Khalsa Phalvardi
Khalsa Phalvardi is an organization that intends to bring awareness of culture, religion, traditions, history, as well as social wellbeing to the Sikh community, especially the youth and children. The organization was founded in 1997 and has been carrying regular activities ever since by holding weekend classes, camps and functions.
The organization was founded with the primary purpose of educating the Sikh children on the tenets of the Sikh faith and to facilitate their spiritual and intellectual development and to sponsor activities to advance this goal. In particular, the Khalsa Phalvardi has taken over objectives to teach Sikh history, Gurmukhi script, Punjabi language, Gurbani (Sikh scriptures), classical Sikh music and Sikh martial art (Gatka).
Nurturing the Sikh Spirit
Khalsa Phalvardi came into existence by opening a weekend school for the Sikh children at Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash located on 4250 E. Lincoln Ave, Fresno, CA. At that time, the total enrollment was of fifteen kids and there were three volunteers who helped teach the kids. The school continued to gain popularity and more children started enrolling in classes. By the end of year 1999, the enrolled of children had gone up to over fifty children who attended regularly while by year 2002, there were over a hundred children that were enrolled in classes.
To further expand the operations of Khalsa Phalvardi, the facilities were moved to 12668 S. Highland Ave, Selma, CA. 93662 where the volunteer staff felt the children could be catered better. This location remains to facilitate the activities of Khalsa Phalvardi and classes and camps are still held on a weekly basis. Week-long camps are held biannually in which special classes are held to educate the children. Professional teachers are invited to take part in the camp to help teach religious music, Sikh history, and martial arts. These camps are so popular that parents send their wards to take part from outside of California and even Canada as well.
Khalsa Phalvardi was incorporated as a non-profit organization on July 08, 2003. Currently, a team of seven volunteers is running the tasks of the organization.
Considering the demands and appeals of the Sikh community-based in the Central Valley (Kingsburg, Selma, Fowler, Fresno, Clovis, Madera, and Chowchilla), plans have already been initiated to build proper schooling facilities to further aim towards the goals of Khalsa Phalvardi. Construction of a Sikh temple which will be under direct control of Khalsa Phalvardi is already undergoing in Madera while construction of a brand new school will soon start in Selma. We aim to start providing counseling services to Sikh children and parents soon once the construction finalizes. The purpose behind this will be to keep the Sikh community focused away from problems caused by drugs, gangs and other harmful influences.
Project
Gurdwara Gurmat Parkash, Madera
West Coast Sikhi Camp
Camp Jeevan
Weekly Gurmat Classes
Gatka Training