In 2018, for my 60th Birthday I launched a series of projects. One of them is to honour the 60 most influential people in my life. People who inspired me, shaped my thinking and modelled a meaningful life. This site is to honour these special people.
In 1971, my dad immigrated to Canada in search of a brighter future for his family. Three years later, when my mother, two brothers and I arrived in Canada, we had no idea what we were coming to. We thought we were coming to a land of prosperity and freedom. What we didn’t know is that we would be entering one of the most difficult times of our lives.
We were met with racism in school, at work and even in finding a place to live. My dad managed to rent the basement of a house in Vancouver that had a dirt floor. The only bathroom was upstairs, and it was shared with three men on welfare. In the attic was a nice Dutch landlord. This marked the start of our journey in Canada.
In 1978, after high school and two years at the University of British Columbia, another journey started. I attended what is now called Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta. After graduating in 1981, I worked at the University for a few years and then for Gerald Wasylyshew, CA. In 1986, I started my own computer company which I still own, Advanced Systems. Though starting a business is never easy, this allowed me to earn a comfortable living.
In 1990, my friend Brian Leavitt and I founded a non-profit organisation called A Better World. Hundreds of people joined our mission and we were able to go beyond our borders, helping in nearly 15 countries. All of this was possible because of the people I met along the way.
This site is dedicated to the people who have been a part of my journey, about the influence they had on me, and the difference they made in my life. They are family, friends, business associates, children, youth, seniors and anyone who had a part in shaping who I am. These people encouraged, supported, financially assisted, and provided jobs that made my journey possible. Because of them life got much better for us all. Over the next several months I will be writing about these special people.
Thank you for visiting this site. My hope is that it inspires all who come across it. More importantly, however, my hope is that it shows my gratitude to those that have walked alongside me and my family.
Eric Rajah 