Deliver disability care to 25000-rural Bangalore

Dear donors,

Greetings from Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society.

It gives us great joy to share how your support has helped people with disabilities in rural Bangalore live fullfilled and meaningful lives.  It is wonderful that you are part of this heart-warming mission that reaches out to people with disablities who would otherwise be excluded.  We are happy to inform you that with your support we have been able to: 

1. Support four persons to receive government entitlements such as the national identity card, modified footwear, disability pension, self-employment, and a modified toilet at home.
2. Provide lower limb prosthesis and assistive device to 2 children
3. Support six children with intellectual/learning disability to receive much needed therapy 
4. Motivate a mother with child with intellectual disability to start a livelihood activity to support her family. 

Thank you for partnering with us.

No more crawling!

28-year old Manoj is now upbeat and full of dreams! Once he overcame his mobility challenges with your support, he has begun to think big; now he feels the sky is the limit!

For Manoj and many others like him, just building a toilet next to his home and helping him obtain a national disability identity card turned his life around. It gave him eligibility to obtain a two-wheeler through a government scheme. He no longer goes to the field to relieve himself, which not only made life easier, but also restored his dignity. Obtaining a two-wheeler gave him the independence and the boldness to accept a job 35 kms. from his home. Consequently, his status in society changed and he was able to find a bride and get married. Even the smallest contribution can bring significant changes to people’s lives.  

It's incredible to listen to Manoj's story; considering that a few years back, he thought his life would only be sitting at home. It’s unbelieveable!

"Since I was paralyzed below my waist, I had to use both my hands to literally crawl to the fields to relieve myself. During the rainy season, my hands used to be covered with mud and I used to drag myself blindly in the dark.” Manoj is a victim of polio and is one of four siblings. "I had great support from my family, teachers and friends that helped me complete my studies," says Manoj. Working today at a bank call centre, Manoj is the breadwinner for his family. However, riding 35 kms every day to work is proving to be a challenge and we are helping him find a job closer to his home.

Bubbly Lavanya is back

Seven-year-old Lavanya is a lively little girl with a sweet disposition and a contagious zest for life. She has won many hearts at our Learning Hub. We are so delighted over her progress, and her parents are over the moon. Your support has brought dramatic changes in little Lavanya's life.

"Like all other couples expecting their first child, my husband and I dreamt about the arrival of our first born. However, within a day of her birth, our dreams were shattered. Our baby girl was born with anamolies that would cause delay in her growth and development. We were in and out of many hospitals and finally learnt that our daughter has intellectual disability with congenital heart complications" says Lavanya's mother, Sashikala.

When Lavanya came to our Learning Hub, she was stubborn, troublesome and had behavioural and speech difficulties. After behaviour and speech therapy, we see a different little girl now," says Sudha, our psychologist at the Learning Hub. 

"Now she can do all her daily activities independently; brushing her teeth, dressing up, eating, toileting – Lavanya does it all by herself. My little girl recently participated in a dance and fashion show competition, and won prizes," says the proud mother

Inspired by her daughter's progress, Sashikala undertook a short special education training, which not only helps her child, but also other children in her community. “Now that I have completed my training, I work at the Learning Hub, helping other mothers. This is extremely satisfying" says Sashikala.

Thank you for your wonderful support. It inspires us to go on. The need is huge, but we are confident that with your partnership and encouragement, we can continue to reach out to more people with disabilities. We appreciate your continued support.

Do you feel inspired? Please do share this report among your family and friends.

With gratitude,

Gift Norman