Jeevan Sparsh - December 2017

Jeevan Sparsh Touching Lives

Where Hope Begins Issue 39 | November 2017

Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 1

Contents 1

From the National Director

Page 2

7

A Mobile World

Page 8

2

The Pinnacle of a Girl’s Dream

Page 3

8

Why Sponsorship is a ‘Very Good Investment’?

Page 9

4

Going the Distance

Page 6

5 Glimpses of Our Work in Unnao ADP in 2016 Page 7 6 HungerFree - Page 7

Help End Hunger and Malnutrition

9 Thiruvananthapuram Partners’ Meet Page 9 10

Responding to Dual Disasters- Drought and Floods

Page 10

11

Where Are They Now?

Page 11

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3 A Letter from a Sponsor to His Child Page 5

Contact us : indiasponsors@wvi.org Toll Free : 1 800 425 4550 | +91 44 2480 7070 | 44 4288 7070 16, VOC Main Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai 600 024

From the National Director

Dear Partner, Simran has truly made us proud.

A judo champion representing our nation in the international arena, she left no stone unturned to reach this level.

While we are proud of children like Simran, we are equally proud of sponsors like you who make their dreams – both big and small - come true. It is because of sponsorship that children develop aspirations and find the confidence and courage to achieve them.

For Palak, it was the simple dream of a wheelchair. But it meant a world of difference to her! As she sums it, “this wheelchair has really been a big Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 2

gift for me. It feels so nice to be able to move faster and to be on my own.”

As a World Vision India Child Sponsor, you’re doing much more than you could imagine. The joy and optimism that your generosity creates in the lives of children can never be fully measured.

As you browse through this magazine, you’ll get to read a loving letter from a sponsor to his sponsored child. So be prepared to take a stroll down memory lane from the time you first started sponsoring a child!

And if you ask Girland and Sajit about their experience of child sponsorship, you would find that

their response would warm the hardest heart.

At this juncture, I would also like to express my gratitude to all our donors, who have made it possible for us to provide life-saving and other critical supplies to 4,65,769 people affected by natural disasters in this year.

Wishing you peace and prosperity!

Warm regards,

Cherian Thomas, National Director and CEO World Vision India

The Pinnacle of a Girl’s Dream Child sponsorship helps a young girl become a judo champion

The countdown was getting near.

Clad in a blue judogi, Simran’s strong hands were tightly gripping her opponent’s and her feet fixed firm on the ground. She quickly made her next move and pinned her opponent to the ground. She was trying her best to hold her grip. Just when it was getting harder, the referee blew the whistle to call it a game.

This was it! It was the moment when 16-year-old Simran from the Indian state of Haryana had just won her country the bronze medal in the Asian Junior Judo Championship.

Back at home in Haryana, Simran’s grandmother, Rajwati, was leaping with joy, clapping her hands, jumping from one person to another giving them a tight hug.

Rajwati’s relationship with Simran

“When Simran was born, I kept crying.

But today, I’m rejoicing because of her.”

used to be different. She was disappointed when Simran was born, to an extent that she didn’t touch Simran for a month after she was born. The reason behind Rajwati’s disappointment was the fact that Simran was the third girl child in the family.

But something changed over the years. “When Simran was born, I kept crying. But today, I’m rejoicing because of her,” says Rajwati.

Although Simran and her sister, Rekha, showed keen interest in judo since the time they began learning the sport, their father Manoj didn’t pay much attention to their passion.

“I always thought judo was a hobby for both my daughters since they were learning it at school. When Simran and Rekha got selected for a national level tournament, they invited me to the game. That was the first time I got inspired to let them take their passion forward. I never turned back after 2010,” says Manoj.

From crying to laughter, from being casual to being supportive, there was a huge change in the attitudes and perception of Simran’s family

towards her. “When I was in the fourth standard, a judo coach joined our school and began teaching us the sport. My sister, Rekha, first excelled in judo and she won several medals in inter-school and district level tournaments. I used to feel bad when she didn’t share her medals with me. That’s when I began paying more attention to the sport and started enjoying it. I also began winning tournaments in the district as well as the state level.

In six months, I got selected for the national level judo tournament in Ujjain and so did Rekha,”shares Simran.

Holding Rekha’s hand, Simran says, “My sister would have also been selected for the Asian championship, but unfortunately she got injured in her leg and was unable to make it in the selection.”

“Throughout my journey from the beginning till now, World Vision India supported me and my family,” says Simran, a World Vision India sponsored child.

“Anita, a World Vision India staff member, encouraged us to take our passion forward and become Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 3

professional judo players. My mother and grandmother joined the Self Help Group (SHG) in our community.

The sensitisation programmes to sensitise both men and women about the importance of the girl child truly helped my parents and grandmother understand my sister’s and my dreams,” she added.

“Both my elder sisters were married off after they turned 18 years old, but now my parents have decided not to get me married till I wish to.

They know I want to build my career in judo,” says a pleased Simran.

Her present coach, Navin Chauhan, says “Simran finishes her game in 30 seconds to a minute while a normal fight lasts for about 5 minutes. She has reached a higher stage and I’m

sure she’ll go a long way.”

Simran is determined to make judo her career. When asked what her ultimate goal is, Simran confidently says, “It is my dream to play in the Olympics and become a world-class judo player.”

Simran’s victory at the Asian Judo Junior Championship was not only acknowledged by her family and friends, but also the Chief Minister of Haryana who visited Simran’s home to congratulate her on her victory.

A community group called ‘Basti Vikash Society’ formed by women in the community with World Vision India’s help also acknowledged Simran’s victory and gifted her Rs. 21,000.

What Simran has accomplished is not for her alone. Her accomplishment has set an example for the entire community. There are many young girls who are now dreaming big because of her,” says Anita. She adds, “Simran and her

Simran won the bronze medal in the Asian Junior Judo Championship.

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sister Rekha are also hopeful to train other children from this community in judo.”

While narrating how she felt when she won the bronze medal at the Asian Judo Junior Championship,

“

What Simran has accomplished is not for her alone.

Her accomplishment has set an example for the entire community, There are many young girls who are now dreaming big because of her.

“

Simran shares a very special bond with her sponsor. After she won the bronze medal at the international level, she wrote to her sponsor thanking them for their support all along. Simran remembers the little things the sponsor gifted her and how the help has motivated her to achieve great things in life.

Simran said, “I got awfully upset when I won the bronze medal because I was aiming for the gold, yet I was only motivated to practise more and play better at the next tournament.”

Concluding it all, she said with her broad smile, “I’m obsessed with judo!

I can give my life for it.”

wi l l e w d n a t o pped at i s ha, s A Letter from s i g n n i a t t M e Dear ect i s g t o par t , but t h ir l j o r P a h s a Sponsor to nA sad t le g a it y v l r e l e e u v J f i e e t b a bea u and t h It wi l l re His Child I underst ected anymore. d move on. Y ou as he reason we we ve The connection between a sponsor and be c onn d t o accept an ar ts and were t we may n ot ha t o n child is the heart of child sponsorship our he h o u gh we n e e e go l ife and ars ago t ouched l l t hese years. T our pr ogress. W any ye W or ld V i sion a n l y obser vi ng y en ver y happ y m o s What’s so unique in connecting a wit h v e be n kee a e d h e e b ver y t d c e n a e v a o n a n s t h n child with a caring sponsor? d i co e r w a p c d much, and pr ogress or you t o gr o w u l y. O ur e t c a r e t in r letters you. We wi sh f ot hers p o sit ive t you wi l l From cute little babies to shy school u o y h g u t hr o children to confident teenagers rd fr om luence and he l p y c onf i dent t ha beta. a e h e w r and youngsters, sponsorship gives w heneve person and i nf and we are ver r oud. Take care, you the privilege of watching your f-re l i ant al ways be t here nd t he nat ion p l e s sponsored child grow before wi l l iet y a blessi ngs parents, your soc your eyes. r make you It takes you on a journey, scarcely g ard s , unexciting. And truly, words and e r d n a e letters of encouragement from W it h l ov na and Jenny sponsors work wonders in the jit , Bee a S young lives in mysterious ways.

Sponsor Last month, Sajit’s 8-year long journey with Manisha, his sponsored child, took a surprising turn.

He got the information that the Jeevan Asha project, to which his sponsored child belongs, is coming to a close.

Project closure is a bittersweet experience to our sponsors.

Having cherished a bond with

the child for many years, a closure is hard to accept.

But a project closure means that your sponsorship contribution over the years has yielded fruits. The community is empowered and the local leaders are more than happy to shoulder the new responsibility of continuing to provide a better world for their children.

Here’s a loving letter from Sajit to his sponsored child Manisha that we thought you’d love to read, as much as we did.

Sp onsore d chi ld Manisha Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 5

Going the Distance Gifts of wheelchairs and toilets make a world of difference to children with disability

“It was until last year, that I had to use a wooden stick to go to school.

Most of the time, my mother had to carry me everywhere. But I’m very happy that I have this wheelchair now,” says 12-year-old Palak.

Palak is a spirited, young girl from a small village in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. She lives with her grandmother Vidyavati, mother Sunita and three siblings, Raj, Rithik and Payal.

“I am very happy because now my children fall sick less often.”

Palak is currently studying in class 6 and dreams of becoming a doctor someday. “I want to be able to treat people and help them,” says Palak.

“Even when my sponsor asks me in the letters, I tell them that I want

to become a doctor. My sponsor enquires a lot about me in the letters. I feel special that someone is so concerned about my health and well-being. We remember receiving gifts like a sewing machine, gas chulha and cupboard from my sponsor,” says Palak.

Palak was born with a physical disability. Her hips weren’t strong enough. Her parents took her to various doctors, but nothing could be done.

“I’ve to help her with most things around the house and outside as well. But she’s a very understanding girl as she knows that I have to look after her siblings as well. She tries to help me in small ways. She’s also very smart and I’m happy that she studies on her own,” says her mother Sunita.

Palak’s father works as a shopkeeper in Punjab and visits them only twice or thrice in a year. But he is very attached to his daughters. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t speak to them over the phone.

“He can come only in January and during summer to see us, that’s why I miss him a lot,” says Palak, her eyes brimming with tears. “This wheelchair has really been a big gift for me,” says Palak. “It feels so nice to be able to move faster and to be on my own.” Moreover, Palak’s house was provided with a toilet, as part of World Vision India’s work to address

Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 6

the issue of open defecation.

“I am grateful that we have toilets in our village. Palak is also growing up and so this toilet has come at the right time,” says Sunita

“Because we have a toilet at home, my children are free to relieve themselves whenever they want to.

I don’t have to always accompany them or worry about their safety.

It was very difficult and uncomfortable for me to take Palak far away, so she used to use the courtyard of our house to relieve herself. I didn’t realise that this was also affecting our general health.

Now that we have our own toilet, I no longer have to worry about these things. It is a big relief! I am very happy because now my children fall sick less often and they have been trained to wash their hands immediately,” says Sunita cheerfully.

Glimpses of our work in Unnao ADP in 2016 1372 people were sensitised

NO CHILD DESERVES TO GO TO BED HUNGRY

on the ill-effects of open defecation in 10 selected villages covering 1826 households.

170 toilets were built in 6 villages in Unnao district.

India ranks 100 among 119 countries

on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) indicating alarming hunger levels.

But we believe a #HungerFree India is possible.

Wheelchairs were provided to

43 people with disabilities

through the Wheelchair Access Project.

Considering the occurrence of diarrhoea in the communities,

1296 care givers and mothers were sensitised to

identify various symptoms of diarrhoea and were encouraged to seek treatment from appropriate health facilities rather than from traditional healers.

Follow our work

facebook.com/worldvisionindia instagram.com/worldvisionindia

Each of us can make a difference. And together, we can make a bigger impact towards curbing malnutrition among children.

World Vision India is a proven and dedicated partner in the fight to end hunger and malnutrition— even in the hard to reach places.

Join us in our fight against hunger and malnutrition.

How you can join and make a difference Give up Food brightens our day, gives us joy and is centre of our celebrations. But what if you choose to forego your food for a day? Just so, you can donate to someone who is in need of food!

Alternatively, you can give up private transportation or mobile (technology) for 24 hours. Or else, give up a day’s salary!

Donate Donate what you’ve saved to World Vision India’s hunger-free campaign so your sacrifice reaches children in need.

www.hungerfreeindia.in youtube.com/worldvisionindiaweb twitter.com/wvindia

Spread the word Share on social media. Your action might encourage your friends too!

celebratinglife.worldvision.in

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A Mobile World Partnering with corporate entities in unique and effective ways

World Vision India, in partnership with Ford – Better World Project, launched a Mobile Library and a Mobile Clinic to provide children and adults with improved knowledge and health services.

years against rubella and measles.

Overall 11,659 children and adults were benefitted through various camps and awareness programmes on nutrition, health and WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene).

Mobile Clinic

Mobile Library The Mobile Clinic aims to provide health services to people in need.

Children and their families in remotely located villages cannot access quality health services owing to difficult geographical terrain and road connectivity. The Mobile Clinic runs in partnership with the Government Health Department and has been involved in vaccination campaigns and has so far helped vaccinate 3104 children from 16 villages in the age group of 10–15

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The Mobile Library provides children in government schools across Chennai with access to library and also provides awareness on various issues like child rights and WASH. The adolescent girls are also sensitised on reproductive health and nutrition. In total, 14,915 children and adults were benefitted through the use of mobile library and the various awareness campaigns.

Why Sponsorship is a ‘Very Good Investment’ A visit helps you understand the difference you’re making through sponsorship

World Vision India Child Sponsor Girland and his family had a chance to visit their four sponsored children in Bangalore for the first time.

Having received a warm welcome from the families, they got to hear from the children, their families and other community members about the work that World Vision India is doing. Then the sponsor took them out for lunch and had a heartfelt conversation with them.

In the words of Girland, “We met the children that we sponsor and various other children too. We are all very extremely pleased to see how well the children are being brought up and looked after by both their families and World Vision India. And we think that it’s a very, very good investment in these young kids’ future. We look forward to continuing our involvement with the programmes

and obviously increasing the number of children we sponsor.

And we are very appreciative of all the work that World Vision is doing, the volunteers that they have and the very dedicated staff that they have that contribute to these children’s well-being.”

To listen to Girland, visit http://bit.ly/wvspvisit

Thiruvananthapuram Partners’ Meet An opportunity to connect T.V Matthew | Project Manager

While we encourage every sponsor to meet his or her sponsored child in person and see and experience firsthand, the impact of their support in the life of the child, the child’s family and community,

it may not be possible for all our sponsors.

In order to give sponsors an experience that they can cherish for a lifetime and get a deeper insight into the work of World Vision India in the communities, we organise Partners’ Meets at

different locations across the country.

The Partners’ Meet held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 23rd September, 2017, received an overwhelming response. Over 50 sponsors along with their friends and family members were thrilled to watch the performance by children, listen to what the children and the communities had to say and were inspired and encouraged by listening to what other sponsors felt about helping children in need.

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Responding to Dual Disasters - Drought and Floods Providing life-saving supplies in hard to reach places and tough times

Over the past few months, many parts of India have been facing a disaster situation. Some parts of the country were facing water scarcity and drought early this year; and there are areas that are reeling under floods caused by monsoon rains.

World Vision India responded to both disasters with immediate relief supplies and recovery interventions.

building water tubs for livestock, etc.

Through the drought response, World Vision India reached out to

“The biggest problem is water scarcity during the summer season.

We have just sown seeds and are praying for a good monsoon. During the monsoons I grow different crops, but during the summer, I have to forget farming. But if I don’t work, I will not be able to provide for my family. This food material provided

3,68,000 people in five states

Drought Response World Vision India’s immediate relief package for the droughtaffected areas included distribution of one-month dry ration kits, distribution and installation of water tanks for communities and individuals, installation, repairing and reviving of bore wells and hand pumps, conducting cash-for-work programmes to curtail distress migration of farmers, deepening of ponds, wells and other water bodies,

by World Vision India will help provide food to my family for the time being,” said Lakshman, father of seven-year-old Renika, a sponsored child.

across the country.

Flood Response Since late July, World Vision India has been responding to the floodhit regions of the country including some of the remotest villages in Mizoram. Apart from distribution of one month’s dry ration to affected families, World Vision India also held health and hygiene awareness programmes for communities, in order for them to safeguard themselves and their children from water-borne diseases.

Neha is a sponsored child and studies in the 5th standard. “When the flood water came, our mattress was soaked and we couldn’t sleep in the house. We had to go to the road,” she said. Neha and her family later moved to a relief camp that was set up by the government.

Neha shared that the most difficult thing about living in a relief camp is access to food.

Her grandfather was so relieved to see help come from World Vision India. “We are so happy that World Vision India has given us food,” he said.

World Vision India has so far reached out to 97,769 people in Assam,

Mizoram, West Bengal and Bihar.

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Where are they now?

Formerly sponsored child, Bheemaraya, is now a Design Engineer

“When I was pursuing my schooling, my father did not have income to even fulfil basic needs such as note books, bags or shoes. I was just dreaming of getting educated and earn an income, but I didn’t have the hope or confidence.

A sponsor came into my life at the right time. Through World Vision India, I received all educational support. This boosted my

confidence to achieve success” says Bheemaraya.

Bheemaraya hails from a village in Kalaburgi district, Karnataka. Thanks to child sponsorship, his village was supported with drinking water facilities, children were given access to good education, roads were laid, agricultural support was provided to farmers and entrepreneurs were given financial support. Skill

trainings were given to women and many women were able to start their own career.

“Today I am a Design Engineer in Ansaldo STS - A Hitachi Group Company. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and motivation from my sponsor and World Vision India,” says Bheemaraya.

Have trouble keeping up with your contributions every month?

Opt for a hassle-free payment experience!

The Online Standing Instruction (SI) helps sponsored children and their communities receive their regular sponsorship gift on time.

••••••••••• •••••••••••

Register your Standing Instruction now.

All it takes are two simple steps.

It’s simple! And just like any other transaction with World Vision India this mode of payment is highly secure.

Step one:

Step two:

Log on to the My World page (www.worldvision.in/login) with your username and password.

Click ‘Autopay’ on the left hand side of the web page.

Please note that this option is currently available only for Indian credit card holders.

You can unsubscribe your registration at any point of time and continue with other modes of payment.

Jeevan Sparsh | Issue 39 | 11

Education Support For Dhanush Amount – Rs. 72,800 Project Location – Coimbatore

Dhanush Kumar hails from Coimbatore. He lives with his parents and younger brother. His father, Murugan, suffers from kidney failure and is undergoing dialysis for the last two years.This affects his work as a goldsmith. His mother, Jayanthi, is a housewife.

Dhanush is currently pursuing an engineering course (B.E. Mechanical, third year). He has to pay his annual tuition fee of Rs. 72,800. Since his father is not in a position to work properly and the family is struggling to make ends meet, his education is at stake.

However, your support will make a difference.You can help Dhanush continue his studies and look forward to a bright future.

Real Gifts is World Vision India’s crowd-funding platform.You can donate towards any gift you wish to. Other donors like you will add to your contribution until the complete gift amount is met.

Gift now and make a difference Gift ID

Donation Required

My Contribution

Education Support for Dhanush

2551

` 72,800

Education Support for Dilip

2570

` 56,000

Address __________________________ ________________________________

Equip Anganwadi Centre in Jorhat

2474

` 23,520

________________ Pincode _________

Food for Children in Clara Olive Polio Home

2581

` 61,600

Livelihood Assistance to Sudakar

2404

` 44,800

Reverse Osmosis for a Primary School

2614

` 67,200

Books and Notebooks for Children in Bellary

2338

` 50,400

Coaching Classes for 35 10th Standard Students

2456

` 63,000

Clothes for 80 Children in Krishnagiri Polio Home

2452

` 48,000

Education Support for Govardhan

2518

` 50,400

Personal Details Partner ID ________________________ Mr./Mrs./Ms. _______________________

Phone (M)___________ (O)___________ (R) _______________ DoB ___/___/___ Email ____________Nationality_______ Credit Card I would like to use

Name of Bank _______________________________ Card No. _______ _______ _______ _______ Name (as on card) _______________________________ Date of Birth ___/___/___ Card Expiry Date ___/___/___

Total

Signature: Enclosing my [ ] Cheque or [ ] DD Rs. ____________ /-

* Note

If the particular need is already fulfilled by the time you gift, your money will be directed to other similar needs and you will be informend of the same. You will receive a report on how your support is impacting lives.

Donation amount mentioned above is inclusive of the 12% overhead cost.

(in favour of World Vision India)

To contribute online,

Visit: worldvision.in/realgifts

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Gift Description

SAVE 80G