Former CFL football player David Sidoo has recently teamed up with several prominent South Asian community members in Vancouver to help out Punjabi villages in India. His efforts have started to make a difference in the most rural areas in India.
He’s worked with several organizations that provide assistance in India in villages his parents and relatives grew up in. Covid has posed a challenge in these rural areas to get in the necessary medical equipment to help the elderly. David’s support has been instrumental in getting the medical equipment there where the need is most.
In these rural areas some don’t have adequate washroom facilities for young girls, decent classrooms, sports equipment, and the proper medical equipment. Support from the Sidoo’s has alleviated some of these concerns.
Balwant Sanghera is just one of many who have worked directly with David Sidoo. His organization, the Indian Cultural Center of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, has served the South Asian community for over 35 years. Its focus is promoting the culture, embracing values, and serving the community. That means helping out where they can in Canada, as well as back in India.
Sanghera has enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet and bring on David to help. They’ve known each other for a long time, with Sanghera saying it’s been a “great experience” working with him on several projects.
Along with the work alongside Sanghera, Sidoo also helped fellow businessman and philanthropist and Toronto Raptor Super Fan, Nav Bhatia. He has worked extensively the past few years with the World Vision project RUDI (Rise Up Daughters of India), which strives to improve sanitation systems in Punjab village schools in India for young women.
By raising funds for the proper equipment and washrooms and to make the school's environment safer, students can focus on their education more than ever now.
David Sidoo grew up in Canada and has lived his entire adult life in North America. He’s never forgotten the level of opportunity available to him and his family as they found a way to make it to Canada. Giving back to these same Punjab villages his parents called home gives this a special meaning to David and his family.
To stay up-to-date with all the latest services David Sidoo does to help with Punjabi villages and other related opportunities, visit their website here.
