Raj’s father, Jagjivan was born in India to a poor family, with three brothers and two sisters. Despite enormous financial difficulties, he studied humanity and law at Bombay University and qualified as a BA LLB. He moved to Uganda in 1939, choosing not to practice law but working as a large industrial firm manager.

“He was a strong believer in education and uplifting living standards of friends and family since he had gone through difficult times in educating himself,” said Raj. “He understood the importance of educating the younger generation and worked hard to uplift the lives of the people he came across.”

Through hard work, he managed to bring four uncles, two cousins and one aunt to Uganda and settle them. His cousins went on to become a Pharmacist in the United Kingdom, while the other was a gynaecologist in the United States.

“He was a very kind and giving soul and was a trustee of the Post Secondary Education Trust fund,” said Raj. “He particularly helped and played a major role in helping hundreds of students to go to universities and colleges, and many of these students are doctors, engineers, pharmacists etc.”

Raj’s mother, Kantaben, grew up as an orphan and lived in a girl’s boarding school in India. During her life, she was very active in the charitable women’s society in our hometown in Uganda, always willing to help those who needed help.

“She was a kind soul who was always taking care of the family while giving back,” said Raj. “She was warm-hearted and always looking out for others.”

Raj remembers when his mother had a stroke in India, and he had to take her to the hospital with his brother in the back of a truck as there was no ambulance service.

For Raj and Sulu, this memory is a driving force in their decision to support healthcare and their gift to support Joseph Brant Hospital was a meaningful way to honour these incredible individuals and make a difference in the lives of others in their community