"The Interview Project" Featuring Chandrika Anjaria
Celebrating Chandrika Anjaria
Chandrika came to Canada in 1972, and has a loving and supportive husband. They have two children and two grandchildren. For over 30 years, Chandrika has been devoted to sharing ideas and utilizing her experience to better her community. She currently serves on the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre Board of Directors. Her focus is helping new Canadian immigrants, particularly those in the Waterloo Region. Through the India Canada Association Outreach Program, she supports families by ensuring a smoother transition to life in Canada. This is just one of her many volunteer efforts, as she is also involved with many other organizations, and cultural groups who provide meaningful connections to the community. Being a volunteer in any capacity makes her proud to be Canadian.
“Volunteering doesn’t require a large time commitment; it requires heart and a passion for sharing your knowledge!”
What volunteer experiences are you most passionate about in your life?
“I enjoy helping people, irrespective of their background, in whatever capacity they need. I have lived in Waterloo Region since the mid-70’s and started volunteering in a small way. At that time, I really didn’t know what being a volunteer meant. I had time to give and I learned about what it meant to volunteer, and learned that I had something to contribute. Volunteering makes me feel like I am part of the entire community. That is the most rewarding.”
What aspects of serving your community and giving back are most important to you? What motivates you to help in these ways?
“Most important, I enjoy meeting people, learning about their experiences, and wanting to make things better…
“There is a certain amount of satisfaction knowing that you can help someone because you yourself know what it’s like. For example, I am very passionate about supporting the transition of immigrants to Canada. To leave everything they know in their home country and start over again, find work, raise a family is admirable and difficult at the same time. When I came to Canada, my support systems were other immigrants who helped me navigate day to day living. We didn’t have the community groups, or government support systems that exist today. It is only because of my experiences that I feel I can give back and be an advocate and support immigrants as they create their new life…
“Recently, I was asked by the Consul General of India (Toronto) to support international students in Waterloo Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are stranded in Canada and need assistance finding the most basic necessities such as food, and they need help to connect to local doctors, pharmacists and mental health professionals.”
What is something most people in your life would not know about you?
“As a volunteer with the India Canada Association of Waterloo Region, organizing the South Asian Cultural Festival ‘Mela’ is a highlight in the summer season. It is public festival attracting everyone who has an interest in learning more about our culture. I enjoy this event immensely…
“I love to travel around the world and learn about other cultures. Travelling with friends is always fun, and we recently journeyed to Australia and New Zealand in Nov 2019, and in February 2020, we traveled to Egypt and Jordan.”
What would you want younger/future generations to know about these efforts? What advice would you share with them?
“Volunteering doesn’t require a large time commitment; it requires heart and a passion for sharing your knowledge!
“Start volunteering, meeting other people, listening to their experiences. It is not only rewarding but it can shift your perspective.”
What would you want people to know about the process of aging that you feel is currently misunderstood within society?
“You don’t have to stop at retirement. I am just as busy now as I was when I was working full-time. The only difference is that I meet more and different people within the community, and I get to spend more time with my friends and family.”
What aspect of your life are you most proud of?
“The greatest joy I get is volunteering with older adults. I learn from them! I am also proud that anyone in the community feels comfortable reaching out to me when they need help. I can connect them to another person, or a resource. I have learned a lot about our community over the last 30 years, and I know I can help anyone with that knowledge.”
What does age mean to you?
“Aging is a privilege! I am making the most of it!”
To contact Chandrika Anjaria, e-mail canjaria@uWaterloo.ca, or telephone 519 579 2797.