairobi.
History of Jain Community of Western Australia Australian Indian Immigrants once again have the privilege and opportunity to mark a new chapter in the settlement history of Jains in Australia. In March 1998, discussion begun between Dr Pravinbhai Mehta Amu Shah and Dinesh Sheth to form a Jain Association in Perth, Western Australia. Although informally about eight to ten families were gathering in 1997 and 1998, finally, in October 1998, it was decided that the Jain Community needed to have religious, social and cultural gatherings for the Jains of Perth.
Perhaps the jewel in the crown, much charity has been taken up by our organisation. The water projects, food distribution, clothes collection, scholarships and many other projects have had a significant impact on the community around us. YJ Nairobi has changed the lives of thousands of beneficiaries by bringing water close to them. To date, 150 projects have been completed in various areas around Kenya. Close to 500,000 families are benefiting from the wells and the total funding is nearly US$ 1,100,000.
The Youth of Jain Community under the umbrella of Jain Community of WA, Young Jains Perth (YJP), started in April 2000. The initiators (founder members) of Young Jains Perth were Rajal Shah, Rakesh Shah, Darshini Sheth, Dhimal Shah & Ashish Shah. The coordinator was Yogesh B. Shah. The first issue of In Touch Magazine for Community was published in November 2000.
We have developed within our organisation and communities an extremely strong bond and to some extent crossed borders to foster international friendships. Hidden potentials have been discovered and creativity, talent and skills have been allowed to flourish in this organization. And the story goes on... Today, 12 years later, our organisation continues to grow from strength to strength. As we know, the success of any community is in the hands of the youth. The Kenyan Jain youth have become an instrumental part of the organisation and continue to develop an intense desire to keep the torch of Jainism burning bright globally for eons to come. By Hiten Shah, a very dynamic and creative founding member of the YJN team who now resides in Perth, Australia.
The first Young Jains Camp was held between 13th April 2001 and 16th April 2001 at Bickley Recreation Centre. There were 52 youth participants at this camp. The Young Jains Camp has now become one of the biggest bi-yearly activities. YJP are also involved in voluntary services to various organizations such as Activ Foundation, RSPCA etc. Looking at our social activities, the Jain community organises an entertainment evening each year. The first entertainment evening was held on 22 September 2001.
Our main strength is the volunteers, who are tirelessly putting their efforts since inception of JCWA making all events successful and thereby building a stronger community
Submitted by Rakesh Shah, Perth.
Priti Shah and Atul Shah in 1996 with a newly-formed YJ
Kenya committee.
Jain Education International
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