Today we’d like to introduce you to Kush Kaur.
Kush, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
SARBAT started during quarantine when my sister and I thought about how local businesses at our place of worship, the Gurudwara, would suffer as a result of the pandemic. My sister and I took regular Indian classical music classes with our Gurudwara priest and thought about how his business could benefit from using resources such as Google Classroom, LinkedIn, and Google Pay. Thus, we decided to create an initiative SARBAT (Sustaining and Replenishing Better Access to Technology) to provide free digital classes and online assistance to those who could utilize technology to further their business, side hustle, job search, or career. SARBAT (sustaining and replenishing better access to technology) seeks to teach digital literacy and career advice to help local businesses and the underprivileged not only get back on their feet but also grow their own careers and businesses. We started the nonprofit when we noticed the influx of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers in Dallas, Texas. We taught English, computer skills, and career development and distributed laptops to Afghans in need. This grant-winning nonprofit has received $10,000 in funding from the International Baccalaureate Organization and the Ashoka Foundation and is planned to feature in Living Magazine’s upcoming spring issue and has already been featured in a press release by the International Baccalaureate and Imagine Schools.
This one-of-a-kind nonprofit is not like any other food donation drive – it provides lifelong skills free of cost so that participants of the program can be set for life. This nonprofit has received global recognition for its international-minded efforts, and we want to now focus on our Dallas community and spread the word for more multilingual volunteers and people who can benefit from this organization.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The creation of SARBAT has prompted many hardships and obstacles along the way. When first developing the nonprofit, we had to start from scratch when promoting our mission, gathering volunteers, and finding service opportunities. We spent many months sending out promotional materials, creating educational materials, and creating a digital presence using social media and our website (www.sarbt.co). Later, as we gathered volunteers, we decided to shift our focus to the newly displaced Afghan refugee population in Dallas. We wanted to provide them with technological support so they could easily find employment and stability as new Americans. However, we had to be careful of Afghan cultural norms and the refugees’ privacy as we conducted classes. As we worked more closely with Afghan families, we found a need for something beyond technology classes. Families needed basic furniture and groceries in their areas of residence before they could continue their job search or refine their technology skills. So, we adapted to these needs and hosted a donation drive requesting specific items for families, such as cribs, electrical outlets, and groceries. Additionally, some families had Wi-Fi access but no laptops or computers to use for classes. As a result, we also created a Tech Drive to collect gently used and recent laptops and technology to lend for classes and career development.
From these experiences, we have learned to be dynamic based on the circumstances we face and have expanded our reach as a result.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Hi. My name is Kush Kaur.
I am the current CEO of SARBAT, and I hope to expand this organization’s reach to a new demographic: US veterans. I started in this organization as the Director of Digital Media, creating the website and social media content. I have recently been appointed to the CEO position by the Board of Directors and management and hope to expand SARBAT’s work even further. If you are interested in joining the initiative, you can learn more here: https://www.sarbat.co/get-involved.
Outside of SARBAT, I am a senior at Liberty High School, and I enjoy graphic design, international affairs, debate, history, and music.
I have been named DFW’s 20 Under 20 Influential Teens, a national YMCA Changemaker Advocate, and a JDRF Youth Ambassador, and have been awarded the Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award for my work in SARBAT. I am passionate about civic engagement, politics, and bioengineering, and hope to run for senatorial office in the future.
In my free time, I write articles for a renowned Sikh cultural platform, Sikhnet, and I enjoy creating art and inspiring others with my passion for pens, lettering, and stationery.
Visit my LinkedIn to learn more about me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushtkaur/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarbat.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarbat.co/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sarbat/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarbatco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarbatco
Image Credits
Kush Kaur
SARBAT members
