Helping Hands - Distribution of Mobility Aids. 8th May 2014

Thanks to a Matching Grant with the RC of Edmonton Mayfield we were able to distribute 11 tricycles and wheelchairs and a number of crutches and specialised prosthetics to 34 poor and disabled at the premises of the Red Cross Society, Chennai Chapter.

The distribution took place at the Red Cross premises in Egmore, the Chief Guest was Mr. S.F.Akbar, State Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu. The Guest of Honour was Rtn. Sudhir Thakker, President of RCCK

 A True Moment of Freedom - Celebrating India's 66th Independence Day at Arambakkam Village - August 15th, 2012

President Rtn. Nirmal Nahar, Rtn Ravindran
and Rtn Vasanthi handing over the Mobility
Aids at Arambakkam village

All set for being mobile

Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk under its Helping Hands Project in association with Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise, Canada, distributed 20 Tricycles and 1 wheel chair, of a total value of Rs.1,05,000/- to the disabled people of the village of Arambakkam, Gummidipoondi Taluk, with the all round efforts of our Directors Community Services, Rtn Vasanthi ,  Rtn. Ravindran under the able guidance of President Rtn Nirmal Nahar. It was truly a celebration of Independence for the recipients on the occasion of the Independence Day of the nation as well. And through Rotary, we were able to bring a sense of freedom through the Mobility Aids to the disabled.

A Sense of Freedom - Driving
away their tricycles after RCCK handed them the
Mobility Aids at Arambakkam village

One of the Tricycles handed over
by RCCK at Arambakkam

21 Prosthetics to disabled - 28th Dec 2011

On the morning of 28th of Dec 2011 members of the Rotary Club of Chennai Kilpauk gathered at Mukti at Meenambakkam to hand over prosthetics to poor and needy disabled. For many of the beneficiaries this was the first time they were receiving prosthetics. The first timers needed to be trained in maintenance, usage and car.

At every camp that is held for prosthetics there are always stories which need to be told and this camp was not different. The suffering of a disabled person is much, while we provide them with mobility aids, these people still suffer, a prosthetic alone does not take them to a normal life and this may never be possible for many of them.

The need is so much that even after we take many steps forward the target has been pushed further away. There are still so many disabled in remote and far flung villages who live without hope and in misery. If Rotary cannot help them who will?

This Artificial Limb Camp was funded by a Matching Grant with RC of Strathcona Sunrise.

Technicians at Mukti giving finishing touches to artificial limbs to be handed over to beneficiaries.

A beneficiary trying out his new limb.

Some of the beneficiaries

Waiting for their limbs

An old limb of one of the beneficiaries, could not be repaired

An improvised limb of one of the beneficiaries, the limb was heavy and difficult to use as there was no flexibility. The owner of this limb was relieved to get a new limb that works well.

Rtn. Varadarajan's Speech

Our plans for reaching out to the disabled

Over the next few months there will be a number of camps by which we will distribute artificial limbs, calipers and mobility aids. Salem, Madurai, Orissa, UP are some of the regions where these camps will be held.

Having heard that Karnataka has a large number of disabled who need help, I made some inquiries which reveal that this was true. I have sought more information and help in organising camps in the State of Karnataka.

I would dare to think that there would be atleast one camp every month over the next few months. By these camps RCCK will distribute over 700 calipers / limbs over the next 6 months.

Personally I am toying with the idea of reaching out to the disabled by conducting mativational workshops. Would it work?

A few days ago I was driving down to Pondicherry and stopped by on the road and noticed a quadraplegic running a tea shop. He was not even able to count out the change for his customers and had to be helped.

I told him to go to a camp that we were conducting and gave him the address and location and instructions on how to reach the camp. Also wrote out a letter for him. He never came. Why? Was he not able to find someone who will mind his shop for the day that he would be away?

Life is difficult.

Artificial Limb Camp in December 2009

The camp was inaugurated on 22nd December at Mukti and closed on 30th december with members of RCCK and Mukti working all days including weekends and Christmas to make sure that the camp was successfull AND it was.

Raveendran - Director Community Services put together an impressive artificial limb camp at Mukti in Chennai in the last week of december 2009. The accent was on reaching out to the disabled and much work went into this camp. The many hours of planning and the efficient execution did show what can be done with dedication. Over 96 disabled benefited from this camp.

Thanks to all members of RCCK and Mukti team for their great team work in reaching out to so many disabled in an efficient manner.

Helping Hands - Salem

The next phase of Helping Hands is to commence. RC of Salem Centennial alog with RC of Chennai Kilpauk will organise an artificial limb camp at Salem in November 2009. This will help reach out to the disabled in areas which do not have free access to prosthetics.

Salem Centennial will identify beneficiaries in and around the city of Salem, a radius of about 70 Kms will be covered.

Helping Hands is a Matching Grant project with the Rotary Club of Strathcona Sunrise, Canada with the active involvement of Rtn. Chip Ross.

Helping Hands Phase III - Update

No news from TRF as yet on release of funds for this Matching Grant which has been approved.

I do hope that the monies will be released shortly so work can start.

We hope to contact Rotary Clubs in Orissa and Bihar and in rural Tamilnadu and provide prosthetics to amputees loiving in these areas. These people have little access to aid and specially for prosthetics.

Helping Hands Phase III

Just a few days ago we received news from TRF that our MG application with RC of Strathcona Sunrise for providing artificial limbs to the needy has been verified and forwarded to the trustees for approval. Once the trustees approve the application we can expect the monies in a few weeks time and then another major project is on. Thanks to Chip Ross at Strathcona Sunsrise for spearheading this effort.