My dear friends,
On the 1st of this month, our initiative, A BRIDGE Over Troubled Waters, completed nine years and stepped into its tenth year. This is a moment of joy for all of us associated with BRIDGE, an initiative that has quietly yet steadfastly carried out its mission of being a solid support to families who have lost their breadwinners.
One of the widows whose family was a beneficiary of BRIDGE, and who now runs a small tailoring shop employing two women, told me the other day, and I quote:
“Sir, if it weren’t for you, my children and I wouldn’t be alive today. With two children to take care of and another growing in my womb, the only option before me was to jump in front of a train or do something equally desperate after my husband died suddenly. Your assurance on one of those dark days—that you would stand with us—gave me a ray of hope to survive. Thank you for being part of our lives and helping us lead a life of dignity.”
Friends, she was only echoing what many others have told us during the course of this nine-year journey. Their words reassure us that the journey, however tough the terrain, has been worth it. Thank you to each one of you for travelling with our team over these years with your support—monetary and otherwise.
I know there are many more people who need similar support, and we are unable to reach them all, limited as we are by our resources of funds and time. But as I have always said, we are not here to change the world, we are here to change the world for those we can. On this occasion, I want to thank our fellow BRIDGE builders for making this effort possible.
Let me now update you on BRIDGE’s activities since my last mail.
There was a newly married young man, Prasad, aged 28, from Kottayam, Kerala. When he started working as a painter, his ageing father, a daily wage worker, thought he could finally rest, as his son was now able to bring home the bacon. But just a few months after his wedding, tragedy struck. On his way home from work, Prasad was knocked down by a car on a deserted stretch of the state highway. The driver fled, leaving him grievously injured. A few Good Samaritans rushed him to a hospital where he had to undergo a series of surgeries. He survived, but the family was left with a huge medical bill. A collection drive was organised, and BRIDGE too joined in, helping the family through the trauma. We hope that Prasad will be able to get back on his feet soon.
Another beneficiary was a mother of two who had to undergo surgery for thyroid cancer. The estimated cost of around ₹3 lakh was far beyond the family’s means. BRIDGE contributed along with other crowdfunding efforts, and the surgery was successfully completed. She has since been discharged, and doctors are optimistic about her recovery, though she will need regular follow-up checks to monitor for any recurrence.
We also supported Rajani from South Bangalore, a mother of a 10-year-old son and a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. For six months, she has been battling cancer and undergoing treatment at Kidwai Hospital. Coming from a very poor family, she desperately needed help for an urgent surgery. I am glad to share that BRIDGE contributed to her treatment, and she is now back home, though she will require a minor surgery later.
Another case brought to us was that of Gokul, a 20-year-old from an impoverished background in Bangalore. He was involved in a serious road accident that left him with grievous injuries to his face and body. He underwent reconstructive surgery at St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore, with medical expenses amounting to nearly ₹7 lakh—an impossible amount for his family. Once again, BRIDGE contributed its share and helped ease their burden.
We also contributed to the wedding expenses of two young women—one in Mumbai and another in Bangalore. Both had lost their fathers years ago. The girls expressed their heartfelt gratitude and happiness to us for standing by them at such a critical juncture in their lives.
In addition, we supported the fee payments of several students pursuing degree and vocational courses. They have performed well in their exams and proudly send us their mark sheets every semester.
I am also glad to share that we have found a sponsor for the girl from the Northeast whom I mentioned in my last mail. The situation in that region of our country remains very difficult, and we now have requests from two more students for whom we are seeking sponsors.
Once again, I thank all our benefactors who have been contributing generously towards the BRIDGE cause—sharing your time and your resources—so that our monthly support to families remains uninterrupted.
Please take good care of yourselves.
Thank you
Shibu
A BRIDGE Over Troubled Waters
The Anchor for the Anchorless
https://www.thebridgetrust.org
Ph: 9739218181; 080-26830545
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