Close X
Thursday, October 31, 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

Asa The Saga - Life of the lumber legend

Asa The Saga - Life of the lumber legend

Asa Singh’s life is a saga with all the ups and downs of an epic. Starting from a wage of 25 cents an hour wages, his net worth is now measured in the billions but he maintains a humble view and emphasizes that his goals are not about being “big”. Asa Singh’s inspiring life journey continues as always to motivate people of all ages and backgrounds. His name and fame travel thousands of miles a day to reach thousands of hearts on the way.

The Future Is Bright For Three Champion Wrestlers

The Future Is Bright For Three Champion Wrestlers

When the word “wrestling” is introduced into a conversation about legitimate athletes and sports, some may imagine the “wrestlers” of the WWE. Certainly some gifted people, put on stage to entertain the masses. Granted they are quite charismatic, talented, and high-flying men; however, they must not to be confused with the determined, physically and mentally strong athletes on the competition mat of freestyle wrestlers.

Darpan Salutes – Anand Kumar, Changing Lives Through Education

Indians are widely acknowledged as bright and adroit individuals, who have over time contributed their knowledge and expertise in the intricate areas of science, mathematics and research and development. This is also one of the reasons that today international organizations are constantly in pursuit of outstanding students from this nation.

Jusleen Virk: Sparring to New Heights

In her white Gi and black belt, Jusleen Virk is proud to be one of the few South Asian girls competing in the sport of karate at an international level.

Her passion for karate started at the young age of 7, when she was living in St. Albert, Alberta. And it’s not a surprise because it runs in her family. Her father, who always stressed the importance of self-defense, began karate at the age of 18. Both her younger sisters, Anisha and Maansi are also competitive in the sport of karate.

Spotlight: Zara Durrani

There’s something so humbling about speaking with Zara Durrani. She’s polite, yet assertive. Soft spoken, yet confident. She speaks modestly about her success yet she’s proud of all she’s done.

Spotlight: Lt. Col. Pritam Jauhal

From my first encounter with charismatic Lieutenant-Colonel Pritam Singh Jauhal, I was quite smitten with this 93-year-old for his endurance, tenacity and strength, yet gentle and caring nature. Over several…