Dear Friends,
Following my last letter, in which I highlighted the tragic circumstances faced by some of our BRIDGE families, I received numerous messages of solidarity and support. One well-wisher wrote: “Gosh, so much suffering exists in the lives of these people… It reminds me to count my blessings whenever I feel despair. Thank you for everything you and the BRIDGE family do.” Another shared: “I often feel guilty indulging in luxuries when I see the less fortunate struggling to make ends meet.”
To this, I can only say that there will always be many who cannot afford what we have, but there is nothing wrong in enjoying the fruits of our labour, provided we set aside a portion of our earnings to support those less fortunate. While we may not be able to solve every problem, if we can make a meaningful difference in the life of even one needy family, our mission would have been accomplished. BRIDGE provides a platform to make this possible, and I am profoundly grateful to you for being part of this endeavour.
A significant milestone for BRIDGE was achieved recently when one of our beneficiaries, a young woman (an orphan whom we had supported through more than five years of education) tied the knot early this month. This kind-hearted woman was well-known to some of our volunteers, and we wanted to ensure that her wedding was a truly special occasion. We organised her engagement in a simple but beautiful ceremony in Bangalore, and the outpouring of generosity was overwhelming. One family sponsored the food, another arranged the decorations, a third provided wedding sarees, and yet another contributed with jewelry. A recently married woman even gifted her one of her gold bangles. The groom and his family then hosted a fairly grand wedding reception on the Big Day. Overcome with emotion, the bride was moved to tears by the love and care she received from the BRIDGE family and its associates. As we ‘handed her over’ to the groom’s family, there was not a dry eye among us. Thank you all for making this possible with your financial and moral support.
Let me also share a few more stories where BRIDGE has helped alleviate suffering in recent months:
Sailaja from Palakkad, an orphan raised in an orphanage, was married at 30 to a factory worker, and they were blessed with a child. They thought everything was going smoothly until tragedy struck some five years later when she lost her husband in an accident, leaving her to fend for herself and her three-year-old child with no stable means of survival. After knocking on many doors, she was brought to BRIDGE’s attention. After reviewing her case, we committed to providing her with monthly financial support until she regained her footing.
A family battling a double tragedy—The father, an asthma patient, struggled to provide for his wife and son, who is currently an undergraduate student. A year ago, their world crumbled further when the mother was diagnosed with cancer. This devastating blow left the family in dire straits. BRIDGE has stepped in to support them through our Subsistence Support Scheme.
Viayan, a wheelchair-bound individual whom BRIDGE has been supporting, was granted approval to build a small house under a government scheme. We have also provided a modest contribution towards this effort to ensure he has a safe place to call home.
A determined young girl—We extended financial aid to a young woman aspiring to study nursing in Germany. She required German language training to qualify, but financial constraints stood in her way. Her father had abandoned the family eight years ago, leaving her mother to struggle alone. BRIDGE’s support is helping her take a crucial step toward her dream.
A resilient young nursing student—This young man, a first-year general nursing student in a Mangalore medical institute, comes from an extraordinarily challenging background. His father is battling cancer, and his mother has been institutionalised in a mental asylum for over a decade. His elder brother, studying to become a religious priest in Mysore, could offer little financial support. Raised largely through the kindness of his neighbours, he had hoped to secure an education loan, only to face rejection. When his college threatened to bar him from exams due to unpaid fees, he took up work as a Swiggy delivery person to make ends meet. Despite his hardships, he had scored an impressive 84% in his Class 12 exams. Recognizing his perseverance, BRIDGE stepped in, partially funding his fees and securing an additional donor to ensure he could sit for his exams next week. We are happy to have played a role in helping this remarkable young man stay on his path.
Before I conclude, I request you all to keep the students from BRIDGE families, and others, in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for their upcoming exams. As Arthur Miller poignantly reminds us in his play All My Sons, “They are all our children.” We have a collective social responsibility towards them.
Thank you, and take care
Shibu
A BRIDGE Over Troubled Waters
The Anchor for the Anchorless
Ph: 9739218181; 080-26830545