A former Estevan man is spearheading a drive to collect hockey equipment for children in the Himalayas.
Through his website truetravellers.org, Andrew Wahba has started the program Hockey in the Himalayas. His goal is to collect 50 bags of hockey equipment and 300 sticks, all of which will be donated to Students' Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), a non-profit organization with a focus on educating children in that area of India.
Wahba, who grew up in Estevan and currently resides in Regina, came upon the idea when his friend James Turner, who had previously travelled to the Himalayas, heard Wahba was planning a trip to the area in January. The friend asked if he would consider being a "mule" and taking some equipment with him to the remote area of Northern India.
"That just planted the seed," said Wahba. "We ended up getting a pretty good contract in India to help with the logistics and transportation from Delhi to Northern India.
"Once I got that, we thought let's see if we can put together a campaign and put together some more equipment because originally I was just going to take one bag, whatever I could carry on myself."
Although India doesn't immediately jump to mind when one thinks of hockey hotbeds, Wahba said the children in the region are big fans of the game.
"Apparently they are pretty mad about hockey there," said Wahba. "They only have ice in January and maybe a week in December and maybe a week in February.
"I saw some videos online, they are actually using essentially splints on hockey sticks and screwing them back together because they really enjoy playing. They have tournaments, the boards look like 2x4s; they are pretty crazy about skating and hockey and there is a girls league as well."
Wahba said because the area is so remote and the kids rely solely on donations, many of them do not have skates or other essential items. To remedy that problem they are seeking new or quality used youth equipment to take to India.
The items of greatest need are skates and sticks but they also require gloves and helmets.
Wahba said along with collecting the equipment, they will also need around $8,000 to ship it to India. They began collecting donations on Monday and have signed the company Hostel Bookers on as a corporate sponsor. O'Hanlon's Pub in Regina has also agreed to host a fundraiser on Dec. 4. They are working with Ranch Ehrlo in Regina and any surplus equipment they have for their outdoor hockey league will be donated to the program.
"Things are coming together."
Anyone interested in donating equipment can contact Wahba at 1-306-450-0103. For more information go to: www.volunteerforever.com/volunteer_profile/andrewwahba
