Hand In Hand USA

HIH successfully raises 90K

5. May, 2012LatestNewsNo comments

Hand in Hand USA, celebrated the 10th anniversary of fundraising with a program that comprised great inspiring speeches along with good entertainment and excellent food. Over 250 people enjoyed this event held at Ramada Inn in Glendale Heights on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Entering guests were treated to some delightful hors d’oeuvres after the registration. The program started on time with a prayer song “Jyoth se Jyoth Jalathe Chalo” by Ms Shaila Khedkar followed by introductory remarks by Mr. Puneet Mansharmani, Master of the Ceremony and Smt. Durga Chunduri, President of HIH USA.She gave a brief report about the Organization and their current humanitarian projects in India which are Balashram, Outreach Medical Programs, Health clinics, Disaster Relief and.. so on. It was mentioned that the Balashram in Orissa started with 40 children initially in 2004 and has gradually grown to 360.

Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, mayor of Oak Brook who delivered an inspiring keynote speech and encouraged the guests to give charitably their time and money. He started with an eloquent message, “Give, give and give. One who truly gives – lives,” re-instated wisely the privileged message he brought from his Master Dada Vaswani in Pune, India in regards to developing the habit of giving – “How much can one give?” when asked, his master profoundly responded, “Son, you have not given enough till it hurts you a little.” Also he quoted an old Chinese proverb that says – if you want to be happy for an hour then take a nap, if you want to be happy for a day then go to a picnic but if you want to be happy for the entire life, then serve others – again stressing the importance and joy of giving.

Dr. Rani Chintam did the main presentation of the evening regarding the organization and the work that is being done in India. Combining facts with great humor, she made sure that the guests were paying attention to her slide show. She said Orissa was chosen for the Balashram because of its low literacy rate, high infant mortality, economic backwardness, and high maternal mortality rate among others which are emblematic of a poverty stricken state. Balashram is a fully functional school for extremely poor and impoverished children in rural Orissa that provides serene and healthy environment for the development of young minds. The ashram is located in Arua, an eastern district of the state. Other projects by Hand in Hand through the channel of Hariharananda Healthcare Centers include permanent health centers and Mobile Clinics in rural Orissa and Bengal, health camps and seminars that make people aware of burning health issues and emergency relief in the form of food, medical support and money in different regions across the globe. The emotional appeal made by Dr. Chintam and the previous speakers must have resonated well with the guests as generous donations started pouring in.

Dr. Chintam’s presentation was followed by the children of Ankur parading across the hall, waving the flags of different countries and singing the song “we are the world” by Michel Jackson in the spirit of true international friendship. After the song, the kids chanted the peace mantra – “Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”. Ankur is a Sunday school located in Joliet for children, ages 3 and 14 that foster creativity, capability and talent of each child through life of integrity, service and courage. Ankur kids emptied their kiddy banks as they learn”to serve and share “from early childhood. Students of Hema Rajagopalan of Natya Dance Theatre Ensemble later entertained the guests with brilliant Bharatha Natyam style performances that included “Murugan Kavutuvam, a prayer”, “Adavallan, a cosmetic dance in praise of Lord Shiva” and ”Brochevarevarura, a devotee singing parises of Lord Rama ”. Following the dances, the guests were treated to a scrumptious dinner provided by Priya restaurant of Schaumburg.

The evening came to an end with enchanting Bollywood music provided by Shaila Khedkar of Sur Sangeet who reeled out such all time hit numbers and a few melodies from Hindi movies in a voice reminding of Sur Samragni ‘Lata Mangeshkar like “Yeh Sama Hai Pyar ka” from the movie “Jab Jab Phool Khile”, “Aei Mere Humsafar” from movie “Qyamat se Qyamat Tak” and “Ruk ja Raath Tehere Jare Chanda” from “Dil ek Mandir” and many more. The entire program was praised by the guests for its admirably high quality and noble cause it represents. Mr. Mihir Dash who proposed vote of thanks praised the volunteers for their stellar coordination and all round help in making the program a huge success that can be gazed through the funds it raised – it was well over $90,000.

HIH USA fundraiser dinner

16. March, 2012UncategorizedNo comments

Balashram Holiday Fund Drive

24. November, 2011UncategorizedNo comments

There is the saying that the best gift you can give somebody is the one that comes out of your love and from your heart. In this holiday season shower a little love of yours on those children of Balashram who are looking up-to you for their better future , a future  that will not only shape their dreams but will also help them become better individuals and help other such less fortunate souls in turn.

Every day, through your generous help and contribution, the Balashram is changing their lives, is enriching their lives, is nurturing their young minds through loving care, housing, clothing, food, healthcare, and education. Every day the Balashram and its loving teachers, staff and volunteers are carefully and painstakingly crafting young minds and filling them with love and joy. Those of our patrons who have visited the Balashram will easily testify to this. Its like a garden where young saplings are being carefully nourished so that they can become strong and branching trees one day and provide shade to others.

All this is made possible by you, our patrons and volunteers and we lack words to express our heartfelt thanks to all of you. We pray for you and your family and let this holiday season bring more joy and laughter for you and all your family.

If you wish to make a pledge this holiday season then kindly visit us here.

Donate and get Balashram greeting cards

20. November, 2011LatestNewsOne comment

Mobile Units/Ambulance

11. October, 2011SlidesNo comments

The mobile medical and dental unit supported through your generous contributions is fully air-conditioned and is equipped with a complete dental chair set-up, a small operating table for minor surgery and all the ancillary support systems required

Health Clinics

11. October, 2011SlidesNo comments

Hand in Hand is proud to support and equip five health care and emergency medicine centers in India. Here, professionals provide free medical treatment, lab services, and medication to some 20,000 disadvantaged poor men, women and children a year.

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Disaster Relief

6. October, 2011SlidesNo comments

Hand in Hand USA perseveres to extend all possible help during times of natural disasters, supporting programs that have helped earthquake survivors in Haiti, flood victims in India and Pakistan, survivors of devastating fires in rural India, and more.

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Outreach

3. October, 2011SlidesNo comments

Outdoor medical camps and outreach programs are routinely held in remote corners of rural India to make basic health facilities available to all and spread awareness about heath issues like AIDS/HIV, Diabetes,Tobacco risks, sanitation and nutrition etc.

Balashram

2. October, 2011SlidesNo comments

For India’s 25 million orphans, there is little hope for better life. But for hundreds of orphans in Orissa, the Balashram is changing lives. This residential school provides free education, food and shelter in a loving and nurturing environment.

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