About us

Our Mission

SAF_icon-earth

Recognize the entire human race as one

SAF_icon-love

Spread love and joy as taught by Guru Sahib

SAF_icon-integrity

Work with integrity and honesty

The SAF Story

As a dedicated and passionate group of Vancouver Sikhs with a deep connection to Sikhism, our mission is to help underprivileged communities of all faith across South Asia. With our help and the support of our donors, families can find stability and access the resources they need to succeed and prosper.

A Brief history of SAF International

2014

Sikhi Awareness Foundation is founded to provide education to children and raise awareness of the many hardships faced by families across India.

2015

We established our first Gurmat center, rebuilt 3 homes, and started a monthly food aid program.

2016

Launched 7 more Gurmat centers across Punjab, opened an office in Canada, and provided 1 million gallons of water during the MP droughts.

2017

Launched our first Gurmat center in Gujarat, expanded our sponsor program to 4 more states, and opened our India office in Punjab.

2018

Started Sikligar outreach programs in 3 separate communities, child sponsorship surpassed 500, and lifetime donor donations passed $500,000.

2019

Launched programs like “Smarter India” to uplift India’s public schooling infrastructure. We also provided vital support during the floods in Punjab.

2020

expanded all projects, built our first school, and supported communities at home and abroad during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

We’re building more homes, educating more children, launching a community gift-giving program, and supporting the farmers of India.

Our Team

Proud B.C Sikhs who believe in supporting vulnerable communities across South Asia. The directors meet several times a year and act in the best interest of our sponsors and donors to ensure that the donations we receive are used in the best way possible. 

Board of Directors

Sukhmandeep Singh

President

Sukhmandeep currently works as a Developer for Langara College in Vancouver and also pursuing BBA. He is involved in various local community organizations and loves spending time on Panthic work. His contribution to SAF began many years ago as an Intern and soon after became part of our donor community. He was chosen as the president of SAF International at our recent AGM in July 2022.

Gurmeet Singh Director

Gurmeet Singh

Treasurer

Gurmeet has been working as a Mortgage Consultant in the Metro Vancouver area for the past 25 years. He is a co- founder and President of Financial Key Mortgage Corporation, and gives back to his community through his work with charitable organizations.

Daily operations

  • All
  • Canada Team
  • India team

Shamandeep Singh

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

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Shamandeep Singh

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

Born and raised in Punjab, I grew up hearing stories of great Sikh men and women that had selflessly served and sacrificed for others. These stories ignited my passion to follow the path created by my ancestors. The problems in my homeland such as drug addiction, poverty, and abuse of girls and women only strengthened my desire to make a difference. Admittedly, creating my own journey to make a difference has been an overwhelming and humbling experience. After much contemplation, with Waheguru Ji’s Kirpa, me and my friends started small programs in my family village to work with youth and inspire them to learn and grow. This simple initiative received a great response and was very successful. Children were getting…

Harjinder Singh

Senior Project Coordinator

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Harjinder Singh

Senior Project Coordinator

Harjinder Singh’s personality and dedication towards our cause is admirable and shows the genuine and true humility of his character. He is considered Shamandeep Singh’s right hand man, and looks after SAF as a whole throughout India.  Harjinder wishes to thank you all for supporting the charity as the opportunity to work here has allowed him to sit and talk with so many different communities. He believes this job has changed him as a person and has provided great clarity in his life. Harjinder overlooks all new projects and makes sure that all the existing programs are running smoothly. He is tasked with resolving issues at all levels and he participates in field visits across multiple states within India. On…

Jatinderpal Singh

Office Manager

Jatinderpal Singh looks after SAF’s financial, HR and other general office systems to make sure everything is running smoothly in our India office. Prior to joining SAF he was running his own financial consulting firm. Working here he has had the opportunity to work in a variety of settings where he feels he is empowered, can be an advocate, motivate, connect and anchorage resilience. Jatinderpal Singh loves working at SAF because he feels that everyone shares the same vision and is genuinely dedicated to the mission of helping others.  He was drawn to work with us because he feels that serving humanity with humility, dignity and respect is of utmost importance. Jatinderpal enjoys watching football, and playing it as well…

Sandeep Kaur

Data Management

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Sandeep Kaur

Data Management

Sandeep Kaur is responsible for managing all the data collected in the India office. She renames the files, creates digital folders and ensures a smooth transfer of files between India and HQ offices. Sandeep has discovered how much she loves working here because of the rewarding experience of serving those in need, and feels like it has left a lasting impression on herself and her family. Sandeep Kaur enjoys spending time with her family and listening to kirtan from Harmandir Sahib. She loves to travel and take on new adventures in life.

Karamjeet Kaur

Education Program Assistant

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Karamjeet Kaur

Education Program Assistant

Karamjeet Kaur is an admin assistant for the education department in our charity.  She is responsible for managing the new case files and scanning all documentation for our HQ. Karamjeet Kaur is learning many new things and helps out on multiple fronts for our education department in India. This is Karamjeet’s first job, and she is excited to be part of the nonprofit sector. She was attracted to work for SAF because she feels motivated to work hard and feels good about the work that SAF does in the seva (service) of the needy and feels that it helps her feel more connected spiritually to his Sikhi. She likes to read books and spend time with her family in her…

Prabhjit Singh

Field Investigator

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Prabhjit Singh

Field Investigator

Prabhjit handles two of our biggest zones in Punjab and coordinates the gift giving program, the house repairs and improvement projects, medical aid support, and he is also responsible for surveying new cases in the Majha and Malwa regions. His duties outside of a non-profit would be divided into 3-4 separate jobs, but here at the charity we’re proud to wear multiple hats, and Prabhjit is no exception. Prabhjit’s children were sponsored by SAF in 2015, and after learning about Prabhjit’s dedication towards the Panth, he was asked to join SAF in 2017. Having seen the impact that SAF has had on his family with first-hand experience, and knowing that none of it would be possible without the support of…

Amar Singh

Field Investigator

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Amar Singh

Field Investigator

As a Field Investigator, Amar Singh’s job is an integral part of our organization. Amar Singh’s work is primarily on the ground, where he works to survey and find new cases for SAF to support. He also works on ensuring the gift giving program, house improvement projects, and medical aid support for families is operating as it should be. Prior to working here, Amar was working as a salesman. After having discovered SAF and meeting Shamandeep, Amar Singh feels like his life has a driving purpose and it has changed his perspective towards life in general.  Amar Singh enjoys playing volleyball and watching football in his free time.

Supinder Kaur

Donor Relations

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Supinder Kaur

Donor Relations

Supinder is our Donor Relations Coordinator. She ensures efficient communication with our donors to keep them informed on any concerns they may have. She also handles the child visits, birthday gifts and anything else that is related to existing donors.

Gurdeep Singh

Education Program Specialist

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Gurdeep Singh

Education Program Specialist

Gurdeep Singh recently signed on with SAF as an Education Program Specialist. He will be responsible for developing our new bursary education program, as well as our brand new gift giving program to ensure that all gifts ordered by our donors are delivered on time, data is collected and everything is operating smoothly.  He felt a pull to work for SAF after having met SAF’s Founder, Shamandeep. He feels that Shamandeep has a driving force that is contagious, and that is what motivates him to work and has left a positive and lasting impression on him and his family. Gurdeep enjoys playing cricket in his spare time, and loves to watch the Indian cricket team play as well. 

Kirandeep Kaur

Administrative Assistant

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Kirandeep Kaur

Administrative Assistant

Kirandeep is the receptionist at our Headquarters; she is the one that is responsible for greeting everyone over the phone with her pleasant voice. She handles all the mailing processes and other administrative duites. When home, she is kept busy by her children. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors seeing adventurous activities that calm her mind and get her connected with nature. Working at SAF since 2021 has taught her to be humble and grateful for all she has.

Amandeep Kaur

Receptionist India

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Amandeep Kaur

Receptionist India

Amandeep Kaur is our receptionist in our India office, and it’s safe to say that our office would not operate smoothly without her! She is responsible for answering phone calls, data entry, filing, reports, among many other tasks.  Amandeep feels blessed to be a part of the SAF team in India. She sees herself working for SAF for many more years. Amandeep Kaur enjoys spending time with her husband and children and listening to kirtan from Harmandir Sahib.

Lovejeet Kaur

Data Entry & Accounts Clerk

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Lovejeet Kaur

Data Entry & Accounts Clerk

Lovejeet Kaur joined the organization as a Data entry & accounts clerk. She handles the execution of payroll & other employee related HR. She is learning many new work processes at SAF and ready to take on multiple roles within the Canada office’s accounts and data entry department. When not working, she enjoys going the beach with sunsets. Her recent hobby of reading books also keeps her entertained during the Vancouver rainy days. Just like any Panjab, she loves eating the traditional saag and maaki di roti.

Paramjeet Singh

Field Investigator & Coordinator

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Paramjeet Singh

Field Investigator & Coordinator

Paramjeet Singh recently joind SAF as a field investigator. He brings along eight years of experience working with children and families through his work with another child sponsorship organization. He handles the FFF(Fazilka, Ferozpur, Fraidkot) area around the Pakistan border belt of Panjab. He enjoys reading Sikh history and doing Katha in his free time. He loves spending time with his young family and working toward the betterment of the Panth Khalsa.

FAQ

If you have questions or concerns regarding sponsorships, donations, your account, or SAF in general, you may find the answers you’re looking for in our handy help center.