Help for a child's medical treatment

(This was a forward received by India Helps. Donors are requested to kindly verify the case by calling the hospital before making any donation)

 

From Israr Ahmed
Aug 28, 2010

R/sir
My daughter Quraishi Ashmira Kausar, age 21 month, is affected with a very serious and indeed, a very rare disease called "THALESSEMIA MAJOR" where in the body is unable to produce normal blood.

The only cure for this disease is "UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD TRANSPLANT". In India the best center for GRANT MEDICAL FOUNDATION RUBY HALL CLINIC, PUNE (M.S.) INDIA. The estimated cost as per enclosed details is Rs. 22.5 Lakhs approximately which is beyond my reach.

May i therefore, take the liberty of requesting you to contribute to the extent possible, for this Life & Death Problem of my Daughter. Your
contribution will not only save a dear & precious life of an innocent child, but will also, certainly turn the gloomy world of a family into
a bright one. Needless to say, even a small gesture of good will from you, will be a
token of Love for Humanity.

Thanking you in anticipation & with warm regard.
Yours faithfully,
Israr Ahmed.

Note: Your willingness and the amount you wish to contribute can be sent through Demand Drafts / Cheque favoring, 'GRANT MEDICAL FOUNDATION' payable at Pune (M.S.) India.

Address:
Israr Ahmed S/o Basheer Ahmed.
Lane No.5, Rahmaniya Colony,
Kiradpura,
Aurangabad - 431001 (M.S.) India.
Mobile: +91 9890735689.
Email: fahadisrar@rediffmail.com

Appeal from a Teach For India volunteer

I am a class teacher for 50 second graders teaching in a low income school Sri Ram Vidya Mandir in Kandivali (E).

 

As a Teach For India fellow, my job is to bridge the achievement gap that exists between a 2nd grader from a low income school and his counterpart in a high end private school. My kids come in with a lag of one year in physical growth and mental development; and two years of academic lag and the rote learning they have been through, they are a good two years(min) behind their wealthier counterparts.

A simple goal: 2 years of academic development in a single year for every one of my 50 kids!!

My Aim:  to make the next two years experiential and motivational for my class, my school and the community from where they come. These children have never been to a movie theatre, never dined at a restaurant, never met firemen, or police women. I want my children to experience different things, broaden their horizons, expose them to new emotions, all this alone can make the children of our country more tolerant and open minded.

As I cannot fight the battle alone, I need any bit of your muscle you can throw in.  How can you help?
1. All those books, CD's , educational models/toys/puzzles you once used as a kid or if you know anyone who is willing to share, I am sure my kids will love and thank you for every one of those. A book in any form is acceptable. (Postal address is below). I am looking at expanding my library - books for kids in the age group of 5-13 yrs.
Eg.: Story books with pictures would be great, eg- Dr Seuss, or workbooks that will help my kids learn better!
2. Any stationary- notebooks, pencils, erasers, charts etc.
3. I am looking forward to raise funds for their many FIRSTS. Like first field trip, first kids play at Prithvi, first visit to an aquarium/museum. It will be great if you can donate anything or get me in touch with someone who can sponsor this.
 

Contact me: 09561099409 anytime (except 11am -7 pm) or email me at rukmani.kapoor@gmail.com

L Participate as a role model for the children.
You could come to the school (Sri Ram Vidya Mandir - Kandivali (E)) & share your success story achieved through educating yourself. Or you could also do a workshop with them to stress on Fun Learning through Creativity.

Looking forward for your help!!!!
Thanks & Regards,
Rukmani

 

** Educational Facts**: To some & probably to many, it will be an eye opener that India is currently facing one of the worst educational crisis in the world. Our classrooms are understaffed, our teachers could be more engaged, our drop-out rate is unusually high (1 in 3 children who begin primary school will drop out before reaching 5th grade). And these are just a few to start off with. If you can read this - you should feel extremely privileged. As an Indian citizen, the odds that you can read are just barely in your favor - 40% of India is illiterate.

Update on Paralysis Patient at JJ

With reference to our last post about the paralysis patient at JJ hospital who needed a series of 5 injections to stave off paralysis, India Helps, Panchtatva and Rotary Club (Thank you everyone!) raised funds to contribute towards these injections. This is Sayantani's update on the case:

 

Spoke to Dr. Jadhav. He said the injections have been given for Vithal Bhoi (that's the name of the patient) and he's recovering, though slowly. As of now, there has been an improvement of about 15 - 20% and he's still in the CCU.
 
He said we can't meet him while he's in the CCU and that we can visit him once he's in the regular ward. Requested him to let us know as soon as that happens. 
 
 

Fw: GOONJ's initiative in Leh...

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

---

From: Rohit Singh <rohitgoonj1@gmail.com>

Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:11:22 +0530

Subject: GOONJ's initiative in Leh...

 

Dear Friends,

 

Here I have posted pictures from my recent visit to Leh after the cloud burst disaster. The area is certainly devastated – financially, geographically and more importantly psychologically. Imagine a place known for dry mountains and mud houses, where people had never seen rain water in the lanes. All they had seen was the melted water from the glaciers. In comparison to other disasters in the past, the number of people affected might sound less but in a population of around 20,000, 200 recovered dead bodies, 500 missing people, hundreds of houses totally crumbled, heavy loss to crop, cattle and property is not a small loss.  Refer- http://goonj.org/leh%20ppt1.pdf

 

Many families have been wiped off completely; even the dead bodies are still under the 6-7 ft. of mud, which suddenly entered their homes as they were sleeping.

 

Like in many past disasters, GOONJ will be working through local people/partners and will be focusing on gap areas. The prime concern is the upcoming winter. In winters the temperature of Leh goes down to -20 degree centigrade and this time due to lack of homes its going to be quite a miserable time. There is also a bigger question of food security as the affected people have lost the stocks they created to use in the 6 months of harsh winters..

 

There are certain specific requirements, which are listed below. As the transportation cost is really high for this area it'll not be feasible to collect material all across and transport. We are therefore planning to do essential purchases from nearby cities.

 

Material support

• Dry ration- Rice, pulses, biscuits, packed eatables
• Basic medicines
• Good quality woolen and blankets
• Tarpaulins and thick plastic sheets
• Export surplus/ Cotton cloth for making sanitary napkins
• Cooking and water storage utensils/buckets
• School material- toys & games, stationary, notebooks etc.  
•  Lanterns, candles, matchbox, torch & batteries

 (For the list of collection centers, please log on to www.goonj.org)

 

Logistical support

* Transport support to reach the material to affected areas

* Space for collection centers

* Facilities for local pickups

* Transportation of material from different cities to GOONJ processing centers in a few cities.

Financial support-

Donations in India- Please send cash/cheque/draft in the name of GOONJ and send it to GOONJ.., J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76 (Kindly send your full name, address & Pan No. with the contribution for receipt/accounting purpose. (All donations to GOONJ in India are tax exempted u/s 80 G of IT act.)

 

Overseas donation can reach us through Cheque (in the name of GOONJ with your full particulars) or by wire transfer with an information on ruchikagoonj@gmail.com    

 

Rotate it (valid only for overseas donations) through Wacovia Bank, New York swift code- 2000193008933, GOONJ, A/C No- 2591101004644
Bank- Canara Bank, H block, market Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76
Swift Code- CNRBINBBDFS

Contact- GOONJ

H.O Delhi- J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76 Tel.- 011-26972351, 41401216 E-mail- mailgoonj@gmail.com

To keep the logistics low cost, GOONJ will be sending material only from Delhi.

 

Do spread the word, talk to your friends & relatives, help us to organise campaigns in the offices, residential areas and schools.

 

 

with best

anshu

 
--
Anshu Gupta (Ashoka Fellow)
Founder Director
GOONJ
Tel.-011-26972351,41401216
Website-  www.goonj.info

Traffic warning

TrafficCity:
Heavy Rain Expected Today In Mumbai City, avoid Water Logging Junctions, Unnessarally going out without any Emergency.

Progressive paralysis case at JJ funds needed urgently!

This report in from Sayantani:

Hi,
 
Met the patient at JJ today. It is a genuine case, with the patient below poverty line - is a BPL card holder. Due to his economic status, JJ will cover all costs relating to the hospital stay, but due to the cost of the injections, they need help with that.
 
Paralysis had affected his legs first and has now moved up to his waist. However, if injections are given within a period of 2 weeks from the date of paralysis, there is an 80% chance of recovery. The patient has received one dose yesterday night, so some movement seems to have been restored to his legs. The medicines need to be continued for 5 days and the doses need to be given on consecutive days, else there is no point.
 
Each injection costs about Rs. 25k, total of Rs. 1.26 L.
 
They have also spoken to other donors, notably, the social workers at St. George's Hospital, so even if we manage to cover 2 days, possibly others will chip in for the rest. Of course, it would be great if we could cover all.
 
The injection is called IvIG and 20g of this medicine are needed each day. The injection is not stored in the hospital, but bought as per requirement, so we can either buy the injections directly or chip in and give the funds to the hospital.
 
In the event that we're chipping in, cash is welcome, so is cheque payment. In case of cheque, the payment is to be made to the pharmacy from which the medicines are bought. So a crossed cheque with the name blank and amount filled in can also be given, and we can fill in the name as and when we get to know of it.
 
The last dose was bought from Vama Lifecare at Dadar, in case any one wishes to buy the injection directly instead of chipping in for cash.
 
The contact persons at JJ Hospital are Dr. Mane (+919975720781) and Mr. Sanjay Ninave (+919222481551) - latter is the pharmacist and would be able to help out with details like dosage etc.
 
If we can collect something by end of any day, I can collect it and give it to the hospital next day. Do let me know.
 
Sayantani 

(If anyone would like to help you are welcome to contact the doctor directly or mail us at indiahelps@gmail.com)
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

More for Leh

http://www.savethechildren.in/index/49-newsflash/328-a-public-appeal-to-support-relief-efforts-in-leh.html

Job required...

From: Merril Diniz <greekgoddessofwriting@gmail.com>
Date: 3 August 2010
Subject: A deserving kid needs a job

Hope you are doing swell. I am trying to help this boy called Dheeraj get a job in Delhi/ NCR (have attached his CV).

He is a good kid (around 25 years or so) who had to start working prematurely when his father was injured and paralysed. He became a cab driver full-time and that is how I met him. Being a single woman in Noida, I would rely on him heavily to drive me around, safely.

Education-wise he has a trade certification from ITI in machine knowledge, and is doing a mechanical engineering course through correspondence. Since his knowledge of cars was decent, he was absorbed as a quality control trainee at Honda, but his one-year training is coming to an end, and they are not making anyone permanent. His correspondence programme does not interfere with the employment.

He has good knowledge of quality control for automobiles, but is also capable of doing some sort of office management job and is familiar with MS Office. He is also a quick learner. I can vouch for his sincerity, honesty and hardworking nature.

If you have any contacts in Delhi who would be in a position to help him find a job (HR, entrepreneurs etc), would be great if you could put this kid through to them. Feel free to forward the mail. Essentially, he needs a stable job that pays his salary on time. He is the only earning member and needs to support his pop/ mom/ bro and wife (he was married when 21). Thanks much for your time.

regards,

Merril Diniz
Media professional @ Delhi

Update on Ahana

This just came in from Baisali:

 

Spoke to Purnima about a week or so ago. They've gone back to her home town and they seem to have settled down nicely. She said she has good help, an able physiotherapist and a kindly pharmacist. She seemed very relieved and her voice was a lot lighter.

She thanked me and IH over and over again and also extended a warm invitation to Sue and me to visit her. She said this repeatedly.

The only help she requested from us is when and if there is ever a medical emergency, that we help her with funds. I said of course.

It felt good speaking to her. She sounded happy.

Baisali

More ways you can help Leh

Check this link out:

http://hindolsengupta.blogspot.com/2010/08/whypoll-for-leh-donations-for-tents.html

The Gift of 40

I received this mail from Sujatha at www.blogpourri.com (blogpourri@gmail.com)

Hello all,

I am writing to you to tell you about a special project a group of us
has been working on.

I turned 40 this year and each year millions of people around the
world celebrate their 40th birthday, but in places like Lesotho in
southern Africa, the average life expectancy is under 40. A small
group of people has launched the Gift of 40 Campaign to change that.

Most people are surprised when they hear they are outliving the
average life expectancy anywhere. And yet, sadly, it is the case for
millions of people in a handful of developing nations, including
Lesotho.

In the developed world, and in particular in American popular media,
turning 40 is often depicted as a marker of middle age. Reaching 40 is
rarely described in the historically accurate terms we believe it
ought to be -- as an achievement by individuals and the societies in
which we live. And it's not just an achievement, it's a gift. Like
other gifts, we believe it is one best shared.

Not only does Gift of 40 aim to raise funds for PIH's Lesotho Project
from people around the world, it also serves to remind people that it
is truly a gift to live to 40 and beyond.

Please join my Gift of 40 campaign - and help others reach their 40th
birthdays. I am taking part in the Gift of 40 Campaign to support
Partners In Health's programs in Lesotho. By providing comprehensive
medical care and comprehensive social services, PIH works to help
others reach this same milestone.
What You Can Do
If 40 of my friends contribute $40 in honor of my 40th birthday, I
will raise $1,600 for PIH's programs in Lesotho. Please give your gift
to my Gift of 40 Campaign by going to this page -
https://donate.pih.org/page/outreach/view/Giftof40/Sujatha - and
clicking on the "Click Here to Donate" button. You can donate in any
currency via credit card, Pay Pal, wire transfer or by mail.
Interested in spreading the Gift of 40 to celebrate the birthday of a
loved one? Click "Create Your Own Page Now" at the above link and
start raising support for PIH's work in Lesotho. And then pass it
on--especially to others turning 40 who will want to help others do
the same. I hope you will spread the word via your own blogs, Twitter
pages, Facebook, Orkut, Myspace, etc.
If you have any questions at all, please let me know. I'd be happy to
answer them.

Thank you!
Sujatha

The Gift of 40 Campaign: http://www.giftof40.com

Read our Mission Statement: http://giftof40.blogspot.com

Follow Us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/giftof40

For Ladakh Relief...

If you are wondering what you can do to help the people in Ladakh,
here are some options:

Thank you Chandni for the link:

http://www.charitiesinindia.org/2010/08/lagagpas-rising-up-to-help-people-of.html

Documentary screenings available for schools and colleges

 

Respected Sir/Madam,

 

My name is Hari Chakyar. I currently work as an advertising copywriter for a digital agency called Media2win in Tardeo. I have my weekends free and have set out to screen documentary films to students in schools and colleges in the time I have.

 

Following are the details of the documentary films I wish to screen:

 

The Last Dance – This film is about the cruel manners in which a sloth bear is often captured and made to dance and how this crime can be ended. A film by Ashima Narain

 

The Hunted – India's national animal has a threatened future. This film by Jay Mazoomdaar tells us why.

 

Turtles in a Soup – Many species of freshwater turtles are heading towards extinction because of their illegal trade. A film by Kalpana Subramanian.

 

The Silenced Witness – Very soon, one may not know what an elephant looks like because their species is under severe threat by poachers. A film by P. Balan and Radha R.

 

Diminishing Resources is a film about the gradual loss of coral reefs across the vast coastline of India owing to selfish needs of human beings. This film by Himanshu Malhotra and Sabina Kidwai tell us how we can help protect them.

 

Once there was a Purple Butterfly - This film by Sonya V. Kapoor focuses on the crimes against butterflies.

 

Leopards in the lurch is a film about how leopards fall prey to the ignorance of villagers. A film by Gurmeet Sapal.

 

All the above films were selected for the UK Environment Film Fellowships in 2006 and were produced by the UK Government. The duration of each film is 15 minutes.

 

 

Target audience: Students from class 8 to 10 and above   Duration of the session: 1 hour (inclusive of 2 films, 2 small quizzes, question-answer session and a talk about what one can do to protect the environment).   Charges: Rs. 500 (per session)

 

 

 

Why I want to screen these films at schools and colleges

 

Mankind is highly responsible for the extent of damage caused to the ecosystem. The visible effects of climate change and the destruction of forest and wildlife resources are just a few.

 

I wish to create awareness among people regarding such crucial issues and I have begun with schools to try and make a better-informed generation of youth.

 

Last year in June, a group of friends and me staged a street play outside Ambarnath railway station, thus beginning the Nature Baba campaign. We also planted over 120 trees across the town of Ambarnath, over 80 of which stand strong and are growing healthily.

 

(The Mumbai Mirror was kind enough to write about us- http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/82/2009061420090614030154305d51437e2/Mumbais-captain-planet.html

 

And so was The Indian Express - http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/ambernaths-green-warrior/479474/)

 

I hope to be able to explain these ideas to the best of my capabilities to your young students.

 

Hoping to hear from you soon.

 

Creatively yours,

 

Hari Chakyar

 

Flat No. 13,

Seema Apts;

Pathare Park,

Ambarnath (E)

421501

 

Mobile: 09323388803

Email: duke.ambarnath@gmail.com

 

Job needed for cerebral palsy afflicted person

From: Garima Gandhi <garimaggandhi@gmail.com>

Hi,

I need your help.

My cousin, Ruchit Gulati is a patient of Ataxia (a type of Cerebral Palsy) which is a progressive degenerative disease. Over time, he has lost the strength to use his hands and legs and is presently on a wheel chair.

Ruchit wishes to be independent and we are searching for a suitable work option for him. We would like to request for your help in this regard.

In case you need any more information, please reply back.

Hoping for a positive and prompt reply soon, thanks a lot for everything.

Warm Regards,
Garima

 

PS: If anyone could help Ruchit, please mail Garima at the address above.

Collecting old clothes for Hamara Footpath

We are a community of people working with street children of Mumbai.

Do you have clothes in your wardrobe that you just don't wear or want to give away?

We are having a garage sale for a cause. We are collecting all cool female clothes and selling them on the Independence Day weekend (14 & 15th Aug2010).

Those interested in:-

Donating good clothes in good condition (good enough for you to buy)

OR

Volunteering to help us organize, let us know.

DROP OFF ADDRESSES:

Priya Sachdeva - +91-9821136298 (for nariman pt or colaba)

Nupur Shah – 87/14, Sindhu Bldg., G Road, Marine Drive, Mumbai -2.
...+91-9819077971

Rhea Bhumgara – 642, Amardad, Rd No. 9, Rustom Tirandaz Marg, Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai -14
738, Shirin Villa, Rd No. 5, Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai -14
+91-9820535310

Evita Fonseca – 7D, Cenced Apartments, Dr. Ambedkar Rd., Next to Bajaj Park, Bandra (W), Mumbai-20
+91-9819066726

Shaili/ Shubhangi Swarup - A-43, Ruia Park Co-op Housing Society, J. R. Mhatre MArg, ahead of Army Club, Juhu,
Mumbai – 49
Shaili - +91-9820387626
Shubhangi - +91-9930013555
If you email us your contact number on hamarafootpath@gmail.com

Cheers!
http://www.facebook.com/hamarafootpath