End of Year News

As an organisation, we are filled with optimism and expectation for our hopes and plans for 2026. Rowena and I (Doug) will be heading to India in just six weeks to visit our centres, deliver training, strategic planning, and, most excitingly, to join our teams in Zira (Punjab) and Kotdwara (Uttarakhand) for two SHINE Women’s Empowerment Conferences coinciding with International Women’s Day 2026. It will be wonderful to be back with dear friends and our second family after postponing our trip last year due to my health.

December was a time of purposeful busyness and Christmas celebrations

We held our Annual Function on 14 December, providing an opportunity to showcase the talents of many of our students, to honour each member of our staff, and to invite local dignitaries to thank them for their support and to build trust, partnerships, and ongoing support. The event was a great success. A particular highlight was the variety of cultural dances performed by our students, including performances from our Disability Centre.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters across the year, we were able to budget funds for Christmas gifts for all of our staff and students. Each of our 14 Centres and Women’s Centre held Christmas parties, much to the delight of the kids -many of whom live in poverty and this is their only chance to experience Christmas and hear the message it brings.

December also gave us the opportunity to thank God for the full recovery and good health of baby Samuel (Saleem and Raman’s son in Punjab), who is now out of hospital and putting on weight. Thank you again to those who contributed to his medical bills (there is no free health care in India).

Finally, we are thrilled to share the exciting news about Amit’s award. On 31 December, our Director, Mr. Amit Samuel, was presented with a Human Rights Award for “Best Service to Humanity,” recognising our organisation’s tireless work. The award program was organised by the Indian International Human Rights Commission (IHRC). We are honoured to receive such national recognition for Amit and for the work we do. Here's a LINK to the full story

We start the new year with an enormous sense of gratitude

Thank you for reading and for supporting our work. Over the coming weeks we will share stories about our upcoming SHINE Conferences. One of our hopes (and dreams) is to partner with an Australian corporate, or school sponsor to help fund our SHINE Conferences, with a goal of securing a $12,000 AUD donation to cover expenses. Please share our emails with those who might like to align their corporate or workplace values with Project Help India and International Women’s Day 2026.

A practical ask to keep us thriving in 2026: consider making a regular monthly donation. Regular gifts help us with planning and budgeting, ensuring we can reliably fund SHINE Conferences, staff support, essential programs across all 14 Centres, and provision for emergency and crisis help. Your ongoing commitment makes a real difference. Please reach out to us if you can help or like further information.

‘Best Service to Humanity’ Award - what a great way to end 2025!

Project Help India Director receiving a ‘Best Service to Humanity’ Award at the Indian International Human Rights Commission of India ceremony on December 31st.

We are proud to share, in a heartening recognition of our efforts, that the Director of Project Help India, Mr. Amit Samuel, was presented with a Human Rights Award ‘Best Service to Humanity’, honouring our organisation’s tireless work. The award program was organised by the Indian International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) on 31st December at the Government Hospital auditorium in Kotdwara, with the event gathering social workers, police, officials, and medical professionals from across the state who share a steadfast commitment to human dignity and justice.

The Indian International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), an autonomous non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting, promoting, and advocating for fundamental rights across India, plays a pivotal role in strengthening human rights at the grassroots and national levels. IHRC advances its mission through a comprehensive portfolio: providing accessible legal aid, conducting independent investigations into rights violations, and supporting marginalised communities with education, research, and social justice initiatives. It also runs awareness campaigns, trains community advocates, and collaborates with civil society, law enforcement, and judicial bodies to improve accountability and access to justice.

Across India, IHRC supports vulnerable groups, from women and children to persons with disabilities and marginalised communities -through legal clinics, helplines, and targeted outreach. Its policy advocacy work seeks to influence legislative reform and strengthen enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that rights are not merely theoretical but practically protected for all citizens.

As an organisation, we are thrilled to be commended by an institution whose national mission aligns so closely with our own vision and mission to serve the vulnerable with compassion and effectiveness.

We take this opportunity to also honour and commend the tireless efforts, passion, and vision of our Director, Amit Samuel, and his wife Daisy, who are both well deserving of this recognition. Thank you, Amit and Daisy, for all you do to help the poor and needy, and for being our inspiring leaders.

This award is indeed significant news for the Project Help India team, our supporters and community. This acknowledgement certainly wrapped up a very successful 2025 for us all, spurring us on with God's great guidance, to expand our work to reach and impact more lives in need, over the new year ahead.

Thank you for your generous financial support and prayers - none of this would be possible without you.

See the local news item below.

Amit (third from right with some of the other award recipients.

A Slum Kid Radio Adventure

Some of the children from the Aaj Ladpura slum in Bijnor recently had an unforgettable experience when they were invited as special guests to FM 89.6 Radio. For many of them, it was the first time stepping inside a real recording studio -bright lights, big microphones, and the thrill of being “on air”! Their excitement was contagious as they shared their stories with the station’s anchor in a warm and lively conversation.

During the interview, the children spoke proudly about the education they receive through Project Help India. They described the learning centre as a place where they feel inspired, encouraged, and genuinely happy. “We enjoy going to the centre,” one child said with a beaming smile. “We learn so many things, and we get gifts and snacks too!”

What stood out most was how confidently they expressed the ways their intellectual development is flourishing. The children talked about being challenged in their studies, discovering new ideas, and growing in confidence -a testament not only to their hard work but also to the dedication of their teachers and the credibility of Project Help India. In Ladpura and across the wider city of Bijnor, our organisation is known for its reliable, compassionate presence and its commitment to transforming young lives through quality education.

For these children, the radio visit was more than just a fun outing -it was a celebration of how far they’ve come, and a reminder to the community of the bright potential waiting to be unlocked in every child. We pray that for these kids, the experience helps them to have a personal vision for a bright future and to have high aspirations for their achievements in life. Over the years we have seen many slum kids exceed way beyond everything they could have expected, and to use their challenging circumstances to build grit, determination and resilience.

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.

Postscript… Friday 17th November

Thank you to those who were able to help Tanya. Her surgery was very successful. There was one complication at the time, with the hospital not having enough blood. However a member of our team donated blood - and all went well. Tanya and her family are incredibly grateful. They certainly were not expecting this outcome, as things were looking very dire.

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.