Rotary International District 1090

After a chance meeting with the computer programmer from the Dombivli Rotary Club at Penta Hotel Reading, Rotarian Ghazala Chapman floated the idea of doing a joint International humanitarian project in India.

A few days before this meeting, Ghazala heard on the local Radio, Disabled people have a tough time dealing with their disability. In India, even tougher time is given to the disabled by the world around them. Socially, the disabled are just not very “welcome” in Indian society. It's not that people are “unkind” or “hostile” towards the disabled in India, but often they don't very “understand” of disability or disabled people. Instead of empathy, they often show excessive sympathy, making the disabled person feel embarrassed. Disable access is still a rarity in India, businesses and government institutions just don’t see why the disabled would want to visit them! Guilt, embarrassment, shame, discomfort, lack of respect or consideration etc are generally the reason-disabled people do not venture out of the safety of their home / family in India. Disability is seen as a curse and hence those who are disabled are considered to be cursed. People often do not appreciate them turning up at “auspicious occasions” like marriages and births.

Since listening to this commentary, Ghazala could not rest until something was done for these forgotten people.  Therefore, a chance meeting with Mr. Parag Dharmadhikari from a Rotary Club was a lifetime opportunity not to be missed. Following this meeting, the Reading Rotary Foundation/ International in conjunction with an Indian Rotary club embarked on an ambitious project to enable and enrich the lives of the disabled around Dombivli (A town in Thane District, Maharashtra, India.
A matching humanitarian grant of £625 was successfully secured from the District 1090, which was matched by the Reading Rotary Club.

After a successful injection of the same amount offered by the Rotary Club of Dombivli, the time was right to go ahead with the project.  

The total sum of £ 1,250 + £1,250 = £2,500 made it possible for the Dombivli Club to purchase ten wheelchairs for the old and disabled patients of Ashraya Hospital and Hearing Aids for the Rotary Deaf School.

Please look at the photos in our photo gallery & see how our Club+ District donation of £1250 has been a catalyst in improving the lives of people residing at these two institutions.

Download a report of this wheelchairs and hearing aids project published in the local Indian Times Newspaper, showing the world what Rotary can achieve! Long Live Rotary International.

Report by Ghazala Chapman
Reading Rotary Club, District 1090.