Dasmesh Punjabi School Grade 12 students, Ramandeep Sandhu, Harleen Johal, Harsimran Dhillon and Harveen Padda organized a charity gala on May 3, 2019, with $7500.00 in proceeds going to Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association (FVBIA).
The event featured dance performances, a wide array of wonderful food, family fun, great music and dancing. During a presentation from FVBIA Executive Director, Carol Paetkau, the dinner guests learned more about acquired brain injury and the services the organization provides throughout the Fraser Valley, including support groups, drop-in centres, health and wellness programs (art, photography, yoga, fitness, cooking etc.), children’s groups, case management and life skills.
The most impactful part of the evening was a personal story of resilience from grade 12 student, Harsimran Dhillon. Harsimran faced a brain injury in 2016 and has focussed on her recovery with support from rehabilitation services, her school, family and friends.
Her friends know all too well how brain injury can change a life in an instant and were inspired to raise awareness and funds for services for people with acquired brain injury while celebrating Harsimran’s successes. She will be graduating with her friends this year.
The students were supported in this effort by the staff, board and administration team at Dasmesh Punjabi School as this was their Capstone project; part of the BC School requirements for graduation.
“A capstone project is a multidisciplinary project that serves as a culminating experience for graduating students. Capstone projects can take many forms, but most are in-depth inquiries that conclude in a final project, presentation, or performance. Students will be asked to select a topic that interests them, a potential profession, or a social problem that interests them, research that subject, journal findings or experiences, develop a portfolio, create a final product representing their learning (a paper, short film, or multimedia presentation, for example), and present their project to a panel of teachers, experts, and community members.”
FVBIA’s Executive Director, Carol Paetkau attended the event and was very impressed by the student’s efforts. “The students were very organized, professional and skilled. We are thrilled to have been chosen to be part of this celebration and their work towards graduation. They really put their heart into raising awareness of brain injury and giving to their community. Thank you to all of the students, volunteers, board, staff and administrative team at the Dasmesh Punjabi School for their hard work.”
For more information, contact:
Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association
P: 604-557-1913
201-2890 Garden Street, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4W7
Email: info@fvbia.org
Dasmesh Punjabi School
P: 604.826.1666
5930 Riverside St, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1T7
Email: info@dasmeshschool.com