Name: NAKITA SEKHON
Age: 19
School: Claremont Secondary School
in Victoria, British Columbia
Volunteer experience: B.C. Children’s
Hospital, Kiwanis Empowering Youth (KEY) Club, Ronald McDonald’s Children’s
Charities, Working with orphans in India
“Wow, what are we doing here? This is like Mars,” was Nakita Sekhon’s first thought when her family took a two-week trip to India in 2001—her first. “I saw a little boy maybe about two or three, but it was hard to tell because he was so malnourished. He was begging in the streets.” After Nakita gave him money, he sat outside the family’s hotel everyday waiting for food or money. Nakita knew that something she took for granted was a matter of life or death for this boy.
Nakita is no stranger to hardship. After suffering from unexplained pain for years, she was finally diagnosed with a rare condition called Reflex Neurovascular Dystrophy, as well as many other health problems and allergies to most foods. Born prematurely, she didn’t have the chance to develop insulation around her nerves causing her intense pain.
In 2004, Nakita began volunteering at the BC Children’s Hospital speaking to graduating medical students. She knew firsthand that the relationship between a doctor and a youth suffering from chronic pain could be either beneficial or detrimental to their healing. She advised
the soon-to-be doctors to handle such situations delicately.
These life-altering experiences opened her eyes and eventually led Nakita to become inspired and motivated to undertake what will become her life’s work. She is building an orphanage in Punjab, India called Jamsher Children’s Village. The facility, and supporting programs, will accommodate approximately 30 children at any given time.
Giving back to those in need has had a healing effect on Nakita. “It has been a way for me to focus on issues that are bigger than my health problems, and provide me with means to direct my energies in a positive way when my health is at its worst.”
In June 2007, Nakita was listed in Canada’s Top 20 Under 20. At first, she refused to even apply, deeming herself unworthy of such a title. “I am not doing what I do for recognition. I am doing it to help others. There has always been someone there to support me, but what about those kids who have no one?”
