We are sad to announce that we were not able to get enough backing to support Vijay in getting his Visa to come to Canada in September. HOWEVER, we are not giving up and still looking for support with this process for a future date. If you can help, please contact us. Specifically if you are connected or know someone within Rotary. Thanks so much for your ongoing support!!! WE WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

Today the Leadership as Rx’d Team was interviewed by OMNI TV about Project Vijai – the struggles and inspiration that surround it. Tune into OMNI TV (ch.4 in YYC) Monday at 8pm or Tuesday at 6am to catch the story. The story will also be available online for those of you outside of the area.

A BIG Thank You to OMNI for helping us get our story out there!!

Check out our Facebook Page for some shots from today.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in “Project Vijay”.

In March, Vijay obtained his passport and applied for a visa to Canada. This application was rejected as the Canadian embassy in Delhi determined that due to his youth, employment, travel history and supposed lack of family (he does have 68 brothers and sisters at Sri Ram Ashram!), Vijay was a flight risk.

Deeply disappointed by this decision, Leadership as Rx’d contacted MLA Diane Ablonczy and MP Manmeet Bhullar for assistance. Both officials wrote compelling
letters of support for Vijay to come to Canada. Clearly, this wasn’t enough as Vijay was refused his visa for a second time.

A strategy was suggested for Vijay to apply for a visa to Singapore where there is a level one certification scheduled for late June. Having an entry/re-entry stamp on his passport may help convince the Canadian government that Vijay is not a flight risk. The Singapore visa was applied for and, granted!

Since the original idea to help Vijay get his cross fit certification came out of the Leadership as Rx Project, we will use some funds from the Project Vijay fundraiser to cover his flight to Singapore. It is wonderful to note that CrossFit Singapore held a fundraiser and are covering Vijay’s accommodation costs. As originally planned, CrossFit Headquarters will cover the certification costs for Vijay. Clearly, the CrossFit community, worldwide, is a magical force filled with great people!

Although our original ‘flight path’ has faced a detour, this challenge has merely increased our motivation to bring Vijay to Calgary. Vijay considers Brett to
be his ‘coach’ and he will benefit from spending some time with the Calgary community. Equally importantly, we at Leadership as Rx’d would like to help
support Vijay’s vision of bringing grassroots Crossfit to India. If we can help some of Vijay’s dreams come true, he will soon be in a position to help other youth at the Ashram. In turn, those youth will help others and many dreams shall be realized.

Our new plan is to offer a level 2 certification at CFC this fall with the intent that a third visa application will be successful. To do this, we will soon be contacting the Minister of Immigration’s Office with plans of hosting Vijay in Calgary. Once you meet Vijay, you will undoubtedly share our passion for making dreams come true.

The India and Vijay project served as the launching pad for us to develop youth leadership projects locally as well as globally. We are also working on a project here in Calgary that mirrors some of what got started in India.

Thank you for your ongoing support! If you know of any government or media contacts that can help us with this process, please contact amylafleche@gmail.com.

Positively,

Amy, Brett, Yasmin

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