Photo: Contributed

Sihaan Sehgal turned seven on Saturday.

But rather than splurge on gifts with birthday money, the Kelowna boy is taking his birthday cash and donating it to help children a world away.

For the past three years, Sihaan has been saving his birthday money. And on Saturday, he decided to donate it to Kelowna's East Meets West Children's Foundation. The foundation supports an orphanage and creche in India, near Delhi.

"I want to help children close to my age," says Sihaan. "East Meets West helps children in India, Nepal and  Kelowna with education and medical needs, so that is why I have chosen this children's foundation. I want all children to be healthy and happy."

Sihaan's nine-year-old sister, Saina, added to her brother's donation, breaking open her own piggy bank and giving $200, bringing their combined total to $500.

"It touches our hearts when we get donations from young people like Sihaan," said foundation board member Mike Hill.