A FAMILY holiday has been altered to a humanitarian journey as one Mount Gambier family hopes to play a role in recovery efforts on Kangaroo Island.
Raj Chauhan and his family will deliver pallets of donations to the fire-affected areas of the island, with the Foodland Mount Gambier manager eager to help residents rebuild.
Mr Chauhan’s sister Surinder Kaur had originally planned to visit Australia from Italy for a holiday, opting instead to help support those in need.
With a history of social work both in India and Italy, Ms Kaur has adjusted her travel plans to help the island community.
“We are not too sure of how we can help over there as we are waiting to hear back from the charities, but we are happy to do anything they need,” Mr Chauhan said.
Mr Chauhan said he was inspired to help given the warm welcome he received from Australians when he arrived in the country in 2006.
“People (in Australia) helped me achieve my goals and when I started working as a sales representative I soon realised that people here are more about helping locals than they are about saving money,” he said.
“That is something which has really stuck with me as I continue my journey in Australia.
“Now whenever I make a decision I think if it will benefit the community in a positive way.”
Mr Chauhan said his family hoped to provide support to children as they look to readjust and resume their education.
“Even if that is as simple as buying them new school bags or even paying their school fees for a couple of years,” he said.
“We just want to go over there and tell them it is okay and they do not need to worry about anything.”
Mr Chauhan and his family plan to travel to the island this week.
