Partners - GN Trust
Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust (GN Trust)
Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust
The Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust (GN Trust) was established in 1980 by Mr. Budh Singh Dhahan and a small group of founding members to bring education and health services to rural communities in Nawanshahar district, Punjab. His original vision was to provide educational opportunities for girls and young women from rural villages.
“I want to uplift the poor and less educated, especially young girls and women.” These words capture the life mission of Mr. Budh Singh Dhahan. He is the inspirational founder and founding president of GN Trust.
From the opening of a 40-bed hospital at Dhahan-Kaleran in 1984 followed by a primary school a few years later, GN Trust has continued to serve the rural population with an impressive range of health and educational programs that have expanded over time. The Trust operates a well-established public school covering all grades—with 1,600 students attending from 130 surrounding villages and towns—and a 200-bed hospital with many departments and a large outpatient service.
It has a reputable nursing education program offering both a General Nurse-Midwifery (GNM) diploma and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc.N) degree. To date there have been 649 GNM graduates and 389 Nursing degree graduates. The organization was a pioneer in offering a residential drug rehabilitation facility in rural Punjab. The Guru Nanak Mission Trust campus also offers staff and student housing, an administration building, a Sikh Temple, a guest house and adjacent retail stores and related services.
Budh Singh Dhahan’s vision also encompassed employment creation in rural Punjab as a way to improve living conditions. Through the services provided by the organization, many people have gained secure and meaningful employment in the hospital, school, nursing college, drug treatment centre and related support services. Economic activity generated by GN Trust has benefitted local retailers and service providers as well as the construction sector in the district.
CIES has been a long-term partner and supporter of GN Trust through significant fundraising in Canada, public engagement activities and provision of bursaries to students. Over the years, CIES has also gained support from Canadian service clubs and the business community to provide targeted funds for hospital equipment and expansion projects.