The Canyon Crest Academy Child Rights and You Youth Club recently organized a Diwali celebration at a local park to give back to a charity that works to improve the lives of children in India.
Rhea Rupareliya, along with her sister Roha, started the Child Rights and You (CRY) club to encourage high school kids to learn more about Indian culture and support underprivileged kids in the country.
She was inspired to start the club after a trip to India last summer where they visited a few orphanages and saw children lacking the most basic necessities. She researched ways she could help at home and found the CRY organization, which helps to solve a variety of issues such as education, immunization, child labor and more. “I saw this as an opportunity to include the youth community here in Carmel Valley in providing solutions for these kids in need,” Rhea said.
The club’s Diwali event was held at Ocean Air Community Park.
“Diwali is a big holiday in India, just like Christmas here, that celebrates the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,” Rhea said. “Some key ways Diwali is celebrated is through artwork, special candles called ‘diyas’, fireworks and sparklers, and sharing sweets and treats among family and friends.”
CRY Youth Club members Anika Ranjan, Rhea Rupareliya, Roha Rupareliya, Keegan Shapiro and Anya Shah.
(Dharmesh Rupareliya)
During their event, they sold chaat, a well-loved Indian food, along with chai and a “sweet and refreshing” mango lassi (smoothie). They also had a station for rangoli, a type of Indian sand art.
“Rangoli was a great way for our team to connect with kids and adults from all ages at the park, by bringing them back the memories of Diwali celebrations from India,” Rhea said.
Their event raised about $270 for CRY and while Rhea said it may not look like much, they kept their prices low to “test the waters” as they are just getting started and learning more about hosting community events. Going forward the club plans to do more outreach within the Indian community and they hope to host a Holi celebration in March along with more bake sales and fundraising events with local restaurants.
“Our club is reaching out to other youth chapters at other high schools, like Del Norte and Westview, to develop their own events and also collaborate to bring awareness to Indian culture and assimilate with other communities around San Diego,” Rhea said.
The CRY Youth Club event included rangoli, a type of Indian sand art.
(Dharmesh Rupareliya)
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