Volunteer in Profile: Nandan Nath

When Nandan Nath and his family left their home country of Bangladesh six years ago, they chose Calgary as their sanctuary.
 
Nandan’s parents, both doctors in Bangladesh, sacrificed their jobs in an unstable country to ensure Nandan and his brothers had a chance at a positive future.
 
“My parents are very selfless,” Nandan says. “They made so many sacrifices for me and my brothers. I knew I had to make some sacrifices myself.
 
“Calgary has accepted me so wholly. It just felt right to find a way to give back to a city that has given me so much.”
 
Since being in Canada, his father has obtained a Canadian license and is working as a pediatrician at Peter Lougheed Hospital, and his mother is still working towards finishing her tests to be a gynecologist.
 
Nandan has volunteered with Youth Central for two years, first joining the Youth Volunteer Corps and then the Mayor’s Youth Council and the Calgary Youth Foundation steering committees. He says his favourite experiences have to do with planning fundraisers and humanitarian projects.
 
Nandan says, “Youth Central has helped solidify the spirit of philanthropy in me. It’s more than I could have ever expected. Volunteering keeps me morally and emotionally healthy. Making sure someone else’s life is a little brighter makes my life better too. It has made me a better citizen overall, for my city, country and world.”
 
After high school, Nandan plans to become a doctor, like his parents. His goal is to set up hospitals in impoverished areas in Southeast Asia and Africa.