Deliver disability care to 25000-rural Bangalore

Dear donor,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society.

It’s a great delight to report on the progress made on our disability care initiative that you have so graciously supported. We greatly appreciate your support and acknowledge your love and care that brings hope to many people living with disabilities in our communities.

Hope returns!

Every day, we see progress in our children at our two learning hubs (Devanahalli and Doddabalapura). Pop into our learning hubs (and you must), and you’d be rewarded with a heart-warming sight. A little girl of four reaches her therapy class along with her mother, takes off her tiny slippers and places them neatly on the rack outside. She is one among the 100 odd sparkling gems registered at our learning hubs.

5-year old Venilla who has cerebral palsy is showing miraculous progress. Living in a small village called Doddasanne in Devanahalli Taluk, her mother found it extremely difficult to bring her for therapy. With a poor public transport system to her village, Venilla’s mother walks 2 kms carrying her and gets a bus to our hub. She is a beacon of grit and determination. After two years of patient and regular speech and physiotherapy, Venilla has improved significantly; able to sit, stand and walk without support; she can also talk fairly well now. Her mother is overjoyed with Venilla’s progress.

For the first time, the children from the learning hubs were taken for an outing to a National Wildlife Park. The trip along with their mothers filled them with unlimited fun, joy, and happiness. (Photographs are attached).

You might remember little Srisha whom you have been supporting, has progressed tremendously. She can now sit and stand without support, which was impossible a year ago. She can also happily call out "mummy and daddy". Her mother who is also a trainer in our learning hub is simply elated.

And while we celebrate their continual progress and hopeful future, we also recognize that there are many more children who need support to overcome their disabilities.  We need to reach out to them. The good news is that change is afoot - because of you, hopefully, many more lives will be touched through your generosity.

Just like Venilla, we have been able to help the following children with your support:

• 11-year old Pavan received his disability identity card and AFO (Ankle Foot Orthosis)
• 5-year old Mohammed  received his disability identity card
• 8-year old Yashaswini received special education and speech therapy
• 5-year old Amulya received special education and speech therapy
• 5-year old Ananya received speech therapy, behavior therapy, and special education
• 8-year Akshay  received special education, speech therapy, and physiotherapy
• 10-year old Rahul received special education and speech therapy
• 9-year old Yashoda received special education, speech therapy, and behavior therapy
• 10-year old Vidya’s mother is undergoing special education training

Good times, ahead!

A tragic accident turned Lokesh’s life upside down! He was bedridden. "He couldn’t work and we were forced to sell all our possessions to get our daughter married.   Penniless, my husband became worried and restless” narrated his wife.

For Lokesh, a native of Kannamangala village, his wife and four children meant the world to him. “On several nights I felt a strong urge to end my life. I could not sleep peacefully. However, a new beginning was in store for us when we visited the Mother Teresa Rural Hospital. Thankfully, they referred us to their Wellness Health clinic at Devanahalli.”

“It was a different experience at the clinic. They were friendly and listened to my problems.  I opened up to my counselor and started on the treatment she suggested. Gradually, I learned to let go of my fears, sadness, and thoughts of ending life. I started to believe that my sickness was treatable and with their help and guidance, I can begin a new chapter in my life. I am now a regular visitor to the clinic and I feel much more in control now.

Recently, I opened a small convenience store that sells some essentials and eatables. However, the income was barely sufficient to meet my family’s needs. Thankfully the Bangalore Baptist Hospital supported me to buy a wider range of items to stock. Our lives have moved forward since. The people at the wellness clinic helped me turn my life around. For Lokesh, good times are ahead!

Just like Lokesh, through you, we have supported the following people:

• 52-year old Ramesh received disability card, pension and AFO enabling him to be independent
• 45-year old Thimmarayappa received disability card and pension entitling him other government benefits and a monthly income.
• 68-year old Jhanardhan received disability card and we have also helped to apply for a monthly pension.

It’s your thoughtfulness that is helping us to deliver the care and compassion to the poor and persons living with a disability. All this would not have been possible without your support. Thank you.

 With gratitude,

Gift Norman