Social Justice

KarmaGrow

KarmaGrow is an initiative by the WSO. KarmaGrow is working to alleviate food insecurity by building and maintaining community gardens and farms in order to provide food banks with a sustainable source of fresh produce. In 2014, we launched our pilot project in Caledon East, providing food to the Seva Food Bank, Good Food Brampton, and the Knight's Table. We grew 3,000 pounds of fresh high quality vegetables on approximately 1 acre of space. 

In Spring 2015, we will be launching locations in Brampton, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, making it a truly national initiative! 

Please visit our dedicated site for more information at www.karmagrow.org!

Hockey for Humanity

The Khalsa Cup, organized to implement the concepts of seva and sarbat da bhalla into sports, was organized through collaborative effort between the Sikh Youth Federation (SYF), the Champions Ball Hockey League (CBHL), World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), and Toronto Singh’s Camp. This annual tournament raises funds for a different community cause each year.

2014 saw our inaugural tournament, where we raised $6,000 for the Khalra Centre for Human Rights Defenders. We had over 120 players, and 10 teams participate over a three day tourney. Next years tournament will be taking place in the summer of 2015. 

For more information please visit our dedicated site at www.hockey4humanity.org!

One Billion Rising

Every year on Valentine's Day, the World Sikh Organization of Canada joins with Sikh communities across Canada to take part in the One Billion Rising movement by providing care packages, treats and baked goods to over 800 women in 22 women’s shelters in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Each package is accompanied by Valentine’s cards prepared by Sikh children and students from local Khalsa schools and gurdwaras. 

One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.  

In 2013, the WSO and Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen (GNFK) launched the event in Vancouver and in response to the tremendous support provided by the community, expanded the event in 2014 to include Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.

In Vancouver, local Gurdwaras participated in the initiative and served as drop-off locations.  The response from the shelters which were served was overwhelming.  Many residents noted how difficult Valentine ’s Day can be when having recently escaped an abusive relationship.