It’s been a few weeks since we last updated you with some Project help news. Over April our team has enjoyed a much needed slowing down of pace. After the intensity of the SHINE women’s empowerment conferences we are still on a high after the success and stories of positive impact in the lives of the women who attended. Earlier this month, and spring-boarding off the back of SHINE we launched a new tailoring - but more of this for another email.
Introducing Suhail - check out his smile!
Just this week I was delighted to read about one of our students of our Disability Centre. It is with great pleasure that I introduce Suhail to you. I was moved to tears when I read his story. Our Project Help Disability Centre has given Suhail his first ever opportunity to attend a school – to be educated, stimulated by games and stories, make friends and to have people beyond his immediate family, who love and care for him.
Suhail is from a Muslim family. His father is a fruit seller and his mother is a housewife. He has 3 sisters and 4 brothers and he is the youngest of the siblings. Together, they all live in what is described as a “clumsy” slum house with just 2 bare brick rooms, on the side of a river.
Suhail suffered badly of jaundice as a baby. He had various internal and external complications resulting in him being bed ridden since birth. He has never been able to sit up straight due to the twisting of his arms and legs. His mother described to our Project Officer;
…some people in our community say that he is curse for the family and some people say he looks horrible. All the savings of the family have been used in his treatment, now we are in debt because of his medication which is still going on for his betterment. Suhail wished to go to school one day, but none of them have given him a chance to come and learn as they say they are not for a special child like him. This is his first school! He is happy that at least some one is there with whom he could talk or who spends time with him.
Suhail now attends classes each week and sometimes his teacher from Project Help visits him at home to help with his tuition and exercises. It has been said that he has changed since people have shown an interest in him and his smile reflects his happiness.
How precious is this! I just can’t imagine how a child can live for 14 years without the connection and sense of belonging and value that a school provides. His story reminds me that my hard work for the cause of Project Help is worth every effort (complete understatement!!). I thank all of our Australian supporters for your generosity. Because of this you’ve made this beautiful boy smile, and I hope it warms your heart. Thank you again.
A COVID-19 update
The situation in India has escalated over the past week with over 200 000 new infections (and rising) across the nation. Just last week, only 100km away from Kotdwara was the Kumbh Mela religious festival (see link if you’d like to see some incredible footage). The lack of social distancing is frightening. Subsequently, there have been grave concerns raised over the spread of COVID in the region. Kotdwara and many other towns have shut their borders, preventing people from travelling into the city, and there is a 9pm to 5am curfew at night AND a full day curfew on a Sunday.
Because of some infections in Kotdwara, our schools we have reduced numbers of students attending each day, with rotating time-tables across the week. Worksheets and activities are being sent home to our students. We are spending extra funds on the thorough cleaning of our offices and classrooms. There is fear expressed that further lockdowns will push some beyond coping - with many people at breaking point due to loss of income and the impact of mental health issues.
Over the coming weeks our team will be strategic and plan for scenarios that we hope will never eventuate. We will collaborate with local authorities through all of this. In fact, we are leading much of the community response efforts! Please pray for the safety and protection of our staff and the many vulnerable people who we work with.
Where we work in Kotdwara, Bijnor and Chandigarh the fear is very real and the needs are very real. Yet in this we have the privilege of working alongside people bringing help, life and hope to the poorest of the poor …not to mention bringing some smiles to people like Suhail.
In Australia – let’s keep the perspective and never forget to count our blessings.
If you can help us financially, please do so. As you can see, the impact of your donation is significant. We can’t do any of this without you.