A dedication to helping others that started in Guyana has carried over to the United States for Richmond Hill resident Karran Jainarain.
While in his native country of Guyana, Jainarain volunteered with organizations such as UNICEF, the UN Family Planning Association and UN Development Program. He said much of it had to do with youth development.
Jainarain also worked closely with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, which influenced him to get involved in other organizations.
“I was motivated to do these kinds of community service or community work because I feel that when I give my service to people . . . and they’re happy I also feel like I’ve done something productive with my life,” Jainarain said.
In 2002, Jainarain came to the United States.
“I wanted to go on with my studies and make myself a better person,” he said, adding that he has had a chance to do that.
Jainarain earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Queens College in 2007, and is continuing his studies there now as he pursues a master’s degree in early childhood education.
“I’ve always loved Queens College because of the diverse group of students that are there,” he said. He also said that it has a faculty and staff that “rocks the nation.”
There are numerous activities at Queens College that Jainarain participates in. He is president of their International Student Community Club, chief of staff of the Democratic Student Alliance, board member for the Student Marketing Team and team leader for their CUNY First project.
Last semester, Jainarain participated in Queens College’s Big Buddy Program, which helps children who are living in shelters. He currently works part-time at the school’s Child Development Center.
Jainarain plans on becoming a teacher.
“I’m not going to stop there,” he said, adding that if something else comes along he will think about it. “I love what I do and that’s why I chose this field.”
Jainarain has received many different awards in recognition of his service to others. He said that such honors feel great, although they do not get in the way of him doing even better.
“That motivates me even more to do more,” he said.
One of Jainarain’s hopes is that those he has helped will, in turn, help others. He said that it is “like building a community with love and harmony.”
The most rewarding part of the work he does, Jainarain said, is when he does something and sees a smile on the person’s face. He said that shows him he helped in some way and that it makes him feel better.
Jainarain said that he is not sure yet where the future will take him. Right now, he said he loves helping at a grassroots level, but that in the future he might end up someplace where he could help out even more.
