Dear friends,
Here’s wishing you all a very happy new year!
BRIDGE has had a few busy months and I am happy to report to you that during these months we have been able to bring smiles on the faces of several persons. While I would have liked to share with you a detailed account of what we did during December and January, for sake of brevity, I shall try to make it quick.
Family of Ajeesh
We came across a family who lost its breadwinner in an accident in October 2016 in Kerala. This 33-year-old was the only earning member in a family that consisted of his wife, two children (aged 6 and 5 months), his mother and an elder brother who is confined to bed following a stroke. I visited this family in late December wondering how to console them in their hour of distress. But what greeted me was a family dignified in grief and maintaining an unwavering trust in God. They are not sure what the future holds for them except their faith reflected in his mom’s words: “If God wanted the tragedy to happen, He will see us through the rest of our lives”. The bed-ridden brother needs medicines worth Rs 3,000 a month, of which Rs 1,000 is subsidised by a charity there. Children need care. A few neighbours have offered some financial support. The local MLA has organised a temporary peon’s job for the wife in a school as an attender. But this is just not enough to make both ends meet. BRIDGE has made a small contribution of Rs 15,000. We will be monitoring the progress of the family and will decide on further course of action. (See pictures of Ajeesh’s mom and child and Ajeesh’s brother).
Dialysis Assistance
I was approached last month by the wife of Prasad (aged around 32) who is undergoing dialysis. Both his kidneys are dysfunctional. The cost of dialysis for a month (twice weekly) is Rs 28,000 (as certified by the doctor, copy attached). Prasad, a carpenter, was the sole breadwinner. They have a small house on a 2-cent plot which they are trying to mortgage to raise funds for treatment. They are looking for kidney donors. BRIDGE has funded their expense for a month (Rs 28,000).
New Year with BRIDGE families
BRIDGE also visited the two families in Begur and Mylasandra (remember, we sponsor the education of three children of these families) to celebrate Christmas and New Year with them. We gifted the families new shirts for children and provisions (rice, atta, dal, oil, biscuits and cakes).
While I am on it, I wish to inform you something here. In my field work, which also involves preparing and supplying meals to patients in Kidwai Cancer Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi and Nimhans hospitals along with another group called ‘Kind Heart’, I come across several needy persons who are in dire straits and struggling to buy medicines and provisions. I do spend a good amount of money on these persons by way of medicines, provisions and cash too. But the money spent on such needy persons is not taken from our BRIDGE pool as the BRIDGE cause is completely different – helping families that have lost their breadwinners. Your contributions will be used only for the BRIDGE cause.
Tips for happiness
Stock some stuff in your car always like small rice/atta pack, fruits, chocolates, etc. While you move about you will come across needy persons. Share some of these goodies with them. You will find old ladies selling flowers or small stuff on road side under the scorching sun, surprise them by giving them an apple or an orange or some chocolates to their kids. I tell you, the smile they return will make your day. Try it, you will know what I am talking about. 🙂
Let’s spread kindness, and enjoy happiness.