A former Estevan resident's quest to supply people in a remote region of India with hockey equipment was a resounding success.
Andrew Wahba launched Hockey in the Himalayas in late-2013 and began a drive to collect 50 bags of equipment and a number of sticks as well as enough cash to transport the gear to India where it was donated to the Student's Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh. SECMOL is a non-profit, which focuses on educating children in that region of India.
In a recent interview, Wahba said he was thrilled with the support the project received, adding that Estevan residents played a big part in helping him reach the target.
"The support from Estevan was phenomenal," he said. "Between the Bruins and Estevan Minor Hockey, the support was wonderful.
"We brought two truck loads back from Estevan, so probably 12 or 13 bags of equipment, around 50 sticks and a few thousand dollars for sure. It definitely wouldn't have been as successful without the support from Estevan."
Following the successful equipment drive, Wahba was left with one more important task - transporting the gear to India and then on to the Himalayas.
The equipment arrived in India on Jan. 12 and was then shipped to its destination, much to the surprise of those at SECMOL.
"The locals were just surprised it got there this winter so they could use it this season. It's really difficult to get things through customs, so we were really fortunate and they were really excited," said Wahba who called the trip an incredible experience.
"The kids are playing six to seven hours a day at the SECMOL campus, it's just unbelievable. They are skating around with no gloves on, no helmets and just learning to skate. For a lot of them it was their first time on ice; they just don't have access to skates and equipment or access to ice."
Wahba added the reaction of the kids when they finally laid eyes on the equipment was something that will stay with him for a long time.
"They had never seen 100 sticks before. One kid was just ecstatic because he had big feet and couldn't play before because none of the skates would fit him. He must have thanked me 100 times for bringing skates.
"It was really nice, they are really appreciative and lovely people, and it was nice to support them in something fun. I was really relieved when the equipment got there because when we arrived, everybody we talked to didn't think we'd get the equipment through customs and definitely not for this season."
Although India will never be mistaken for a hockey hotbed, the sport is immensely popular with those in the northern region of the country. Wahba said at the SECMOL campus for instance, they have ice for just a few weeks each year but make the most of that time, spending hours on the rink each day.
Because of the work of SECMOL, he said hockey is also spreading to the rural communities outside of the campus. During his six weeks in India, he was able to visit some of those areas and said it was an incredible experience.
"I was able to stay at a home with a family in a rural village in the Himalayas, which was just amazing. That was in a place called Domkar, and then in another area called Lalok I went up to this winter camp they were running for the kids. We were invited to the home of one of the directors and met his mom who is a 74-year-old lady. In the summer time she takes her Yaks up into the mountains, and she lives in a tent and just kind of moves her tent around with the Yaks," said Wahba, who added the weather also made for some interesting experiences.
"It's freezing cold all the time. You are out there and it is minus 20 and you never warm up because there are no heaters inside. In the rural villages, everyone huddles around the wood stoves in the kitchen, you are sleeping in three to four sweaters, your sleeping bag and then blankets over top. But it was an amazing experience."
Among the group that joined Wahba in India was former North Portal area resident Monika Pukas as well as videographer Viktor Pesenti.
Pesenti has put together a short video of their experiences in India and the reaction when the equipment arrived. It can be found at truetravellers.org
