With “Be the Change,” students are now able to start changing the nation with their own hands.
“Be the Change” is sponsored by the Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc. and caters to students who want to volunteer time and effort in exchange for a better place to live. Taking place on Saturday at the Black Cultural Center from 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., this event will honor Mahatma Gandhi for his legendary contributions to the world.
“Be the Change” is an annual event coordinated by the South Asian Americans Leading Together organization. It is a national day of community service in spirit of Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
This event targets people nationwide in an attempt to gain civic service, leadership in the South Asian community, partnerships with other local national organizations and unity between South Asians and the U.S.
Selina Charaniya, a sophomore in political science, is the service chair for Delta Phi Omega as well as a Knoxville coordinator for the “Be the Change” event.
“I got involved in conducting and planning this event, because I think that service could bring the community together,” Charaniya said.
Charaniya said the variety of community service allows students of different interests and walks of life to use their skills and hard work to participate.
“The students will be going to different parts of the community and serving the community that they live in,” Charaniya said. “We will be working with Habitat for Humanity to restore houses, assisting senior citizens of the community and cleaning a part of the campus. Students are specifically going to these places because we want to show how important each part of community is to us.”
Juhee Shah, a junior in exercise science and president of Delta Phi Omerga, is excited about the event because Gandhi is being honored for all of his work.
“He did a lot for India, which is where my family originally is from,” Shah said. “He also contributed a lot to the world, in terms of his practices and beliefs. Such a man should be honored and thanked for all he did.” Charaniya said Gandhi’s movement for change could impact students.
“We have decided to honor Gandhi, because he led a movement through the change he has made in himself,” she said. “He has shown how just one person could make a difference that could affect the society for a change.”
For more information or to register, send an e-mail to [email protected].
