Update on Sudha's college fee fund

This mail just in from Lavanya:

Hello everyone,

Hope this email finds you all in good health and in festive spirits!

Sudha has completed her first semester exams. The results will be announced in February 2014. She found English classes a bit difficult. The college has appointed a teacher who can speak only English to teach these kids. To make the connection between local language and English language is left to other students who are from English medium schools. Sudha sat with me during few weekends to understand 'Clauses and Phrases'. Apparently, these subjects were not handled in her English classes. I plan to coach Sudha every Saturday so that she can be well prepared before her next exam.

Her next term fees is Rs.7000/- to be paid before Dec 10th. I will be withdrawing this amount and handing it to her tomorrow. When I spoke about additional Rs.596 (interest portion)to be used for travel expenses, Sudha told me that her family is able to manage that bit. Hence requested me to save it for her 2nd year.

A quick recap of the numbers so far---

Amount collected Rs.29,501.00

1st term fees paid Rs.16,000.00

Amount put in FD Rs.13,501.00
Maturity amount Rs.14,097.00

2nd term fees paid Rs.7,000.00

Amount remaining Rs. 7,097.00

I have asked Sudha to get complete fees details(with breakups in each year) from her college. I shall be posting the same once I get it on hand. Please feel free to reach out to me in case you need some information.

Many thanks once again for all your contributions. Wishing you all a fabulous, healthy and joyful 2014.

Donate warm clothes to the flood affected in Uttarakhand via Care Vectors

What is Mission Warmth ?

Even five months after the disaster, the situation is still not normal for our fellow citizens residing in this mountainous area. Winter season has begun, snow has already started, and a large number of population is still without proper clothing and other necessary requirements. "Mission Warmth" is our newest initiative in which we aim to provide the flood-affected locals of the region with warm winter clothing to ensure their survival against the harsh elements of nature.

How can you help?

1. Contribute woollens and other winter clothing and essentials (gumboots, gloves, etc).

2. Monetary support

3. Through Volunteering (self-supported as we are currently without formal sponsors and cannot afford to pay volunteers).

4. Support us by awakening the people about this program and garnering the support at many levels.

Go here for further details: http://carevectors.org/mission-warmth/

Monetary help for education for an underprivileged girl

This is a verified case:

A friend posted this on her facebook and I am reposting it here. If anyone would like to help this girl, the bank details are given below.

A friend [ Lavanya Parameshwar ] is collecting a modest amount to pay college tuition fees for the daughter of her neighbourhood iron-wallah. The girl has worked very hard to get into a decent college (B.Com), and the 25k per annum is a big amount for the family. If you can help, please let her know here. This will be purely on trust and as a support for a hardworking young woman, not through a NGO, hence no receipts, tax exemption etc.

Chennai Collection Centers for Goonj's Flood Relief Operations

Chennai Cares, a voluntary disaster response initiative by the citizens of the city, is collecting materials for the Uttarakhand flood relief efforts at a number of locations. They have already dispatched one batch of materials to Goonj in Delhi, from where it will be forwarded to affected areas.

It is recommended that you check their blog for updates and contact the relevant persons listed before you take action.

Note: India Helps is merely passing on information to those interested in assisting, and is in no way affiliated to Chennai Cares.

No.	Location	Address	Volunteer	Contact No.
A	CENTRAL COLLECTION POINT Nanganallur	Shri Akshayaa Mahal, 6/28, 5th Main Road, (BM Hospital Road), Thillai Ganga Nagar, Near St. Johns CSI Church, Nanganallur, Chennai 600061 Directions / Landmark: Take the road opposite to OTA, cross the subway, take a immediate U Turn, take first left, then 3rd right. The building is at the end of the road.	Mr. Balasubramaniam	9841098205
1	Adyar	Sai Siddha Yogashram, Door No.2C, 3rd Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai 20	Ms. Anu	9940304546; 9094464773
2	Anna Nagar	W/596, Apsara Manor Park Road, Anna Nagar West Extn., Ch 101	Mr. Rahul	9500112910
3	East Tambaram	13 M R Block, R C Victoria Garden, 1, iaf Road, East Tambaram, Near MCCC College Compound	Mr. Raajaram	9500017632
4	Ennore	No.2, Thilagar nagar, Ennore, Chennai 57 Directions / Landmark: Near Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishnar Vazhipaatu Mandram	Mr. Vijayakumar	9962846071
5	Injambakkam	57/1, Aranya, Dr.Seshadri Avenue, Injambakkam. Directions / Landmark: After VGP, there's an Indian Oil Petrol bunk. Take the left after that. The house on the left down the slope.	Mrs. Lakshmi Renganathan	9444430783
6	Jaferkhanpet	Thozhan Trust, B65, Lalbhagadhur Sasthiri Street, Sathyamoorthy Block, Jaferkhan pet, Chennai - 600083.	Mr. Radhakrishnan	9941142188
7	Kilpauk	210, Rajendra Apartments, Kilpauk, near Secretariat Colony, Beraka Road, Chennai 10	Dr. Sai Lakshmi	044 26403277
8	Kodambakkam	Bharathi Snacks, No.51A, Sivan Koil South Street, Kodambakkam, Chennai 24	Mr. Venkadesh	9094758930, 9566209354
9	Kottivakkam	Flame Tao Knoware Pvt. Ltd., 2/544, Maithri, 4th Street, Sriram Avenue, Natesan Colony, Kottivakkam, Chennai 41	Mr. Raghu Ananthanarayanan	044-24487949
10	MGR Nagar	Sevai Kalanjiyam Trust, New No.33, Old NO.16, Neduncheliyan Street, M.G.R. Nagar, Chennai 78	Mr. Muralidharan	9094777246
11	Mylapore	Ramakrishna Mutt salai, Mylapore, Chennai 4	Admin. Office	044-24621110
12	Perambur	Gold Heart Foundation, 13,Saravanan Street, Lakshmi Amman Nager, Erukancheri, Perumbur. Chennai-600118	Ms. Priya	9884629206
13	Perumbakkam	No.41, Isha Signature Vilas, Tank Bund Road, Perumbakkam (off OMR)	Ms. Priya	9962566224
14	R A Puram	Flat No.2, Green Park Apts., 3, Greenways Road Extn., R A Puram, Chennai 28. Directions / Landmark: When coming from Adyar, take left after Sathya Studio, then 2nd right near State Bank of Travancore. Take the 1st right which is a dead end. The Apmt is at the end of the road.	Mr. Nagesh	044-24935528; 9445637396
15	Thiruvallur	White House, No.11, Mu Varadharasanar Cross Street, Manavalanagar, Thiruvallur 2	Ms. Rajeshwari	9500112909
16	Villivakkam	712, NPL Anjali, 264 MTH Road,Villivakkam, Chennai 49	Ms. Deepavali Anand	8056046399
17	Velachery	Jai Saraswathi', 12A, Chockalingam Nagar, AGS Colony, Velachery, Chennai 42.	Mrs. Rama Ram	9500162652

Additional Mumbai Collection Centers for Goonj's Flood Relief Operations

Please contact the following Goonj centers to donate relief materials (see previous post for items needed) in Mumbai. Please be aware that if you drop off your contribution at any of these venues, you will be giving to Goonj DIRECTLY and not through India Helps.

The Goonj Office

Contact: Ms. Susaana/ Mr. Arvind (022- 28453034, 87674 34352)
Office Address: GOONJ.. Mumbai, 1st floor, M/s Mukund Synthetic Industries, R. R. Industrial Estate, W.E. Highway Road, Kashimira, Mira Road (E), Thane, Maharashtra- 401104
Email: susaana@goonj.org
* If you are not able to reach our team members on the above numbers, then please call us on 011- 41401216 or write to us mail@goonj.org


Material Drop-off Centers

SOUTH MUMBAI

WORLI: 6, Sea Glimpse, 69 Worli Hill Road, Worli, Mumbai- 400 018.
Tel.- 98203 00281
Contact- Ms. Sarika Pherwani 
Note: Please call only after 6.00 p.m.

WESTERN SUBURBS:

1) Santacruz (W): Gypsy Rose, 10/11, Arun Bazaar, 2nd Hasnabad Lane, Santacruz (W), Mumbai – 400 054.
Tel.- 022-2649 2649/ 2649 4530
Contact- Mr. Khalil Malik
Timing – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm 
Note: Materials can be dropped on Saturday and Sunday only and this center is closed on Thursday.

2) Andheri (E): Exotica Exports, 5-C / 90, Mittal Estate, Sir M V Road, (Near Leela Hotel), Andheri (E), Mumbai- 400059.
Tel.- 022-2850 0646
Contact- Receptionist (On weekdays only)

~

Please share this additional information with anyone in your circle who may wish to make a contribution!

India Helps Collection Centres for Goonj

India Helps is accepting public donations of all required materials for the ongoing Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh flood relief efforts. These will be sent to Goonj, who will further direct trucks of resources to the affected areas. Efforts are underway already and the need is URGENT. Please read this recent post on this blog or visit the Goonj appeal to learn about additional ways you can help.

What India Helps will collect: Tarpaulins, mosquito nets, dry ration ( primarily-rice, pulses, biscuits ) blankets and woolens, cooking utensils, buckets, torches and batteries, umbrellas, basic medicines, water purifier tablets, crutches, candles, lanterns, feeding bottles, rope, old flex banners, mats, sponsorship for sanitary pads & Sujnis.

Collection center details: 1) Address:
                                             Hangers: Clothing & Accessories
                                             Shop number 5, Meera Towers,
                                             Opposite Mega Mall,
                                             New Link Road, Oshiwara,
                                             Andheri (West),
                                            Mumbai 400053.

                                            Timings:
                                            11.30 am to 8.30 pm, Monday to Friday

                                            Telephone:  
                                            09769968658  (Kavita)
                                            26361518

                                          2) Address:
                                            Karma Communications,
                                            Shop number 12, Bhanumathi Cooperative Housing Society,
                                           Bangur Nagar,
                                           Goregaon (West),
                                           Mumbai 400090.

                                           Timings:
                                           Edited: 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday

                                           Contact: indiahelps@gmail.com


Feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments section. The situation is grim. Our fellow citizens need us at a time when they've lost everything--homes, material possessions, and loved ones. Please help as much as you can! We will notify donors on this blog when we stop accepting contributions for this particular effort.


Note: We have partnered with Goonj in previous efforts and trust their work. India Helps is an entirely volunteer-run, good faith initiative. We do not accept ANY part of your contribution for ourselves. Please arrive at your donation decisions independently.

 

Uttarakhand Mumbai Helpline numbers

#Uttarakhand HelpLine numbers - Mumbai : Disaster Management Control Room at Mantralaya :
+91 22 22027990,
+91 22 22816625,
+91 22 22854168.
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

Appeal from Goonj for Uttarakhand relief

In the last 14 years, GOONJ has worked extensively on relief and rehabilitation in a series of disasters. This is an URGENT APPEAL to join GOONJ in its campaign 'RAHAT FLOODS' to provide support. The situation is alarming and millions of people are affected by the devastation.

The first truck load of relief material is starting tomorrow while the relief efforts will continue for the next few months.

Some of the urgent requirements are-

Material- Tarpaulins, mosquito nets, Dry ration ( primarily-rice, pulses, biscuits ) blankets and woolens, cooking utensils, buckets, torch and batteries, umbrellas, basic medicines, water purifier tablets, crutches, candles,lanterns, feeding bottles, rope. Also- Old flex banners, mats, sponsorship for sanitary pads & Sujnis.

Monetary contributions- for logistics and essential purchases. (All monetary contributions are tax exempted u/s 80G) please click below for the easiest option to transfer the money with in India and from outside.

• Directly in the Goonj account - http://goonj.org/?page_id=55/
• Via credit or debit card-  http://goonj.org/?page_id=1656
• For overseas contributions- http://goonj.org/?page_id=834
• You can also drop a cheque/ draft in the name of GOONJ in any HDFC branch or send to GOONJ, J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi-110076, Tel.-011-41401216 with your full name, address, tel no, pan no. for receipt purpose to priyanka@goonj.org

Logistical support- transport - to carry material from Goonj offices to new hubs in the areas and from our other city offices to Delhi which will operate as the central hub, big storage spaces in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata & Jalandhar.

Join the campaign, do spread the word. Use your face book, twitter, e-mail and websites to spread the message..

Write back to mail@goonj.org or call 011- 41401216 / 011-26972351.

We will be updating the status on www.goonj.org and on our face book page http://www.facebook.com/goonj.org regularly.

Let's do our bit!!

With best

Anshu
–
Anshu Gupta
Founder Director
GOONJ..

Fw: Please help our friend Raju

Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

---

From: Deepika Nandal <deepi10586@gmail.com>

Date: Sun, 7 Apr 2013 02:58:51 +0530

To: <indiahelps@gmail.com>

Subject: Please help our friend Raju

Dear Kiran,

I am Deepika Nandal and I work for New Woman magazine. I learned about India Helps from my editor. Actually, I need your help. My dear classmate Nagaraju K (we studied together in a J-school in Bangalore) has been diagnosed with cancer. 

He has to sit for 10 Chemotherapy sessions and each will cost him 40,000 Rs. Have attached his report with this mail. He used to work as a correspondent and is an artist too. He is an extremely humble person and lives in Hyderabad. Nagaraju's best friend, Bansi, mailed us classmates about his condition. It would be great favour if India Helps could save his life. His FB profile: https://www.facebook.com/nagaraju.koppula?fref=ts. Will pass you his number tomorrow. 

Below is Bansi Mehta's mail and Nagarju's account details as well. Let me know if you need anything else.  

Thanks a tonne,

Deepika Nandal

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: bansi mehta <bansimehta15@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Subject: Please help our friend Raju
To: iijnm-2010@googlegroups.com

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all are doing great! I am sorry to share this with you guys but I need your help ASAP. Unfortunately, our dear friend Nagaraju has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. 

It all started in late November when Raju got diagnosed with Pneumonia followed by TB. As you all know that he comes from a very humble background so he was on D.O.T.S program run by Indian government in which they offer free TB medicines to patients.  After nearly three months of that medication, his health did not seem to have improved and twice doctors had to drain out fluid from his lungs or areas adjacent to lungs. Last week he was asked to undergo biopsy after which the findings said, "adenocarcinoma". The type that he has is common amongst non-smokers. The reports claim that he did not have TB but lung cancer.

The doctor's have also said that it is an advanced stage of cancer and depending on his current condition he has six months period for any possible treatment. Our friend Raju is in need for financial assistace as in order to take quick action he needs to begin chemotherapy sessions from April 10. He has to take six cycles in the span of six months and after his body reacts to first three cycles the doctors will asses his health condition accordingly. With every cycle costing about Rs 40,000 and considering other living, medicine and diet expense we need to gather approx Rs 4 lakh. 

I humbly request to each one of you to come forward and help our friend Raju with any amount possible. Also, if you know of any charitable institution or know person who wants to volunteer to help please let me know. I can forward them his scanned reports for verification process. As we are in urgent need of cash , I have mentioned below his bank details to carry out NEFT. I have also mentioned his home address. Also if you guys know any renowned Oncologist who would volunteer to give second opinion, I can forward his reports to them too.

Currently, Raju is in Hyderabad staying in his friend's hostel and making rounds of government hospital daily. He has given his regards to all of you!

I have attached his reports.

THANK YOU all for your support. I will keep updating about his health condition. I really hope and pray he gets well soon. Looking forward for your support guys. Thanks again.

Name: K Nagaraju, A/C No: 31557927984, Bank: SBI, Sarapaka Branch, IFSC Code: SBIN0006113

Postal Address:
K. Nagaraju C/O R. Eswaraiah, H No. 5-6, Gandhinagar,  Sarapaka post,Burgamphad mandal, Khammam district, AP,  Pin 507128

--

Best

Bansi Mehta
5109821712

Fremont, CA

--
--
Keep in touch
Team IIJNM 2010
 
 

Appeal for funds for a surgery

Received this appeal from a friend:
ubject: [Iyer123] Kerala Iyers Trust - Help Reqd: Medical Treatment - Vijaya Ramesh, Tvm
Reply-To: Ramaprasad Subramaniam <ramsap@yahoo.com>

 

Dear Friends,

Kerala Iyers Trust (KIT) has received an appeal requesting support for medical treatment of Smt.Vijaya Ramesh, 46, of Trivandrum.KIT Volunteer, S Narayanaswami, visited the family and provided us with a field visit report and his recommendations.

Quick Summary:

Sri. Ramesh (48) is a taxi driver who earns just enough to feed his family and one can imagine how difficult it is nowadays to take care of a four-member family. He has his wife Smt. Vijaya and 2 kids - studying in 11th and 2nd standard. Like any other parents, this couple also has pinned a lot of hopes on their kids and they also know that ensuring a secure and bright future for their children depends solely on giving them education to the maximum extent possible.

Both Ramesh and Vijaya toil for long hours without any reluctance. Smt Vijaya started working as a home assistant / part time cook in a few Brahmin households in the city. Mr. Ramesh goes on trip calls as and when it comes and Smt. Vijaya does her routine rounds every day in the morning. The family lives in a small house at Palkulangara. It is a rented house.

But, Smt. Vijaya had a neck problem in March 2012. Though it was initially dismissed as strain, it kept aggrevating and later an MRI scan was done and it was found that there is a grave problem in the vein adjacent to the spinal cord and the doctor opined that she should undergo an emergency surgery which is essential to save her from permanent disability. The initial procedure was done with the support of friends and family members. Unfortunately by the time it was done Smt. Vijaya's left leg had got paralyzed due to the impact of the problem.

This came to KIT's attention and after due diligence, with all your support - KIT provided funds for her treatment by paying Rs.75000 in April 2012.

Come December 2012...

The family's relief was short-lived. Vijaya started having pain again and was diagnosed to be very close to partial paralysis. The family which was slowly limping back to normalcy is again under pressure now.

In December 2012, due to acute pain, Vijaya was admitted to the hospital again. After thorough check up, doctors reported that she's suffering from cervical disectomy (Doctor Letter is with KIT records) and for that one more corrective surgery is a must, that too to be done at the earliest. Specialist Doctors reported that Vijaya's case is very unfortunate as she's suffering from cervical disectomy, weakening of bones. But it can be set right with a sophisticated surgery for which, it costs around 1.5 lakhs.

It's really very ill-timed and unbearable for Vijaya's family. While the family is slowly returning to normal life, this second treatment course cannot be even imagined by them. It's really a pathetic situation for them. All their known sources of support have already been channelized for the 1st phase. Now, the family is really shaken and is left isolated due to the present situation.

Vijaya has been advised to go in for another surgery which, it is hoped, will bring her back to an active life.

===========================================

What KIT found:

Sri Chitra Thirunal hospital offers the same surgery at about 75% rate (disc is costly) of which the private hospital estimated, but the other expenses have to be borne by the family. Here SCT will consider the patients on a priority basis, it is impossible to get the date of surgery in short time. Moreover the doctor who is handing her case presently has offered to do the surgery without his fee. This has decided them in favour of continuing the treatment at the private hospital itself.

Vijaya is fully aware of the uncertainties of life. But her misfortunes have made her realize that there is one certain thing she can bank on: the milk of human kindness. Helping hands are indeed the silver lining in her dark clouds. When she fell ill the first time, many had come forward to help her. With the relapse she suffered, Vijaya is being forced to appeal to those kind hearts once again.

KIT found this case a very genuine & deserving one and decided to support part of Smt.Vijaya Ramesh's treatment. Accordingly, Rs.1 Lakh is to be raised to support this case.

============================================

How to send your contributions:

You may please send in your contribution either as a cheque or as a direct electronic bank transfer. As you know, Kerala Iyers Trust does NOT spend any of your contributions towards its expenses or any other costs. Every single paisa will go to the beneficiary.

Members interested in supporting this family may send in their contributions to:

a) Electronic Bank Transfer maybe done in favour of:

Contributions from WITHIN India:

Account Name Kerala Iyers Trust
Account No 24140100004015
Bank Name BANK OF BARODA
Branch POWAI, MUMBAI
MICR Code 400012091
Account Type SAVINGS ACCOUNT

IFSC Code : BARB0POWBOM

BARB stands for Bank of Baroda - then there is 0 (zero) POWBOM stands for Powai, Bombay

Contributions from Overseas in Foreign Currency ONLY:

Account Name Kerala Iyers Trust
Account No 24140100007073
Bank Name BANK OF BARODA
Branch POWAI, MUMBAI
SWIFT Code BARBIN BBSAK

MICR Code 400012005
Account Type SAVINGS ACCOUNT
IFSC Code : BARB 0POWBOM

BARB stands for Bank of Baroda - then there is 0 (zero) POWBOM stands for Powai, Bombay

BSR code : 0202414

b) DD / Cheques to be in favour of "Kerala Iyers Trust" (Please note the NEW ADDRESS in Bangalore)

Kerala Iyers Trust
C/O.Dr.Kasi Viswanathan,
431, E- Main, 12th Cross, Near National Public School.
2nd Phase, Ideal Homes, Rajarajeswary Nagar,
Bangalore - 560098

Tel # +91 93248 03392

It would be great if you could drop us a line so that we could track with the bank.

Please note that you will get Tax benefit in India for the contributions you make to the Kerala Iyers Trust. If you want a receipt to be sent to you for this purpose, please do let us know your postal address too.

Thanks n' regards

Ramaprasad Subramaniam, for KIT

Funds required for a five year old boy to help him regain his vision

A request for funds to help a five year old boy regain his vision through treatment at Kerala's Sreedhareeyam:

Dear Kiran,

As spoken to you, here are the details of the case:
Name: Trushal Shailesh Gore (age 5 years)
Resident of: Goregaon West, Mumbai
Issue: Premature baby born at eight months. After delivery on 7th day he got some severe dehydration and convulsions. Subsequently has defective vision in both eyes. The diagnosis is Optic Atrophy. His father has been taking him to Kerala at Sreedhareeyam for treatment twice a year - once in June and second in Nov.
Expense: Their total expense annually is Rs. 75,000 towards the hospital fees and they were hoping if someone could contribute towards it. These are hospital fees and the cheques can be drawn in the hospital's name. The travel & stay expenses the family will manage. The cheque could be in this name: Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital And Research Centre
I have verified the case. Do let me know if he can be helped. Thanks a ton!

Regards
Priyanka

Please do mail us at indiahelps@gmail.com if you would like to help Trushal.

Appeal to raise funds for Ummeed

I received this appeal from noted journalist and columnist Dilip
D'Souza. If you do decide to contribute, please do let Dilip know at
@DeathEndsFun on twitter. Thank you.


January 3 2013

Dear Kiran,

I'm part of a fundraising effort for an organization called Ummeed.
I'm doing this because I have a personal interest in this: our
daughter Surabhi (now nearly 9) is dyslexic and Ummeed has been a
great help to us in diagnosis, treatment and advice. While I'm
naturally anxious about how she will cope, Ummeed is the reason I'm
confident that she will.

And this is why I think Ummeed's work is important. And yet they reach
only a fraction of all the children in Bombay with developmental
disabilities: the need, as ever, outstrips the capacity to serve it.
And this is why I signed up to do this fundraiser for Ummeed.

Admittedly I'm no good at this. I've never done it before. I mean,
I've never run/walked/biked/cartwheeled for a cause before, I've never
asked for pledges/donations like this before, and I've never walked
55km on a beach in one day before. (About 45 km one day through the
forests of Madagascar, but that's a story for another day).

But I'm doing all that now. With some 20-25 others, I'm going to walk
up and down the 27km+ length of a Goa beach -- totalling about 55km --
on January 12 2013.

So it's this simple: I need your support to help me complete that
trek. I need your support to help Ummeed in its work. I'd be grateful
for pledges/donations in any amount at all. And if you contribute, I
promise to carry your name on a small label on my person. (I've
stocked up on pins).

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks so much.

cheers,
dilip.

--

PS: Your contribution is tax-deductible. Please make your check out to
Ummeed Child Development Center and mail it to Ummeed, 1-B, 1/62,
Mantri Pride Building, N. M. Joshi Marg, Near Chinchpokli Station
(W), Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 011. And please let me know.

PS #2: This link allows online donations:
http://www.giveindia.org/iGive-wwwgiveindiaorgUmmeedCDC

PS #3: Some details about Ummeed:
It was started by an old friend, Vibha Krishnamurthy, to work with
children with developmental disabilities (which is her
specialization). In the past year Ummeed has provided direct services
to over 1000 families of such children. Their goal has always been to
create best practices, and also work on advocacy, research, and
sharing their knowledge through training.

Some Ummeed highlights of the past year:

* They established a brand new social work team to serve low-income
families, including educating them about the rights of children with
developmental disabilities and taking patient advocacy to another
level.

* They benefited thousands of children indirectly by training staff of
eight organizations to work with children with developmental
disabilities and their families through their Child Development Aide
(CDA) program and Mental Health training program.

* They also ran several shorter training programs for schools and NGOs
working with children at risk for disabilities.

However, there are still so many children and families with little or
no access to care. Ummeed remains committed to reaching out to them in
different ways.