Have You Gone MAD Today?

MAD Club - List of Contents

2008-09-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

(Click on the links below to be directed to your page of interest)

List of MAD Projects

Type A: Group Projects (GP)

GP 1: International Blanket Day (IBD) / World Blanket Day (WBD)

GP 2: PHP - People Helping People

GP 3: Tsunami Relief

GP 4: Pakistan-India Earthquake Relief

Type B: Individual Projects (IP)

IP 1: ASAD - A Smile A Day

MAD Club "Game 18"

IP 2: WWTO - Walk With The Old

IP 3: DYO - Donate your Organs

IP 4: DBBTTB - Don't Be Blind To The Blind

IP 5: LUBKTOA - Let Us Be Kind To Our Animals

IP 6: Adoption

FAQs on Adoption

IP 7: WANAYA - We're As Normal As You Are

IP 8: GC - Gain Confidence

IP 9: Appeal from SHM

Type C: Emergency Appeals (EA)

EA 1: Save Sukriti

EA 2: Please Help This Young Doctor

EA 3: Save Kanisha

EA 4: Spare a prayer for Preeti

EA 5: A Child Needs You

Other MAD Links

MAD Heroes

Dr Manorama and CHES

Making A Difference

Appeal for Aid

About the MAD Club

Have you Gone Mad Today?

MAD Club - The Charter

World Blanket Day

2008-08-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

"International Blanket Day" is now rechristened "World Blanket Day"!

International Blanket Day 2007

2007-12-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

Do you fear the possible impact of "Global Warming"? I do too. But for millions of people around the world, it is not global warming they fear most - it is the winter cold.

The storms and the sharp cold, which have penetrated the most comfortable of our homes, and made us, in all our wrappers and mufflers, shiver through the streets, have started fallen on the broken shanties and leaky rooms of the poor. Children, half clothed, are struggling to survive.

While most of us have already stitched our beautiful woollen quilts and purchased the furry blankets which tempt us to stay in bed till late in the morning, let us not forget the poor souls who cover themselves with the frost of the season and the agonies accompanying it. A minor contribution from our side can make a major impact in their lives this winter.

International Blanket Day (IBD) started in the winter of 2001 in memory of a great humanitarian who used to silently distribute hundreds of blankets to the poor people of Calcutta every winter. It was in his memory that 9th December, the date of his passing away, was established, first as "National Blanket Day" and subsequently, in 2004, as "International Blanket Day". From a modest beginning in a classroom in Ahmedabad, the effort has slowly but surely been gaining acceptance across boundaries and borders. Details of IBD 2004 are available at madclub.blogspot.com. IBD 2005, which was dedicated to the survivors of the devastating Pakistan-India earthquake, saw a net collection of US$ 4,375 which was utilized towards earthquake relief.

Your contribution could be as simple as donating a blanket or some warm clothes to a needy person this winter. For any help / suggestions, please contact blanketday@yahoo.com and we will revert ASAP. We would also request that each of you who makes a donation or organizes a "mini collection drive" informs us of his / her contribution by sending an email to blanketday@yahoo.com. This will help us keep track of the impact of the movement.

Come on, lets make a difference!!!

Team International Blanket Day

International Blanket Day 2006

2006-11-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

Yet another winter is upon us. And while some of us more privileged ones are looking forward to the season of snow and holidays and cozy pullovers and a "nip in the air", there are millions of people who live near our own homes and who shiver for hours on end until they fall asleep on a cold pavement under an open sky. But for the grace of God, these people could be Us. The impoverished homeless families huddled silently together under the unforgiving open sky every night could so easily have been You and Me and Our Families. This population does live outside our homes, but let them not live outside our hearts. The pavement they have made their bed is cold, but maybe some warmth from our side can help lessen this cold. This large population is only getting larger, year by year, day by day. Whatever we can do may not solve all their problems, but no effort is ever too little.

As our contribution to minimize the impact of the ravages of the winter of 2006, the MAD Club hereby launches International Blanket Day 2006 (IBD 2006).

International Blanket Day started in the winter of 2001 in memory of a great humanitarian who used to silently distribute hundreds of blankets to the poor people of Calcutta every winter. It was in his memory that 9th December, the date of his passing away, was established, first as "National Blanket Day" and subsequently, in 2004, as "International Blanket Day". From a modest beginning in a classroom in Ahmedabad, the effort has slowly but surely been gaining acceptance across boundaries and borders. Details of IBD 2004 are available here and here. IBD 2005, which was dedicated to the survivors of the devastating Pakistan-India earthquake, saw a net collection of US$ 4,375 which was utilized towards earthquake relief. Further details of IBD 2005 are available here and here.

But all these efforts have just been tiny drops in an infinite ocean. Friends, the journey for providing succour and relief to our fellow brothers and sisters is not a short journey, and the road is not always easy. We seek the blessings and active assistance of all of you in our modest attempts to truly make a difference.

IBD 2006 has no theme. All we request is that you try and donate something to the poor of your neighbourhood which would help them survive the winter of 2006. It could be clothes, blankets, or funds to buy the same. Second-hand clothes and blankets are also useful provided they are clean. You could rope in your friends / family / neighbours / classmates / professional colleagues to form teams and decide how best you could collectively make a difference.

For any help / suggestions, please contact blanketday@yahoo.com and we will revert ASAP. We would also request that each of you who makes a donation / organizes a "mini collection drive" informs us of his / her contribution by sending an email to blanketday@yahoo.com. This will help us keep track of the impact of the movement.

So come. Join us in celebrating December 9th as International Blanket Day.

And let us Make A Difference. Together.

2005-12-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL BLANKET DAY 2005 !!!!

IBD2005 Update

2005-11-10T04:49:00.000-08:00

As on 9th Nov 2005, IBD2005 has raised over Indian Rupees One Lakh and Twenty Five Thousand for the J&K earthquake victims.

This figure translates to 2,500 blankets @ Rs. 50 per blanket.

On behalf of all the beneficiaries in the quake stricken areas, and from all of us in Team IBD2005, here is a very sincere and heartfelt THANK YOU to all the donors.

We strongly encourage you to continue your individual / group fund-raising efforts. Please email blanketday@yahoo.com with details of your collection / contribution efforts. We will respect your request for anonymity.

Here are details of some of the genuine NGOs and relief agencies which we support and which are playing a crucial role in the relief and rehabilitation work in J&K.

Remember, no amount is too small and no effort too little.

Pakistan-India Earthquake : Master List of Aid Agencies

2005-10-19T00:08:00.000-07:00

Note 1 : The following lists will be updated periodically. Please keep checking to avail the latest information and updates.

Note 2 : Check http://quakehelp.blogspot.com (from the Tsunami-related SEA-EAT blog team) for continuous updates.

Note 3 : First timers please read the previous post before proceeding.

++++++++

You can select your preferred Aid Agency / NGO according to the following listing :

A. DONATING MATERIALS TO INDIAN AFFECTED AREAS
B. DONATING MATERIALS TO PAKISTANI AFFECTED AREAS
C. DONATING FUNDS TO INDIAN AFFECTED AREAS
D. DONATING FUNDS TO PAKISTANI AFFECTED AREAS

A. DONATING MATERIALS TO INDIAN AFFECTED AREAS

The materials could be Clothes, Blankets, Footwear, Medicines etc.

1. Rotary Club of Hyderabad

Person Spoken To : Mr. Sanjay Khendry of Rotary Club of Hyderabad East

They are doing relief work in the Indian affected areas. They may be willing to collect materials from a central location, but they would prefer that donors courier the materials directly to the Rotary Club units working in J&K. Further details will be available soon.

Contact Details :

Rotary Club of India URL : http://www.rotaryindia.net/

All Rotary Club Details : http://www.rccentralcal.org/link_below.html

Rotary Club of Hyderabad :
Flat No.403 D No.3-5-798 Pratima Apts.
Opp. Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan
King Kothi Road
Hyderabad-195
Tel. 040-23243101

Rotary Club of Hyderabad East :
Mr. Sanjay Khendry
Email: skhendry@Rotary3150.org
Phone: +91 40 5543 6299

2. Indian Red Cross Society

Person Spoken To : Mr. Satish (040-23221748)

They prefer new materials. If the materials are old they should be clean, washed and ironed. They will revert soon on whether they can arrange for pickup from a central location.

Contact details :

Indian Red Cross URL : http://www.indianredcross.org/south-india.html

IFRC India URL : http://www.ifrc.org/where/country/cn6.asp?countryid=84

Andhra Pradesh State Branch
Indian Red Cross Society,Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad-500041
Contact numbers : 040-23221748, 23260201

Online donation : http://donate.ifrc.org

3. Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) (Working through FOCUS)

Person Spoken To : Mr. Sarfaraz (022-23001726)

The immediate requirement is for winterized tents. They are collecting clothes and blankets also, but they prefer donation of funds for various reasons. Donors will get 50% tax exemption. Right now, they have sent 1000 blankets and have not yet started the next round of blanket collection, but will do so soon. For clothes, they do not want old / used clothes, they only want new clothes – but again, they prefer cash donations for reasons mentioned elsewhere in this post.

Contact details :

AKDN URL : www.akdn.org

FOCUS URL : http://www.akdn.org/focus/index.html#contacts

AKDN Mumbai
INDIA
Focus Humanitarian Assistance, India
4th Floor, Warden Building, 340, Sir J.J. Road,
Byculla, Mumbai 400 008
India
Tel: + 91 222 300 1726 /1749
Fax: +91 22 2300 1792

4. Action Aid

Here is a letter from Action Aid (Srinagar) :

(Reference http://pakistan.wikicities.com/wiki/Earthquake_10-05_in_India)

Dear Friend,

If you live anywhere in India here is one way that you can help, in your own small way, the suffering victims of the recent earthquake in Kashmir:

You can collect or buy warm clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, sheets etc [in good condition please] from friends and relatives and then arrange to send them by truck/road transport to Kashmir [which will be cheaper, although less fast, than courier]. Please note that all this material should be in GOOD condition, and not torn or unusable. Please do NOT send dirty, torn or very old and fraying material.

Think of the thousands of people suffering in Kashmir with severe winter now approaching.

You could send them to my friend Arjimand Hussain, who heads Action Aid in Kashmir, who will arrange to distribute them in affected villages in Kupwara and Baramulla. The parcel [s] should be addressed to:

Arjimand Hussain
Action Aid
H-12 Cooperative Colony
Peerbagh
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir
Cell no: (0)9419004521
(Res): 0191-2476367

Regards, and in solidarity,

Yoginder Sikand

B. DONATING MATERIALS TO PAKISTANI AFFECTED AREAS

The materials could be Clothes, Blankets, Footwear, Medicines etc.

1. Edhi Foundation

Contact details : http://www.contactpakistan.com/socialwork/Edhi/Intloffice.htm

2. Association for the Development of Pakistan (ADP)

(Working with the Edhi Foundation)

Contact details : http://www.developpakistan.org/Default.aspx?tabid=149

3. Insanity Works Blog

URL : http://www.insanityworks.org/earthquake_relief.html

This has links to sites for donating goods, money, blood units and volunteering :

Goods : http://www.insanityworks.org/earthquake_relief--goods.html

Money : http://www.insanityworks.org/earthquake_relief--money.html

Blood units : http://www.insanityworks.org/earthquake_relief--blood.html

Volunteering : http://www.insanityworks.org/earthquake_relief--volunteer.html

4. Pakistan Medical Association

Refer http://madclub.blogspot.com/2005/10/pakistan-india-earthquake-pakistan.html

C. DONATING FUNDS TO INDIAN AFFECTED AREAS

The funds could be in the form of Cash, Cheque, Money Order, DD, Online or e-Deposit.

1. PM's National Relief Fund

Checks/Money Orders should be drawn in favor of "Prime Minister's National Relief Fund" and can be sent to any one of the following addresses:

Prime Minister's Office
New Delhi 110011
India

OR

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
Embassy of India
Attn: Head of Chancery
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

For details on contributing Online or via e-Deposit, and for more information on PM's National Relief Fund Website, visit : http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm.

See also : http://pakistan.wikicities.com/wiki/Earthquake_10-05_in_India

2. UNICEF

Person Spoken To : Mr. Prasad of UNICEF Hyderabad office

For earthquake relief, UNICEF is only collecting funds. For donating materials, they recommend the Red Cross.

Contact details :

URL : http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/india_india_contact.html

Hyderabad Field Office Mail address :
United Nations Children's Fund
"Gulmarg"
D. No. 865
Street No. 19, Himayathnagar
Hyderabad 500 029
Andhra Pradesh, India
Tel.: 040- 23227236 / 23227226 / 23227328 / 23227335
Email : Hyderabad@unicef.org

3. Eficor

Person Spoken To : Ms. Sheela George (+91-11-25516383)

Eficor is not accepting materials. They are accepting donations. Donation can be in any of the following two ways:

a. Online donation

Go to : http://eficor.org/ ==> Get Involved ==> Donate ==> India

ICICI branch EFICOR account No: 008701018157 Janakpuri Branch

After donation, please send a confirmatory email (mentioning your postal address) to eficorhq@vsnl.com or info@eficor.com. They will send you the receipt & ATG relief form by post.

b. Donation by post

Make your Cheque or Demand Drafts drawn in favor of "EFICOR, New Delhi".

Contact details:

URL http://eficor.org

Postal address:
EFICOR
308 Mahatta Tower
B Block Community Centre
Janakpuri
New Delhi 110 058
Telefax +91-11-25516383/4/5
Email: eficorhq@vsnl.com / info@eficor.com

4. Chinar (Child Nurture and Relief)

Donation details URL : http://www.chinar.org/appeal.htm

5. AID India

Refer http://madclub.blogspot.com/2005/10/pakistan-india-earthquake-aid-india.html

D. DONATING FUNDS TO PAKISTANI AFFECTED AREAS

The funds could be in the form of Cash, Cheque, Money Order, DD, Online or e-Deposit.

1. Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps URL : http://www.mercycorps.org

Online donation URL : http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/emergencies/910

2. Hidaya Foundation

Hidaya Foundation URL : http://www.hidaya.org

Online donation URL : https://donation.hidaya.org/donation.aspx?projectId=66

Zakat-ul-Mal Online donation URL : https://donation.hidaya.org/donation.aspx?projectId=40

3. Oxfam

Online donation URL : http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/give_to_oxfam/donate/asian_quake.htm

Oxfam International URL : http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/emergencies/country/asian_quake/index.htm

Oxfam India URL : http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/where_we_work/india/index.htm

Pakistan-India Earthquake : Important Note

2005-10-19T00:04:00.000-07:00

IMPORTANT : ALL POTENTIAL DONORS ARE REQUESTED TO PLEASE READ THIS NOTE

Perspective

Most NGOs have not yet been able to access the affected areas.

Of the few who have, most are not accepting materials. They prefer money donations because :

Organizing the collection, sorting, fumigation, loading and dispatch of the materials is very difficult for them as it needs full-time workers. It is also time consuming and delays the relief work. For instance, the journey from Mumbai to the affected areas by road is 6 days! Hence they need to airlift the materials, which again is very costly and difficult to organize.
They find it logistically much easier and more practical to use the money to buy the materials directly in and near the affected areas. Plus they can collect everyone's money and buy in bulk, which gives them a bulk discount, which you and I cannot avail individually.
They mostly need new blankets, clothes etc. Not used ones. So they prefer not to accept our second hand materials and instead prefer to use our donations to buy new materials themselves.
What we donate may be very different from what is actually needed on the ground. For instance, most of the victims are Pathans and Punjabis who would wear a specific kind of attire – so all the t-shirts, frocks and saris sent there will end up being wasted. Thus, because of local & cultural factors, most non-cash donations end up being unused.
Cash donations enable the NGOs to buy exactly what is really needed, e.g. winterized tents, specifically required medicines.
Local sourcing (i.e. buying material from the affected areas) also gives a boost to the local economy.

How can you help?

The best way to help is by personally volunteering to work with a reliable NGO or aid agency, and working either onsite or offsite.
If (1) is not possible, clearly the next best option is to donate funds. Read the note on Perspective above to understand why.
If (2) is also not possible and you are intent on donating materials (clothes, blankets, footwear, medicines etc.), please try and buy new ones instead of old / used ones. Ask your NGO what kind of clothes you should buy - e.g. salwar kameez and pathani suits would be more useful than t-shirts, jeans, frocks and saris.
If (3) is also not possible and you wish to donate old / used material, please confirm with your NGO if they will accept it if it is washed & ironed.

International Blanket Day 2005

2005-10-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

Two million homeless people face a harsh winter – The Guardian

Government acknowledges dire need for blankets in quake affected areas - BBC

Cold kills hundreds in South Asia last winter - BBC

Dear friends

It is that time of the year when 90% of the population of extensive parts of South Asia – from the malnourished beggar, to the debt-ridden small-time farmer; from the poor girl child, to the wafer-thin lady who works as a manual laborer; from the residents of slums and shanties, to those whose beds adorn the pavements of frozen roads – start feeling the first pangs of biting cold.

It is mid October, the unwelcome month which heralds the arrival of yet another harsh unforgiving winter in North India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and neighboring areas.

And this year will be worse. Immeasurably so. For this year, it is not just the above mentioned who will suffer – it will also be people who “normally” would never have experienced such cold, but who, in the Winter of 2005, will. These are the victims of the tragic Pakistan-India earthquake which has left millions homeless and without shelter from the fury of Mother Nature.

To quote from here:

“For thousands of survivors of Pakistan's worst-ever natural disaster, the misery continues.

“Most spent a shivering fourth night in the open, too afraid to use what is left of their damaged houses amid the ruins of a catastrophe that has left at least 23,000 dead in Pakistan and some 2.5 million homeless.

"The lucky ones managed to find themselves blankets and some even tents to protect against the cold. Others made do with pieces of cardboard and slept between mounds of rubble on the pavements.

"All emerged from the freezing night to find that snow had fallen on the peaks surrounding the once-picturesque Kashmiri city.

" 'That was the fourth night we slept in the open,' said Khurshid Bibi, pointing to her family of 15 camped on the roadside outside their collapsed house in Gulshan street. 'We were very, very cold. We need tents and blankets.'

"During Tuesday's rain they had sheltered in the only room left standing of their home, but they had been afraid it would collapse.

" 'It's hard living on the street. My mother is very ill.' "

Need one say more?

In light of this devastating tragedy, the MAD Club launches International Blanket Day 2005 (IBD2005). But with a difference!

The objective of IBD2005 is : "To help the survivors of the Pakistan-India earthquake survive the harsh winter of 2005-06. And thereby to help them rebuild their lives, one small step at a time".

The modus operandi of IBD2005 is going to be different from IBD2001 – IBD2004. For the first time in its 5-year existence, IBD2005 is going to steer away from its core theme of “individual donations” and is going to focus on the modus operandi of “mini collection drives” - albeit individually organized. Why? Because, when dealing with devastation of this magnitude, individuals just do not have the time, money, energy and resources to individually make a noticeable difference to the large number of survivors. But collectively, working together under focused direction in a cohesive and systematic manner, they can move mountains.

It’s basic mathematics : In times of such international crises, 1 = 1, but 1 + 1 = 11!

So this time, the onus is on each individual - on each one of us - not just to donate on our own, but to organize "mini collection drives" and thereby get others to donate too!

The Process for IBD2005

Each person (henceforth referred to as "contributor") would buy a blanket. In case the contributor cannot afford a new blanket, he or she is welcome to donate an old blanket.
Other items which can be collected, and which would be very useful, are:
a. Warm clothes (sweaters, cardigans, scarves, socks, shawls ... )
b. Any other clothes (shirts, trousers, kurtas, lungis ... )
c. Footwear (slippers, shoes ... )
d. Medicines (sample list given here)
e. School or tuition fees, study books or materials (note pads, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, geometry boxes, pencil boxes, school bags ... )
f. Money
Once the contributor has collected his/her share of the above, he/she will then organize "mini collection drives" to gather as much of the above material as possible. Some target groups among which these drives can be organized are:
a. Family
b. Friends
c. Neighbourhoods / building societies
d. Schools
e. Colleges
f. Workplaces
g. Other groups - Internet acquaintances, NGOs you may know, friendly govt organizations, libraries, clubs etc.
Please collect as much of the above as you can buy / spare, both through your individual efforts as well as through your "mini collection drives".
We will shortly provide city-wise details of who to contact for handing over the material you have collected.

At the end of the day, there should be just that extra bit of warmth and happiness in this increasingly cold and frosty world of ours.

How can you help?

The dream is very lofty. The resources are very scarce.

You can help immeasurably simply by participating.

You can help even more if your answer to any of the following questions is a "Yes":

Do you have family, friends and acquaintances with who you can share this message? Do you know people who are willing and able to create a warmer and happier world?
Can you get together with your friends on any Sunday or half holiday, and organize a "mini collection drive" on your own? It will not take more than a few hours, and trust me, the kick you will experience is not worth missing!
Is your academic institute or workplace willing to undertake a "mini collection drive" for earthquake relief?
Do you have ideas or recommendations or contacts for spreading news of this request to the maximum number of people? Any and all suggestions are most welcome.
And finally, is anyone interested in volunteering to join Team International Blanket Day 2005 (TIBD2005)? Based on the level of your participation, we will assign TIBD Coordinators for your school / college / organization / locality / city / country.
(List of last year's coordinators given here).

If you have answered a "Yes" to any of the above, and if you are willing to participate, please email blanketday@yahoo.com. Please mention your name and city / country of residence. All your inputs, feedback, suggestions, ideas, queries, clarifications and offers to help will be keenly appreciated. We promise to revert ASAP.

We also request that each of you who makes a donation / organizes a "mini collection drive" informs us of his / her contribution by sending an email to blanketday@yahoo.com. This will help us keep track of the impact of the movement.

So come. Join us in celebrating December 9th as International Blanket Day.

And let us Make A Difference. Together.

Related Posts

IBD 2004 : Details of Project International Blanket Day 2004 are here
IBD 2004 : Details of Team International Blanket Day 2004 are here
To help in Pakistan Quake Relief, click here
To help in India Quake Relief, click here

Pakistan-India Earthquake : Aid India

2005-10-12T06:32:00.000-07:00

Letter from Aid India:

Dear Friends,

As you know a huge earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck Muzaffarabad region of Pakistan on 8th October. This earthquake is bigger than the Gujarat earthquake. A large part of Pakistan and Kashmir was badly affected. 800 people in Kashmir are dead and more than 2400 are injured. Pakistan has suffered a major loss of life - more than 40000 people have died. Indian and Pakistan governments are working together to speed up relief operations.Many more people are injured and still buried under the debris.

We are in touch with a number of groups working on basic relief in both India and Pakistan. There is a lot of urgent help that is needed by these organizations. At this point, we are collecting funds from all over India and relief materials at Delhi. Volunteer doctors and medical supplies are needed to work in Kashmir. Warm clothing, tents and make-shift shelter arrangements are also needed urgently.

Because of the transportation problems involved - at this stage - we are NOT collecting relief materials in Chennai, Mumbai, etc. The relief materials are being collected only at Delhi. Please contact Anuj Grover -0-98182-48459 - if you want to donate relief materials.

Relief materials will be sent to:

1.Kashmir valley: through the The Servants of the People Society which is starting relief work in Baramula. Their trucks are leaving from New Delhi on the 13th. Contact person: Dr Satya Paulji (0 98111 12705) or Mani (011-2642 7650).

2. Pakistan: through the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace & Democracy(PIPFPD) which is collecting relief supplies in Delhi and will be transporting it to Pakistan.

Apart from relief supplies, we also need a lot of funds. There are several organizations in both India and Pakistan that we are in touch with who require financial support for their relief and rehabilitation work. We have set up a special fund for this purpose in AID-INDIA: "Indo-Pak Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Fund".

We request you to donate generously and also to collect funds from your friends and colleagues for the Earthquake relief. All donations can be made by cheques payable to "AID-INDIA" and marked or with an attached letter for "Indo-Pak Earthquake Relief".

If you are in Delhi, please make a cheque to "AID-INDIA" and contact Anuj Grover: 0-98182-48459.

In Bangalore, please make cheque to "AID-INDIA" and contact Aradhana:0-98455-37269.

If you are in Mumbai, please contact T. Shankar: 0-98208-06127, Om Damani: 9323003401

If you are in Chennai or anywhere else, please post your cheques to:

AID-INDIA
New No 34, II Floor, Rathenam Street
Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600086
Phone: 044-28350403, 94440-61033
email: aid.info@gmail.com

Please forward this information to other friends who would be interested in helping the earthquake victims.

Thanks.
Balaji Sampath

Note: Please note that due to logistic issues, we are not collecting any goods but just the funds. Please feel free to contact us with suggestions. Please forward it to others who may be interested.

Pakistan - India Earthquake : Pakistan Medical Association

2005-10-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

A letter from Dr. Shafaq Yusuf of Karachi, Pakistan :

Dear friends

As you all know very well that disaster in its worst form ever has hit South Asia. Pakistan's Azad Kashmir is the worst hit area. Over 41,00 people according to unofficial reports have died – and there are areas still inaccessible where thousands of people buried under the rubble have not been counted in the official death toll as yet. We do not yet know what the final death toll would be.

The number of injured people is still greater. And due to after shocks, the hospitals have been evacuated as well. Patients are lying on the grounds. Doctors and other rescuers have been working non stop for over 50 hours. Dead bodies have started to rot, and epidemics may start to spread soon if action is not taken promptly.

People all over the country have stood up to the task, and everyone is doing their level best to help the victims.

This fax was sent today in the morning regarding the things that are needed according to one organization working in the Mansehra area. Of course the requirements given below are not sufficient to meet the needs of all the places affected, but still it is quite a lot, and these medicines and other materials are immediately needed. I request you to send as much help as you can, in whatever form, to us.

Kindly donate generously, because no one knows who might be needing help next.

May God bless those who have been affected,and help us all.

Dr. Shafaq Yusuf

PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (PMA)

Postal Address to send medicines / supplies / outstation cheques:
PMA House, Sir Aga Khan III Road, Garden East, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel. No. : +92-21-2251159

Bank A/C Details for DD/Cheques:
C/O PMA House, Habib Bank SDV Branch Acc. No. 423-59

LIST OF IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS

Note 1 : Please do not give medicines which have crossed the expiry date.

Note 2 : Please do not give empty or used medicines.

Spirit - 100 litre
Dettol - 50 litres
Cap.Amoxil 500 mg - 1000
Inj. Ampiclox 500 mg - 1000
Inj Velosef 500 mg - 1000
Inj Volium - 500
Inj Anjinox - 1000
Tab. Ponstan Forte - 1000
Tab. Pontstan Plane - 500
Feldiene - 1000
Aminophylin - 500
Vetoline solution - 100
Tab. Ventoline - 1000
D/syringes 10cc
Inj Adrenaline - 500
Inj Atropin - 500
Inj Solucortif - 500
I/V Canula 20,224,186,166 size - 200
Inj Haemacel 500 ml - 1000
Surgical gloves - 1500
D/gloves
Food items
Oxygen cylinders
Polyfex ointment - 500
Cap. Imodium
Tab Entox P
Tab Spasmoeibalgin
Tab Bellodona
Tab Chlorphenarmin
Metacolon
Adhesive tape
Surgical bandage(4", 6")
Crepe bandage (4", 6")
Inj. Xylocaine 2% plain
Inj. Xylocaine with Adrenaline
Syp Paracetamol
Syp Brufen
Syp Amoxil 250 mg
Syp Gravivola
Syp Maxalon
Syp Spaslen
Syp Flagyl
Syp Metodim
ORS
I/V fluids :
(ringer 1000)
(D/S 1000)
(D/W 1000)
Inj Excef 1mg - 1500
Jansonaplkasin - 1500
Inj Tramol - 1000
Inj Nalbin1 - 500
Blood bags with sols. - 2500
Inj. Gravinate - 2000
Inj. SALINE - 2000
Inj. RINGERLACTATE - 2000
Catgut - 1500
Cotton roll - 1000
D/S syringe 500 cc
Cap Velosef 500 mg - 150
Guaze piece - 1000 meters
Tab Brufen 400mg - 1000
Syp Brufen - 1000
Syp Augmentin - 400
D/S syringe 1cc - 500
Tatauix - 500
I/V Caula 22 size - 1000
Glysilk - 2000
Tents - 300
Blankets - 1000
Bed sheets - 40
Patient clothes - 100
Plastic sheets 6* 6 thick for the floor
Sweaters
Jackets
Socks
Winter clothing

Appeal from SHM

2005-10-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

(MAD Club Independent Project IX)

(Contact Person : Mamoon Akhtar, shm7@rediffmail.com)

For a brief introduction on SHM, click here.

Here is a letter from Mamoon Akhtar, the visionary young founder of the Samaritan Help Mission (SHM). Please help as much as you can. For details, email Mamoon Akhtar directly.

(Transcript of letter dated 24-Sep-05)

First of all I would like to convey my heartiest thanks and love from my very poor but loving family of 400 Children of Samaritan Help Mission.

Our Motive is to help the people on need not on creed.

Note that our area Tikiyapara in Kolkata is a muslim dominated area having 80% muslims and 20% non-muslims. The beneficiaries of SHM Project consist of the same ratio. Due to poverty, illiteracy and ignorance, children have been involved in drug trafficking and peddling. Women are been exploited by the Drug Mafia. Our Mission is to save the children from the clutches of the Drug Mafia and also the women. By making them empowered, the daughters of the MILLAT will not have to sell their conscience and dignity to bring a daily loaf of bread for her family and children. In the past, those children who used to stand on the street selling drugs and waiting for the customers, now come on time, books in polythene bag in their hand, to SHM.

Thank you for asking how you can support SHM. Note that we have limited resources. The Almighty has Sent Shri Ramesh Kacholia Uncle & Mrs. Lee Alison Sibley W/o Ex-US Consul General in Kolkata who send most of the support from their personal resources as well as garner support from their well wishers and friends. The local individual interested person donates to the SHM cause in the shape of Rs. 100/- or Rs. 50/- per month. Besides, children give Rs. 5/- per month. Many people come and donate copies, books, pencils etc to SHM, on the eve of their children's birthday. We motivate people to donate pencils, copies, pencils boxes on the eve of their children birthday so that children will develop the feeling of giving and helping the fellow human being. As the IDD & Durga Puja is coming near we have motivated the local people to help us so that we could give the underprivileged old aged and orphan children of SHM clothes in Durga Puja & IDD, which we do every year.

We appeal to the people to help us with whatever capacity they have so that we an run our Educational, Vocational Training and other projects smoothly. We can give the honorarium to our Girl Volunteers who are college Going Students, and they render their services for teaching these unfortunate children, in lieu they receive honorarium of Rs.125/- each so that they could pay their college fees and continue their studies. They all come from poor families.

We humbly request you to help us under your capacity and tell your friends and well wishers to help SHM cause in the name of their late beloved ones. We need support for running of our Illiteracy Elimination Program, Vocational Training Program, Computer Literacy Program, and Sponsorship of Orphan or underprivileged Girl or Boy for continuing their studies.

Please note we are running our School in three shift in 600 sqft of Land. In the past we had only one class room running classes upto I & II, but with Ramesh uncle's personal support and support from his friends, we have been able to build one additional room, and are now running classes upto Class I, II, III, IV.

We are trying to get a land for the school so that we could start school upto class X, and maintaining the corpus fund for it. Hence we request you to support us under your individual capacity for running of the SHM programmes. The support of people will make our mission more strong.

We request you to donate a portion of your heart to the most needy and unfortunate children and ensure them to the holistic approach to education. We shall be happy if you always write few lines to us, which will give us encouragement.

Your brother with love

Mamoon Akhtar.

Picture 1 : SHM CLASS IN PROGRESS

Picture 2 : SHM CHILDREN ON THEIR WAY TO CLASS

A Child Needs You

2005-09-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

(MAD Emergency Appeal #5)

(To help, contact: Shaffy)

There is a new hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, where Dr. Shafaq Yusuf and other students of Dow Medical College have been posted. The place where it is located is the poorest area of Karachi. Two days of incessant torrential rains had caused it to submerge under water, and several houses had been washed away.

There is this little child over there who is suffering from a serious disease. The medicine for treatment costs Pakistani Rs. 1500 (approx. INR 1500) per day. This comes to about Rs. 2.7 lakh for the complete course. The child has to take these medicines for 6 months for complete recovery. Any help would be most appreciated.

For further information on the child, details of the illness and treatment, how to contact, and how to assist or contribute in any manner, please contact Dr. Shafaq Yusuf at shafaqyusuf@gmail.com.

Appeal for Aid

2005-07-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

Sub : Donation for some outstanding institutions involved in the work of education of underprivileged children in rural/tribal/slum areas

Mr Ramesh Kacholia is an outstanding humanitarian worker. Apart from being a flagbearer for Baba Amte's Maharogi Sewa Samiti, he is closely associated with almost 15 NGOs, most of which are deeply involved in the education and rehabilitation of the underprivileged children from Red Light Areas, Railway Platforms, Street Children etc. His office acts as the Mumbai Office for all these institutions. The schools have just started for the current Academic Year. At this time, all these NGOs are in need of funds.

Enclosed herewith is a note giving brief details of six of these institutions. We encourage you to talk to some of your close friends and associates and urge them to help these outstanding institutions . For full contact details of each institution, or if you or your close friends and associates need any additional information / literature etc, please contact the institution directly via email. Alternately, you may contact Mr Ramesh Kacholia at glorimex@vsnl.com or Suhail Kassim at suhailkassim@yahoo.com for contact details and any other information.

The A/c Payee cheques drawn in favour of the institutions can be sent directly to the concerned institution. Alternately, they can be forwarded to Mr Ramesh Kacholia or Suhail Kassim, and we shall arrange to deliver the necessary receipts along with IT Exemption Certificate to you.

We encourage you to personally visit these organizations as per your convenience and witness first-hand the amazing work they are doing. Each of them have struggled against all odds and have done a truly remarkable job. Anyone who visits them is greatly impressed and returns with the feeling that they extract maximum benefit from every rupee donated to them.

1 . KARRA SOCIETY FOR RURAL ACTION (KSRA)
The dynamic husband-wife duo of Syed Afzal and Sakina Ahmed run two NGOs in Ranchi (Jharkhand). These are the Karra Society for Rural Action (KSRA) and the Kalanga Bazar Educational Trust (KBET). KSRA and KBET, established over 10 years ago, work in urban and rural poverty-stricken areas to help women, children, and disadvantaged communities become empowered through education, health and economic independence. Groups of women organized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) get all the necessary training, loans, and support to start their own businesses. Poverty-stricken children are receiving non-formal education in 25 centers. KSRA and KBET have raised women's awareness of reproductive health, family planning, nutrition and sanitation. These are amazing organizations which started from very humble beginnings and is now doing an unbelievable amount of work. KSRA has now started a school for primary children in the slums and tribal areas of Ranchi in Jharkhand, where 50 students are already enrolled. The school is from Class 1 to 5. The operational expenditure for the school will amount to minimum Rs 12 Lacs every year. Pls issue your cheque in favour of 'Karra Society for Rural Action' (50% tax exemption).

Email ID: rch_ksra@sancharnet.in

2. PARIVAAR EDUCATION SOCIETY, KOLKATA
The Founder Director is Vinayak Lohani, an IIT Kharagpur and IIM Calcutta Graduate. Totally inspired by ideals of Swami Ramkrishnaji Paramhans and Swami Vivekanand. Has taken Brahmacharya about 6 months ago and has decided to devote his life for the education and total rehabilitation of the most down trodden children ( e.g. children from red light areas, from railway platforms, destitute children etc). Right now developing insfrastructure costing about Rs 70 Lacs. The number of children has gone up from 3 to 110 in the last 18 months and is likely to reach between 175-200 by year end . The recurring expenses for the current year are expected to be about Rs 28 Lacs. We propose to raise a substantial portion through the sponsorship scheme already operating successfully for nearly a year. The annual total cost for looking after one child comes to Rs. 15,000.

Email ID: vinayak@parivaar.org, parivaar_mission@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.parivaar.org/

3. SAMARITAN HELP MISSION (SHM)
A Group of 6 Muslim Youths who live in Tikiapara slum of Howrah near Kolkata are trying hard to save the children of their slum from falling easy prey to anti-social elements who want to forcibly induct them in nefarious activities like boot legging, drug peddling, smuggling and prostitution. SHM is trying to provide quality education to these children upto 4 th standard in their own school (run in 3 shifts to accommodate all the students) and then by enrolling them in the nearby good schools. The Trustees of SHM act as the guardians of these children. Starting from 6 students in 1999, today the school has almost 380 students (majority muslim girls, but there are students from other communities also). The school is open to all communities and the motto of SHM as embossed on their letterhead is, " WE GO BY NEED, AND NOT BY CREED".
SHM is now trying to establish in their locality a full-fledged school from KG to 10 th Standard duly recognized by the Govt. They are looking for a piece of land in the Tikiapara Area. For this purpose, they are contacting various Govt Authorities and are also looking at the option of renting or purchasing a land in their area.
If SHM receives any major donations for this purpose, it will be kept as a separate fixed deposit and utilized for the purpose of purchasing the land and building the school thereon.
(50% Tax Exemption)

Email ID: shm7@rediffmail.com

4. SNEHALAY, AHMEDNAGAR
Dr Girish Kulkarni, the young (35) Founder Director of Snehalay is running this institution for 15 years. The thrust of their work is to improve the living conditions of CSWs in Ahmednagar and nearby towns, provide Medical & Educational Facilities to their children, provide pre-primary education to children of the worst slums in Ahmednagar. A wonderful team of totally dedicated young persons is doing truly outstanding work under the leadership of Girish. Pls issue your cheque in favour of Snehalay (50% tax exemption).

Email ID : snehalay@rediffmail.com

5. SRISHTI, ORISSA
The pitiable conditions of tribals in Orissa led to the foundation of this organization. They run a High School, a Hospital and Cold Storage Plant for the benefit of the local people in Boxma, Orissa for the last 20 years. Please issue your cheque in favour of 'Srishti' (50% tax exemption).

Email ID: omsrishti@yahoo.com, omsrishti@sancharnet.in

6. MAHAROGI SEWA SAMITI
Baba Amte's world renowned organization has received sanction to accept donations under 35AC (100% exemption) to the extent of Rs. 82 Lacs under 3 heads. If anyone is keen to donate only when he/she gets 100% tax exemption, he/she is welcome to donate to MSS.

Website: http://mss.niya.org/

Project GC

2005-07-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

(MAD Club independent Project VIII)

(Project Coordinator: Madiha Salam)

MAD Club introduces Project Gain Confidence (GC) -- a project targeted towards people who are shy and timid and thereby suffer in landing that dream job, gaining admission to that prestigious college, or simply making a positive impact on people!

Why Project GC?

The key reason behind this project is to create awareness among people, all of who carry natural God-gifted talents within themselves -- talents which are often left hidden, unrevelaled, unencouraged and thereby unrewarded! This project encourages them to Dare to Dream, and unearth their intrinsic talents through overcoming their lack of self-confidence and due to factors like crowd fright. Self-confidence is the need of the hour and without it many otherwise achievable targets become impossible -- especially in the fields of study and jobs.

What are the objectives of Project GC?

The objectives of Project GC are:

1. To build self-confidence in people who believe they are too shy and timid to face a crowd
2. To help people cope with their current situations and take appropriate steps to overcome their shyness and timidity
3. To provide a common forum for people to share their unique experiences to overcome shyness for the benefit of others

Who will benefit?

This project will be beneficial for people (especially youth) who lack confidence in the following areas:

1. In their social lives
2. In their academic circles and school / college / university lives
3. In their co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
4. In their projects and jobs

Project GC would provide a forum for interaction between people who are confident and people who are not. The less confident people would benefit from the collective wisdom and training of the confident people, while the confident people would be able to contribute though sharing their experiences and thereby immeasurably enriching the lives and future of the less confident!

How can people participate in it?

The entire project has been conceptualised and implemented by a dynamic young girl, Madiha Salam, from Pakistan. What makes Project GC unique is that this project has been envisaged entirely from an altruistic perspective with the sole intention of helping others for free.

The current format would involve one-on-one counselling and advice to those who need it, and sharing experiences, writeups and presentations. In the not-too-distant future, the project may expand to taking personal classes and giving lectures on motivation and confidence building.

There is also an Orkut Community named "Gain Confidence" which provides a common forum for sharing of experiences.

Project GC has the potential to make an explosive impact in the lives of those who really need it. So come join Project GC. Come help Make a Difference to our youth.

Project WANAYA

2005-04-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

(MAD Club Independent Project VII)

(Project Coordinator : Shaq)

All of us are equally normal.

Conversely, all of us are equally abnormal.

How come?

Abnormalities are not only those which are visible. They can also be emotional or mental in nature.

Some of us have physical infirmities. We are visually challenged, or speech/hearing challenged, or physically challenged. But the term "physically challenged" in reality covers a much larger spectrum of "abnormalities". In fact, wearing spectacles and lenses is also a physical infirmity. And all of us have fallen ill occasionally - which is just another physical infirmity, albeit a short-term one.

Some of us have emotional handicaps. We're cruel, unkind, unjust. And all of us have lost our tempers occasionally - which is just another emotional infirmity, albeit a short-lived one.

Some of us have mental shortcomings. We're dyslexic, ADHD, autistic, or just slow in grasping new things. And almost all of us would have flunked a test - which is just proof of mental infirmity, albeit a temporary one.

Most of us have suffered all three shortcomings at one point or another. Nobody is “perfectly normal” – and that’s good, because nature loves irregularities and perfection is so boring! We're all a mix of abnormalities. Ergo, we are all challenged in one way or another.

Why then do we look at physically handicapped people differently from us?

How is a person who needs crutches or a wheelchair to move, any different from you and me? All it takes is one split second - the fraction of time required for an accident - to become lifelong “physically challenged” ourselves.

And if a "physically challenged" person is mentally and emotionally "normal", chances are that he or she is much more wholesome than many so-called "normal" people who are victims of emotional or mental challenges.

Why then should it matter if a person has certain physical handicaps? Do we look at people who wear spectacles as being different from us? If not, then why should we look at people on wheelchairs differently? They're human, just like us ... except their legs are a bit weaker. But in the long run, is it the strength in the legs that counts? Or is it the strength in the spirit?

If you talk to "physically challenged" people, the overwhelming feeling you will come away with, will be:

Do not give us sympathy. Give us respect as humans. Give us dignity.

And for God's sake, treat us as equals. Don’t single us out.

Because all of us are equally normal.

The MAD Club hereby launches "Project WANAYA - We're As Normal As You Are".

Here is what Project Coordinator Shaq wrote in his blog:

People know me as being in a wheelchair, as a wheelchair. I always try to put myself on the other side . IF I were looking at me, I am sure I would be thinking of that guy in the chair. I can't expect to think any differently.

"I must admit I can't really claim that I have been happy or content since I have been in a wheelchair. The frustration have always been there to take it away. For me each day, life is either bearable or unbearable. It has never really got beyond that. Very few days have got above bearable"

"Happiness is a positive emotion, short-term enjoying a film, an overall feeling. Before I was left "physically challenged"I was sometimes happy and sometimes not, but since I have been disabled I cannot claim that I have ever been happy. It is too much struggle , every day"

Can we do our bit to make them happier? Can we make their struggle easier?

Can we convince ourselves – and them – that there really is nothing wrong with them, after all?

Why not try? Because, folks, guess what – it’s true!

Come let us do our bit in helping the so-called "physically challenged" live with dignity and equality. Come participate in Project WANAYA.

And let us Make A Difference.

Spare a prayer for Preeti

2005-04-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

(MAD Emergency Appeal 4)

(Acknowledgements: Neelima)

Friends, please pray for this young lady and for her family. They need all our good wishes.

GOD BLESS YOU PREETI

Save Kanisha

2005-04-13T03:51:00.000-07:00

(MAD Emergency Appeal 3)

Below is an email received from a close friend. Kindly respond if possible. And kindly circulate.

***

From: Meghal Pandya
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2005 2:45 PM
Subject: FW: Please Circulate my daughter website for her urgent needs!!

Dear All,

I am aware that such unsolicited mails are not appreciated, but this is a very genuine case. The patient in question is my cousin’s 6 year old daughter in Bangalore. Request you to circulate the mail to people who won’t be offended on its receipt.

Rgds,
Meghal

***

From: sanjeev b shah
Subject: Please Circulate my daughter website for her urgent needs!!

Dear Friends & Well Wishers,

I hereby give my Daughter website, who is suffering from Blood Cancer and presently taking treatement in Bangalore Institute of Oncology. The Estimate Treatement Cost is 10 laks upward.

http://www.geocities.com/kanisha_princess/Kanisha.html

Please go through it and also circulate the same to your friends Circle.

The above website is Exclusively to bring awareness / Donations where you can directly contribute to her Saving Account No: 1505014697 , Oriental Bank of Commerce or Bangalore Institute of Oncology, file no: 16305 Patients Name: Kanisha S. Shah, not for any other means of informations to Construe upon.

With Regards,

Sanjeev Kumar B Shah

FAQs on Adoption

2005-02-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

What is adoption?
Adoption is a process of parenting children who are not related to one by birth.

Who is eligible to adopt?
• Married couples or single adults (unmarried, widowed, divorced) who have a steady income sufficient to bear the family expenses and provide a financial security for the child.
• Those whose age does not exceed 45 years.
• Those who have a home environment comfortable for themselves and a child.

Is adoption legal in India?
Adoption is legal in India. The IPC has two laws under which children can be adopted depending on the religion of the adoptive parents.
1. The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act 1956 which applies only to Hindus.
2. The Guardianship and Ward Act 1890 which applies to non-Hindus (Christians, Muslims and Parses). A 1996 judgement by Justice FI Rebello of the High Court grants adoption for non-Hindu families who have taken the child under guardianship for over a period of two years.

How can you adopt?
Adoption can be done only through government recognised placement agencies, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure.

Where can we find more details of adoption in India (specifically Mumbai)?
Check this link for organizations and contact details.

***

Ours by Choice
We are guilty of many errors and many faults
But our worst crime
Is abandoning the children,
neglecting the fountain of life.
Many of the things we need can wait.
The child cannot.
Right now is the time
his bones are being formed,
his blood is being made,
and his senses are being developed.
To him we cannot answer"Tomorrow."
His name is "Today."
- Gabriela Mistral

***

The really beautiful comment Tejaswini left on the previous post on Adoption is repeated below ... verbatim, because I feel it's impossible to improve on what she's said so wonderfully ...

Adoption ... to me, its one of the noblest things that one can do. Also, one of the toughest.

There's a cute little book called "Little Prince". Its a sweet rambling book that gives you huge insights into life. One of the things that's stayed with me, is the concept of "Taming".

The author explains how a little prince is fond of one particular rose. The rose is just like any other ... but he loves THIS rose .. because he tamed her. He took care of her .. watered her, fed her. And so he cared only for her.

So it is with a child, a human being. I can say this because I have seen it.

I have an uncle who adopted two children. Another who adopted one .. I find this even more amazing coz he already had one son, but he went ahead and adopted a daughter.

Today, these children are like any of us. We don't ever think of them as "adopted" or as "outsiders".

The biggest factor has been the family support. This has helped the children to merge with the family. And they are all aware that they are adopted by and not born from their parents.

I agree with Suhail when he says that it requires huge emotional investments ... but its the same if you have a kid naturally, right? And a child is like a pet ... it can tame you and make you fall in love.

And when you are in love, you are a goner. The child can twist you round its little finger and you'll never remember that you actually paid for the little devil.

:)

And it will become an inseparable part of you.

The returns are immense ... emotionally. And you have helped to give a child a home, care, love and protection ... everything it would have been bereft of, otherwise.

What better way to do social service?

Adoption

2005-02-22T03:31:00.000-08:00

(MAD Club Individual Project #6)

What does it take to bring a new life under one's wing? What does it take to adopt a child?

Adoption is without doubt a life-changing experience. It involves huge emotional investments. A passionate commitment that will not waver. Often a total change of lifestyle and mindset. A risk of social ostracism.

After all, bringing a child up well is not child's play.

But on the flip side, what are the returns?

Dilip D'Souza and his wife are one such truly rare and wonderful couple who have dared to adopt. He recounts his experiences here and here. May his tribe increase.

For all those interested in adoption, it is recommended that you speak to an adoption agency, not an orphanage. In Mumbai, try the Indian Association for the Promotion of Adoption. For further details, email fd97075@yahoo.co.in.

Don't Adopt Us!

2005-02-22T03:28:00.000-08:00

As a response to the terrible Tsunami tragedy, relief measures are now nearing completion. The phase of rehabilitation begins now.

Rehabilitation includes many aspects. Repairing the houses of the Tsunami victims, and ensuring that the new houses are sturdier than before. Providing boats to fishermen and self-sustainable livelihood to the affected families. Providing counselling to traumatized villagers - often just hearing them out silently is therapy enough for them to snap out of often-suicidal depression modes. And, last but not least, adopting those children left without family and home by the ravaging waves.

Of course, adoption of Tsunami children has its own complications. It is not just about signing on a dotted line. There are multiple linguistic, cultural, and emotional issues to overcome.

But the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. Read a new adoptive couple's experiences here.

For further assistance, contact any NGO involved in doing relief work in the affected areas. But a word of caution : Before embarking on this journey, read on ...

***

(Source : News Reports)

NAGAPATTINAM: Fourteen-year-old Kavidevi breaks down in tears as her uncle begins to register her and her three sisters at a government centre for tsunami orphans in southern India.
She keeps shaking her head, mumbling that she doesn't want to live in an orphanage after her parents were washed away by the sea last month.

Her uncle and orphanage workers try to console her, but she cries and runs out of the gate to hide in the motor rickshaw that brought the sisters from their fishing village.

"I don't want to stay here, I don't want to stay here," she says as she sobs, begging her dead father's younger brother to look after the girls himself.

Her two younger sisters and an older sister stare blankly as Kavidevi pleads.

Uncle Ramajeyam fails to convince her that she would be better off at the orphanage and could even find a new home as hundreds of people from across India and abroad have offered to adopt orphans of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

He takes the girls back to their village, hoping that he will succeed in persuading Kavidevi after a religious ceremony in memory of her parents later this week.

Kavidevi's refusal to leave her village and live in an orphanage, let alone consider being adopted by a new family, does not surprise adoption experts.

The last thing orphans want, especially those above the age of five or six, is to be uprooted from the environment in which they grew up, they said.

The cultural complexities involved in rehabilitation were starkly reflected when many tsunami survivors in south India refused bread served by charities from wheat-eating northern India, preferring their staple of rice instead.

With Indian laws requiring the consent of children before adoption, it is a scenario bound to disappoint hundreds of couples who are keen to adopt India's tsunami orphans.

No ideal solution

"One of the most difficult things for a child is change. And children have had so much change right now that naturally an average child or even an average adult would not want any more change," Aloma Lobo, head of the Indian government's Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA), told Reuters.

Children were hardest hit by the tsunami which killed 175,000 people around the Indian Ocean including 16,000 in India.

They account for about a third of the dead in India and tens of thousands more are orphaned or have only one surviving parent.

In Nagapattinam, India's worst hit district, 222 children were orphaned, and another 879 children had one parent left, according to government records.

Dozens more may still be with relatives before they are brought to the orphanage, officials said.

S Suryakala, head of Nagapattinam's social welfare department, said authorities were only considering allowing adoption of tsunami orphans by families in the same region and no thought had been given to foreign adoption.

"We have to be very careful. We have to ascertain that there is no child trafficking or abuse," she said.

While younger orphans would receive regular education, older boys and girls would be trained to work as computer operators, nurses, typists, make pickles or knit clothes.

And under local government rules, such orphans would be given preference during recruitment for government jobs, Suryakala said.

Yet, it is not exactly an ideal solution.

"My first preference would be to let older children remain in their own community. And family care is any day better than institutional care," said CARA's Lobo.

"But allowing adoption of children older than seven presents challenges to both the child and new parents. So we have to play it by ear."

Please Help This Young Doctor

2005-01-17T22:28:00.000-08:00

(MAD Emergency Appeal #2)
(Posted by Shaffy)

This is an appeal for immediate help for a young doctor of only 23 years of age, who recently completed her medicine in the year 2004, but was diagnosed as a patient of ACUTE MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA (blood cancer).

Here are the details:

Dr Sobia Parveen
House Ofiicer Civil Hospital Karachi
Dow graduate, Batch of 2004
Admitted for treatment at AKU Karachi
(M.R. no.117-82-18)

CONTACT:

V.C DUHS Prof.Masood Hameed Khan ( 92-21-9215732)
H.OD. Physiology Department Prof. Shoaib Tauheed (92-303-6236282)
Dean Faculty of Medicine Prof. I.B.Soomro (92-300-9203773)

PLEASE DONATE:

ACC.no: 101211185
UBL-BABA-EURDU ROAD BRANCH
KARACHI

Please donate all you can, it's about the life of a young doctor. A little help from you can save her life. She may not have much time, therefore, please be quick.

***

P.S. She did not survive. Many thanks for all of you who either contributed for her treatment or prayed for her recovery. She had dreamt of becoming a doctor and saving lives, but alas herself died young. Your continued prayers for her soul and her family would be very much appreciated.

Safety for Field Volunteers + Update

2005-01-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

Safety for Volunteers:

If you know any potential on-site volunteers, please pass the following info on to them so they can take adequate precautions. Some of it is obvious, but one can never be too careful ...

1. Tetanus toxoid immunization, if possible, to protect you in case of any cuts or scratches. This is a relatively painless injection and can be given to you by your family physician. At present there is no advisory for any medical prophylaxis, but do keep checking the sites.

2. Mosquito repellent: To protect you from Vector born viral and parasitic disease. You could carry a tube of odomos and apply it to exposed skin.

3. Chlorine drops or tablets: Waterborne disease is the biggest threat, and you need to ensure your water is safe. One to two bottles should be enough, you need to follow the instructions on the package. For purifying water, Chloriwat or Jeevanraksha, both priced at rs 16 for 25 ml, lasting a week as well ( since you need 3 drops for 10 litres of water).

4. Hand disinfection: In case water for washing is a problem, a solution for disinfection is available - Sterillium, Rs. 75 for a 100 ml bottle, which should last a week.

5. Avoid eating raw veggies. Bananas are the safest food as they can be eaten unwashed, and can be peeled without touching the part to be eaten. Please ensure food is always covered and protected from flies. Flies carry a lot of bacteria because they tend to land on different objects before landing on the food.

Current requirements for field volunteers:

1. If you are Tamil speaking, you should commit at least 8/9 days.

2. If you are non-Tamil speaking, then we need a slightly longer term commitment. There is an urgent need for female volunteers who can commit at least 2 weeks. Male volunteers should commit at least 3-4 weeks.

3. There is also an urgent need for medical doctors who are willing to commit at least more than a week.

Immediate material requirement:

(Kindly only source for free in bulk—NO INDIVIDUAL COLLECTION DRIVES):

1. Soaps
2. Detergent bars (not powder)
3. Tooth paste/ toothpowder
4. Tooth brush
5. Hair oil
6. Sanitary napkins

For now no dry foods or medication is required. This will change in the next 4 days.

For the above materials, the requirement is between 500 and 1000 pieces each.

For detailed list of requirements (immediate and slightly longer term), kindly refer previous post.

Detailed Requirements in Tsunami Affected Areas

2005-01-03T05:48:00.001-08:00

(Compiled from AID India, Red Cross, Akanksha as on 2nd Jan 2005)
(In order of priority)
(Items marked in asterisk "*" are needed urgently)

1. Money

Given below is the information from AID India (Mumbai) for donating money:

Cheques: All cheques must be addressed to "AID-India ICICI BankAccount No 602201200299". Cheques may be given to the AID Mumbai volunteer who contacted you or alternatively, may be deposited in any branch of ICICI Bank. In either case please contact an AID Mumbai volunteer to give the information required to process your receipt from AID Chennai.
Electronic Transfers: If you have a bank account with internet banking facility, you can make an electronic transfer via internet banking to AID-India's ICICI Bank Account No 602201200299. Please be sure you that contact an AID Mumbai volunteer to give the information required to process your receipt from AID Chennai.
Cash: We would prefer not to accept cash donations. In exceptional cases, where for instance door-to-door collections in cash are undertaken, the cash may be deposited in any branch of ICICI Bank to the credit of "AID-India ICICI Bank Account No 602201200299". In such cases please ensure you have sufficient information on the individual donors to enable us to process the receipts in their names. Please contact an AID Mumbai volunteer to give theinformation required to process your receipt from AID Chennai.

2. Medicines (all *)

If you wish to purchase medicines, please buy only one or two of the following in bulk and send. Try to avoid sending an assortment of medicines, as it becomes difficult for the on-site volunteers to segregate and classify.

Cholera medicines
Diarrhoea medicines
Paracetamols
ORS Packets
Doxycycline
Savlon / Dettol
Scissors
Crepe Bandage
Soframycin Ointment
Burnol
Disposable Syringes
Bandages
Cotton Bundle
Vaccines - Hepatitis A (approx. Rs. 1,020), Typhoid (Rs. 225), Tetanus Toxoid (Rs. 10)
Cough Syrups
Septron Tablets / Syrups
Anti-Histamines
Dispovan
Calara Injections
First Aid Kits

3. Food (all *)

Must be packaged and non-perishable. High energy, easy to prepare is preferred.

Milk Powder
Chocolate Bars
Jaggery
Maggi
Milkmaid
Biscuits
Rice
Dal
Wheat
Sugar
Salt
Packaged Foods like MTR

Try and avoid sending food as most food items are available on-site. Send money instead. This will cut down transportation cost (from your city to the affected area). Also, on-site NGOs can negotiate a better bulk purchase deal from the suppliers there with the money you send.

4. Clothes and Other Items

Disposable Gloves for volunteers (*)
Disposable Masks for volunteers (*)
Blankets
Soaps / Detergents
Toothpaste & Toothbrush (NEW)
Duct Tape
Pots and Pans (NEW)
Socks (NEW) (*)
Vests (NEW) (*)
Polythene Ropes
Torches
Spare Batteries
Candles
Knives
Matchsticks / Lighters
Blouses (NEW) (*)
Petticoats (NEW) (*)
Sarees (NEW) (*)
Lungis (NEW) (*)
Underwear (NEW) (*)
Towels (NEW)
Mugs
Bedsheets (*)

Please note:

Most NGOs have an oversupply of clothes and are not looking for more. So refrain from sending in any more clothes. Send money instead.
In case you insist on sending clothes, please stick to the above list.
And as indicated in the above list, please send in ONLY new / unused clothes.
Also, please classify the clothes into Men's / Women's / Children's and package separately with appropriate labelling on the packages, so volunteers need not waste precious time in segregating the clothes items.
Once again, try and send money instead of clothes as of now.

Volunteering

Tamil speaking volunteers are required for periods not less than 8-10 days.
Non-Tamil speaking volunteers arerequired for periods not less than 2-3 months.
For doctors language is not a barrier provided they are willing to stay a reasonable period of time (at least 8-10 days).

Other Useful Links - A Compendium:

http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com (Official Site)
http://www.indianredcross.org/contact.html (Indian Red Cross Addresses - please find out the collection centre closest to you on this site)
(Red Cross New Delhi : +91-11-23716441)
(Red Cross Chennai : +91-44-28554548 / 28554117)
(Red Cross Mumbai : +91-22-22661524 / 22644030)
http://survivors.aidindia.org, http://mumbai.aidindia.org (AID India - please find out the collection centre closest to you on these sites)
http://www.akanksha.org/index.htm (Akanksha)
http://shafaqyusuf.blogspot.com
http://pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm (Prime Minister's Relief Fund).
The donations can be made by cheque or draft in the name of “The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund” and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi 110001.
Contributions can also be made directly at the branches of ALL BANKS in the country.
Contributions can also be sent through Money Orders with no commission chargeable.
Contributions to the PMNRF have ben notified for 100% deduction form taxable income under section 80(G) of the Income tax act.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/tsunami.aidsites/index.html (International Agencies for donating for Tsunami Relief)
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html (United States Agency for International Development - USAID)
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/emergencies/asian-earthquake-help.asp (Department of International Development - DFID of the United Kingdom)
http://www.wfp.org/index.asp?section=4 (United Nations World Food Programme - WFP)

Tsunami Relief Contacts

2004-12-28T00:53:00.000-08:00

Even if you can't help, please pass on these details ...

Loads of info on http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com.

To donate money -- Hindu Relief Fund webpage is at http://pay.hindu.com/thrfpay/thrfpay.jsp

Some other details we've got so far is given below ...

1) To help : http://www.worldvisionindia.org

2) To volunteer in Besant Nagar : Please contact Shihan Hussaini 9841618386. You could help with old clothes,water bottles, blankets, food packets.

3) To volunteer in Neelankarai : Please contact Priya 25506284.

4) Message from Ryze Network :

This is an emergency call from WE CARE FOR CHENNAI - Ryze Network. The tsunami has hit Chennai & many other places. The disaster is unprecedented in Chennai, rest of Tamilnadu, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh. Other countries are also hit. Most of the victims and their families belong to lower income strata. Time for action from all of us. Every kind of help counts now. Mitigating the suffering of the families of victims and surviving victims is a huge challenge. Help in every form counts. The psychological scar requires deft handling. What we can do? How we can act collectively, as socially-conscious, educated and responsible group? Who will co-ordinate what action? Please volunteer. Time is very short. Post your views and ideas right away. Let us see if a few workable ideas emerge quickly and get into consensus. If you are outside Chennai, please respond with your msg how you can participate, in whatever form. Can you co-manage this campaign with me? I will be grateful.

Govind Srinivasan,
Moderator,
WE CARE FOR CHENNAI,
Ryze Network
Mobile: 93810 00516
http://wcfc-network.ryze.com/

5) Message from an on-site volunteer:

Dear Friends, I was travelling on the East coast road when the tidal wave hit - lots of people rushed out. Didn't realize the scale of the problem. Then went to the Marina and the slums nearby - all washed out. We still don't know fully what needs to be done. The current focus is on rescue operations - searching for lost people. The police and army is working on this. One thing that is clear when we talked to people affected is shelter -but this is not something that we can do immediately. We will need to work on this over the next two weeks. We have started collecting clothes - they will be needed over the next two days. Food supplies for tonight are being arranged by the govt... possibly we will have to start our food relief within a few days. Main focus needs to be ensuring govt relief reaches people and also some critical areas like rebuilding shelters for the poorest who are affected. We have started collecting donations for the relief work in Chennai and TN - local cheques can be made to AID-Chennai (or AID-India). Foreign contributions must be made in the name of AID-India and sent to:
AID-India
Old No 132, New No 242,
Avvai Shanmugam Road
Gopalapuram,
Chennai - 600 086
Ph: 044- 28350403, 28115058

Clothes collected can be dropped off in the AID office in Chennai - it will be distributed over the next few days. Thanks for the help. Balaji Sampath.