My name is Sara Stroo and I am donating $100 to Sikh Research Institute today. This is my SikhRI story. I got my first job with SikhRI when I was 20 years old, in 2006, working with the education team to edit and format the first round of Sojhi curriculum. It opened my eyes to such a rich history and culture in a way that I had never been taught about Sikhs before, I was so proud to be a part of the project.
Since then, I have learned so much about all of the different programming that SikhRI does all over the world as I have worked in the San Antonio office and from my home office in Oregon— writing press releases, editing articles, putting together the newsletter every month and the annual report each year. Every time I learn about a new upcoming event or edit the biography of a board member, I am so excited about the programming SikhRI puts out into the world and the people who surround this organization with their skills, talents and passions. I know that I want to help with that work by making this donation today, because every Sidak retreat, every Liv webinar, every instructor who finds support at sikheducatorsnetwork.org and every young person who better learns their proud history in a Sojhi classroom, they all depend on the support of the community; a truth which is the greatest joy and the greatest challenge of being a mission-driven nonprofit in today’s world.
Please believe me, I know the economy isn’t great for anyone right now, but I am willing to make this commitment because I know that my $100 donation comes with a promise, that it will be managed carefully and spent wisely to ensure a future of high quality, innovative programming that reaches out to educated Sikh and non-Sikh communities alike, to inspire waves of people who are more accepting of all the cultural pieces that make up this world and its history.
I am one person giving $100 today because of my SikhRI story. Will you join me?
If 100 people gave $100, than we would be well on our way to meeting our end of year online fundraising goal. Think of it this way: with my gift, we’re already 1% of the way there! Will you be another 1%? Even if you can’t give $100 today, please consider a gift in any amount that you are comfortable with. Every SikhRI story is important and every donation matters.
Share your SikhRI story when you make your donation today! E-mail us at info@sikhri.org and let us know if we can use your experience in future campaigns.