Protecting Children Together: Our Partnership with Police

In this blog, we reflect on Project Help India’s trusted, action‑oriented partnerships with the police and government agencies that protect and empower vulnerable children across Kotdwar, Bijnor, and beyond. Our collaborations are grounded in shared purpose: safeguarding children from trafficking, abuse, labour, street begging, drug gang influence, and early marriage, while relentlessly promoting every child’s right to education. By working hand‑in‑hand with the local police, Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, and anti‑trafficking units, we identify at‑risk children early, coordinate targeted services, and monitor outcomes -ensuring interventions are timely, appropriate, and respectful of families’ dignity. This high level collaboration is also supported at the grassroots though our Child Safeguarding lessons that are taught in all of our centre - keeping in mind that the kids we teach are extremely vulnerable at many levels.

Our Involvement and Impact just this Month

First, a child protection meeting chaired by the Additional Superintendent of Police brought together key partners to address rising threats to children and to map concrete prevention and rehabilitation pathways. Amrit Samuel, Project In‑Charge, presented field insights and collaborative needs from Kotdwar and Bijnor.

Second, our senior slum‑center students joined railway police for an anti‑drug awareness street play, reaching travelers with a powerful message and demonstrating the effectiveness of community‑driven policing.

Third, Uttarakhand Police featured Project Help India on their official page, significantly boosting our visibility and credibility with officers and government officials statewide.

Last year, in 2024, we launched Child Advocacy Summits in Punjab and Uttarakhand. These multi‑stakeholder forums brought together police, educators, social workers, and community leaders to brainstorm, share data, and co‑create protective strategies for at‑risk children. Each summit featured presentations from local police, further cementing trust and shared responsibility. We’re already planning the next Summit in March next year, expanding our collaborative reach and impact.

Beyond immediate protection, we invest heavily in prevention and education. We work closely with parents, especially mothers, highlighting the importance of schooling for girls and offering information on scholarships, safe transportation, and school‑ready routines. This proactive outreach has begun shifting attitudes in communities where schooling had been undervalued or viewed as less essential than early work or marriage.

During the COVID‑19 lockdown, our partnership certainly deepened. Police and government teams helped us distribute essential resources, food, and support to affected families, while we leveraged council channels to maintain schooling continuity where possible.

Our lasting message remains clear: protecting children requires coordinated, compassionate action and unwavering community trust.As we continue to broaden our impact through Child Advocacy Summits and sustained government partnerships, we invite corporate partners to join us through CSR programs that align with our values. Your support can fund advocacy, education, and protective services for vulnerable children, while also showcasing your commitment to ethical governance and community resilience.

If your organisation seeks meaningful, measurable social impact, we would love to explore a tailored partnership—funding programs, events, or scholarships, and co-branding opportunities. Please contact us to discuss how your CSR initiative can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families across Kotdwar, Bijnor, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

Your support matters, and we are most grateful to those whose generosity makes so much of this possible.

Your Urgent Gift Can Restore Tanya’s Health and Hopeful Journey

We’re writing with a hopeful heart to share the story of Tanya, whom many of you know as part of the Project Help India family for 12 wonderful years. At 18, Tanya has grown from a bright, curious child at our Kotdwara Slum Centre into a resilient young woman who loves this organisation as much as we love her. She has faced every challenge with grace, dedication to her studies, humility and warmth that touches everyone she meets.

For four years, Tanya has endured extremely painful gallbladder stones. The toll on her daily life and education has been heavy, and despite her family’s unwavering determination, their finances due to living in extreme poverty and being daily wage earners, have been a barrier to the treatment she needs. Doctors now recommend surgery to remove the stones. The government hospital in Kotdwara has referred her to a specialist, with an estimated cost of around ₹40,000 ($750AUD in nearby Bijnor.

We kindly ask for your prayers and, if you can, heartfelt support to cover Tanya’s surgery and post-operative care. Any contribution, large or small, will lift a heavy burden from her family and help safeguard her education and bright future within our Project Help India family.

Key facts:

• Tanya, 18, long-time Project Help India student

• Gallbladder stones for 4 years

• Family financially strained

• Surgery required; estimated ₹40,000

If you’d like to help, please contact us [Amit in Kotdwara or Doug in Sydney], and we’ll ensure your donation reaches Tanya promptly. Thank you for standing with Tanya and with all the children we serve.

World Food Day: Nourishing Minds, Empowering Futures with Project Help India

And the verdict is ….delicious!

On October 16, Project Help India celebrated World Food Day at our Kotdwara office, marking a day of nourishment, learning, and community support. Our team prepared a nutritious meal rich in essential elements and distributed it among slum children, reinforcing the critical link between healthy eating and learning potential. Social worker Mr. Vivek Agarwal from Kotdwara attended as guest judge, lending his expertise and encouragement. World Food Day serves as a timely reminder to educate our students about nutrition, food safety, and healthy habits that can last a lifetime. It’s a day that the entire organisation looks forward to with hope and gratitude.

A huge thank you to our Kotdwara staff team for making this very special day possible.

350 Children, One Meal Daily: Inside Our Nutrition program

A standout highlight is that all 350 students at our Kotdwara and Bijnor centres receive a free meal every day. This program is sustained by a dedicated team of cooks (local elderly women and men who require employment) at six locations, and for many of these slum children, this meal is by far the most substantial and nourishing portion of their day. The impact goes beyond sustenance; it supports concentration, attendance, and overall well-being, enabling brighter futures.

If you wish to support our mission, here are the current sponsorship options:

• Sponsor a child’s education and meals for one month: $50AUD (approx. $12.50 per week).

• Sponsor a cook’s salary for one month: $40AUD.

The Substantial Difference of a Single Meal for Slum Kids

Our long-term goal includes providing meals for 300 students in Punjab. However, this requires about $20,000AUD annually, a figure we need to secure consistently. We invite companies and organisations to partner with us to expand this essential program and ensure reliable meals for every child. Your donation is tax deductible, and every contribution brings us closer to meals, education, and energy for the day for more slum kids. If you’re interested in sponsoring or exploring corporate partnership opportunities, please contact us today.

Hope Through Light: Diwali and the Power of Interfaith Celebration

This Diwali (20th October), the festival of lights reminded us that light triumphs over darkness, unity over division, and hope over fear. At Project Help India, we embraced this spirit by inviting the children at our programs to craft and paint earthen lamps (diyas) with care and creativity. The glow from these handmade lamps isn’t just a symbol; it is a beacon of love, respect, and a shared commitment to service that crosses faiths and communities.

In the days leading up to Diwali, our young volunteers poured their hearts into their diyas, each careful stroke a pledge to kindness. On the festival day, these lamps were distributed to administrators, police officers, social workers, politicians, doctors, and all those who have stood by our mission in countless ways. The act was simple—handing a diya—but its meaning was profound: we celebrate not just a holiday, but a cadence of collaboration that honours every tradition that contributes to bringing unity and hope to the common good.

The response to our gesture was heartening. Recipients paused to reflect on the power of interfaith respect and collaboration, praising Project Help India for its unwavering commitment to social service and its inclusive approach. In a world that often highlights differences, this Diwali moment offered a powerful counter-narrative: when we come together with a shared purpose, our collective light shines brighter.

Why this matters goes beyond the lamp’s warm glow

Diwali teaches us that every act of care, no matter how small, can illuminate lives across miles and divides. Our work, rooted in compassion, now stands as a living example of how interfaith friendship and mutual respect can fuel meaningful, lasting change. By recognising and honouring the dignity of every community we serve, we create spaces where everyone can contribute, belong, and thrive.

As we celebrate, we invite you to join us in keeping this light alive

As we celebrate, we reaffirm that unity is strengthened when we share our values across faiths. Love brings hope, light, and goodness that rise above darkness and challenge, guiding us toward a more inclusive, compassionate world. When we stand together in service, our diverse traditions become a powerful chorus for the common good, showing that kindness knows no creed.

May this Diwali season illuminate our shared path toward a kinder, more inclusive world.

Here's some fabulous local TV news footage of our students and staff as they deliver the diyas to the police and others in the community. NEWS CLIP HERE

The kids at our Kotdwara Slum Disability Centre absolutely love painting the diyas and giving them to the police and other community leaders - what an important task!

Love in Action #3: Free Medical Camp Sparks Hope for the Poorest of the Poor

In a world where isolation and distance often means silence, Project Help India proves that impact travels far. Our free medical camp held simultaneously at the office in Kotdwara, may seem distant from our work in Ferozepur, Punjab, where our flood relief work was also happening - (roughly a distance of 500 kilometres by road and a 9-hour drive without breaks) but the truth is different: compassionate action when it is guided by purpose and community is powerful and to put it bluntly - it saves lives.

This month, we opened our doors to those in need, offering a no-cost medical camp that brought hope and relief to hundreds. Two exceptional doctors joined us to provide comprehensive care: Dr. Jatin Chauhan, a laparoscopy and general surgeon from Bijnor, and Dr. Preeti Chauhan, a specialist in mental and neuro health. Together, they delivered free treatment and distributed medicines for a wide range of conditions, including stomach, intestine, liver, gallbladder issues, nasal problems, mental health concerns, and Parkinson’s-related symptoms. We cannot thank Drs Chauhan enough - for your kindness and generosity in volunteering to help.

“We cannot afford expensive treatment”

The response from attendees was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Many patients spoke of the financial barriers that prevent access to quality care—barriers that force families to choose between essential needs and medical treatment. The relief of receiving care, simply because it’s offered with no cost, was evident in their gratitude. “We cannot afford expensive treatment,” one elder said, underscoring the necessity of such camps for economically vulnerable communities. Their words affirmed the impact of our community based model: healthcare that meets people where they are, with dignity and generosity - provided by locals who implicitly understand the needs and concerns of the community they serve.

Beyond the immediate treatments, our pop-up clinic highlighted a broader truth: health equity requires both access and continuity. Our team distributed free medicines, offered advice on prevention, and connected patients with follow-up resources for ongoing care. For many, this was the first step toward a longer journey of wellness, providing interventions and guidance that otherwise would be financially unattainable.

We are grateful for the local media coverage that amplified this message, helping more people understand that powerful care can be delivered from a single, well-planned event, especially when the community comes together. The media coverage also raises the credibility and profile of ‘Project Help India’ as a highly trusted and respected Nongovernmental Organisation (NGO - a non-profit organisation, that operates independently from a Government and has humanitarian or development objectives).

The photos captured the faces of relief, resilience, and renewed hope, a visual reminder that care is a shared duty, not a solitary act.

What’s next? Our commitment is ongoing. We will monitor the health needs of our communities in both Punjab and Uttarakhand, seeking opportunities to provide preventive care, vaccinations, and chronic-disease management through future camps and partnerships with other local volunteers and NGOs. We invite supporters, partners, and volunteers to join us in turning accessibility into action -so no one is left behind because of cost, distance, or circumstance.

Key points at a glance

• Free medical camp organised by Project Help India at our office.

• 200 patients treated; free medicines distributed.

• Doctors: Dr. Jatin Chauhan (laparoscopy & general surgery) and Dr. Preeti Chauhan (mental & neuro specialist).

• Treatments covered stomach, intestine, liver, gallbladder, nasal, mental health, and Parkinson’s-related issues.

• Camp underscores the need for affordable care for economically weaker sections.

Thank you to everyone who believes that health is a universal right, not a privilege. Your support—whether through donations, a local community member volunteering, or spreading the word -keeps the flame of Love in Action alive across miles. If you’d like to help us extend these lifesaving services, please consider joining our next camp, sharing this story, or connecting us with potential partners and sponsors who share our commitment to health equity and humanitarian aid for marginalised and highly vulnerable people.

Love in Action #2: Relief Work in the Flood-Affected Areas of Punjab

In the wake of the devastating floods in Punjab, thousands of families face loss and disruption, their homes damaged, belongings gone, and daily life upturned. At Project Help India we believe that love in action is not a slogan but a practiced commitment. When needs are vast, every small, deliberate act adds up to something transformative for communities in crisis.

Emergency Food Relief When floods cut off access to food and clean water, our team moved quickly to the affected villages with essential food supplies. These food kits sustained hundreds of families who had little other nourishment. For many, the gesture meant their first, hopeful meal in days. As one mother in Ferozepur shared;

“We had nothing left — not even drinking water. When the team brought food, it felt like God had heard our cries.”

Medical Aid and Health Support

As floodwaters receded, health challenges emerged -skin infections, fevers, and waterborne diseases. We organised a free medical camp where over 200 people, including all of our students received check-ups and treatment, and essential medicines were distributed at no cost. Yet the need remains high, with stagnant water and sanitation concerns continuing to threaten communities. We are planning additional medical camps and hygiene kit distributions to prevent outbreaks and safeguard health.

Clothing Distribution

Many families lost everything, including basic clothing. Our volunteers reached out to women and children, distributing seasonal garments to restore dignity and provide comfort in these trying times. The kids loved receiving something new and they were very excited and grateful.

Mosquito Control and Disease Prevention

Standing water boosted mosquito populations, raising the risk of malaria and dengue. To combat this, we launched fogging and mosquito-control campaigns across multiple villages, protecting hundreds of families from preventable suffering.

Our Ongoing Mission

Recovery is just beginning. The affected families still need our collective support, for food, medicine, clothing, and disease prevention. To sustain progress, we will monitor ongoing needs with a focus on the children and families who attend our six Punjab Education Centres, tracking health and welfare daily through school attendance, and responding to needs as they arise.

If you’d like to join us in this enduring act of love in action, your support, large or small, can move us closer to a safer, healthier future for Punjab’s most vulnerable. Together, we can turn compassion into concrete relief, one act at a time …this is love in action! Thank you everyone for helping us, with a special shout out to the many Punjabi volunteers who helped us with the relief efforts …you are all inspiring!

Power in a Small Smile: Our Pop-Up Dental Clinic for Kotdwara’s Children

Smiles all round led by our awesome Director, Mr Amit Samuel.

When a community gathers with a shared purpose, even the smallest act can ripple outward, brightening futures. Project Help India answered a quiet, urgent need in Kotdwara: a pop-up dental clinic for the children who attend our Slum Education Centre. What began as a simple examination became a beacon of care, learning, and hope for families facing daily challenges - and the kids enjoyed the moment, even if some were nervous at first, especially for those who had never been to the dentist before.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nikita Singh and her team, whose compassion and expertise turned a routine check into trust and care. They listened to each child, explained what they saw, and identified 12 children needing follow-up treatment. The plan now includes free follow-up appointments at Dr. Singh’s clinic, ensuring timely care to prevent pain and longer-term health issues.

This camp was about more than dental care. It’s a celebration of dignity, encouragement, and practical support that builds lifelong healthy habits. The team gifted notebooks, pencils, stationery, toothpaste, biscuits, fruits, and medicines - tools that empower learning, nourishment, and well-being.

The smiles you see in the photos were more than gratitude; they were a promise that we will not turn away from the vulnerable and that small acts can lay the groundwork for lasting change. This story shows that it really does take a community to care ...and a powerful demonstration of love in action.

How you can help now

• Support paediatric health initiatives with a donation to fund follow-up care, education, and supplies.

• Share this positive news story to raise awareness about some of the most vulnerable children on the planet.

• Partner with us: If your organisation is looking to sponsor community health projects, we’d love to explore collaboration that scales impact.

If earlier this year you didn't see our story about our Pop Up Medical Clinic you might like to check it out HERE.

With thanks for your interest, love and support. We could not do what we do without you.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nikita Singh and her team for your generous support and help.

After the floods, now for the smell of it all!

The floodwaters may have redeeded, but the crisis for many of Punjab’s remote and isolated communities is far from over.

Since our relief work began, we’ve been delivering monthly essential supplies to those hardest hit. See YouTube News clip HERE.

Today, with hearts full of gratitude for your recent generosity, we share a new, urgent need to protect health and restore hope for families trying to rebuild.

A new and urgent health challenge has taken root: stagnant water is producing a foul and strong odour, and the unfortunate deaths of many animals have contaminated the environment. Now coupled with daily temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, these conditions have heightened the risk of outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, threatening the well-being of families already struggling to move forward. In response, we’re launching two focused initiatives to safeguard communities and prevent a broader health crisis:

We are Organising Pop-Up Medical Camps

We will provide urgent, compassionate healthcare with on-site doctor consultations, essential medicines, simple diagnostics, and referrals for follow-up care. This helps with early detection and treatment, eases the burden on local clinics, and speeds recovery for the vulnerable who are unable who need it most, and who cannot afford medical expenses. Our target to do this - INR 1,00,000 ($2000AUD): Organising medical camps, including doctors’ fees, medicines, transportation, and related expenses.

We hope to conduct Fogging and Spraying Operations

If we raise the funds, we will prevent disease outbreaks by tackling mosquitoes and other vectors and by spraying and disinfecting affected areas. We will deploy fogging machines, apply disinfectants safely, and work with health authorities to maximise impact. We will help families feel safer as they return to their homes and livelihoods. Our target to do this - INR 50,000 ($1000AUD): Purchase of two fogging machines to reach affected areas efficiently.

Why your support matters

Every contribution directly fuels life-saving health interventions at a moment when timely care can mean the difference between a manageable setback, reduced exposure to both high risk infectious deadly diseases and a lifelong health burden. By funding medical camps and disease-control operations, you’re not just addressing immediate needs - we are helping to prevent outbreaks, protect families, especially children and the elderly, and restore dignity and hope to those who have lost so much, and who are particularly at risk due to malnutrition and poor immune resistance.

How you can help now

• Donate today to fund these two critical programs.

• Share this appeal with your networks to amplify impact.

• If you’re a business or a partner, perhaps you could sponsor one of the medical camps or a fogging session

Together, we can transform a challenging post-flood landscape into a pathway to health and resilience. Your generosity is a lifeline for families facing these dire circumstances.

Thank you for standing with us in this next phase of Love in Action. Please let me know directly if you are able to donate.

With love and thanks for your ongoing kindness, compassion, interest, and support.