You may often hear of Indian community groups raising funds in the name of some charity, only to see it diminish and die a natural death, and sometimes with no clear indication of where the money has gone.
The organizers may be genuine, and some not so genuine. Some may be in it only to further their own agenda – to seek glory and the limelight.
Not so for one Auckland based community group, which held its annual fundraiser recently, is proving the critics and doomsayers wrong.
The Auckland Girmit Women’s Fellowship has gone from strength to strength since it was formed 10 years ago and has never basked in any media attention.
Its members, 15 women, have worked behind the scenes to raise funds for underprivileged female students in Fiji’s schools.
And recently, the fellowship raised at a dinner and dance function an amount big enough to knock your socks off – yes, a whopping $10,000 in a single night.
As fellowship president Sashi Rai puts it: “We’re not in it for ourselves.”
What started out as a coffee group discussion among a group of like-minded women in 2000 is now one of the more successful charities associated a worthwhile cause back in their homeland.
“Our base is now so much stronger,” Mrs Rai, an Auckland bank executive, told the Indian Weekender. “We are a humble society with a humble group of volunteers who have done wonders.
“Encouraged by the support this year, I’d say the future is indeed looking very bright.
“We now aim to create more awareness and more women are welcome to join,” Mrs Rai said.
“But we are looking for women who will show a bit of commitment, and not just make an appearance and disappear.”
Last year, the fellowship raised $19,000. The money raised is then sent to the Fiji Girmit Council in Lautoka, Fiji, where four other women helpers take charge of things and organize suitable students to receive help.
Working on a basis of $150 per year to help educate a child in Fiji, the fellowship sponsored 110 students this current year. When it started out, the fellowship sponsored 23 girls. Next year, 120 students are expected to be sponsored.
Individuals are also quite welcome to sponsor a child or children and also be able to monitor their progress through the years.
Mrs Rai said at they were currently focusing on students in the Western Division of Fiji, but were expecting to branch out to the rest of Fiji if suitable helpers could found at the other end.
“If you have passion for something, you’ll find time for everything,” said Mrs Rai, aptly summing up the sentiments of her members.
“While it may seem we are doing all the work, we would like to acknowledge the efforts and help from our husbands and families, without their help it would not be as successful.”
The fellowship has now set its sights on a bigger fundraiser next year.
Fellowship members are: Sashi Rai (president, Arinam Gounder (secretary), Padmini Dass, Asha Dass, Shiromani Pillay, Prem Sharma, Anita Singh, Sandhya Prasad Sharma, Shobna Singh, Nalina Narayan, Nirmala Prasad, Bimla Gordon.
Main sponsors this year: McDonald’s Royal Oak, Dr Sunil Pillay, Roop Darshan, Saras and Madhu Dayal, ASB Bank, Soni Indian Weddings, Balbir Golian, Ronald Gordon, Frucor Beverages, Auckland Indian Sweets & Snacks.