Shree Jain Youth League. Thika
The history of the Visa Oshwal Community in Eastern Africa dates back to 1896 when the first Oshwals arrived in Zanzibar and Madagascar. In 1898 they came to Mombasa and by 1901 they were running small businesses on the island.
After completion of the Uganda railway the Oshwals moved inland and settled in Nairobi, Thika, Murang'a, Embu and Meru amongst many other major urban centres. By 1905 they were running various businesses in these towns. In 1915 the Mombasa and Nairobi Oshwals met to buy land which was to be developed for the religious, social and cultural purposes. Since then, this community has been involved in the development of this nation.
Not only have they built and are managing nursery, primary and secondary schools but they also do a lot for the less fortunate members of the society. Oshwals outstanding tolerance, courage, hard work, determination and entrepreneurship has led to the great progress enjoyed by the community.
Their members are to be found in all vocations, professions as well as commerce and industry. Shree Jain Youth League whose first chairman was the Late Devshi Mepa Shah M.B.E.was founded by the Oshwals in 1941. The Leagues' aim and objective was to promote and provide welfare services for the poor. To raise funds, the League launched a lottery which was sold throughout East Africa. The proceeds of the lottery were used for various charitable purposes.
The first project undertaken by the League was to provide the cost of running a block of rooms at Thika districit hospital for many years. Other institutions that have benefitted from the Leagues' activities are a girls hostel in Nairobi, the M.P. Shah hospital and Joytown in Thika. Joytown is a school for orphans and disabled children which is run by the Salvation Army.
As time went on, it became apparent that the incidence of blindness was high in the country. Hence the launching ofthe Shah Free Eye Clinic in 1980 to prevent and treat eye diseases. During the first clinic about 8186 patients were examined and from these about 444 were successfully operated upon. Encouraged by the initial successes, the Oshwals decided to continue with the project.