Thank you from Wendy IDEX fellow

I was placed with Aaorgayseva as part of my 6 month IDEX fellowship.  Time has flown so quickly.   When I first came I thought there would be so much time to do so many things.  Yes we did achieve a lot during my time here though there is still much to be done.

The highlight of my time here was having the opportunity to join the 2016 AIPNO Medical Yatra.  It was a different way to see the country, meet the locals and make new friends.  It was an unforgettable time where we all had to be flexible, creative and patient with limited supplies and language barriers. The thing about the Yatra is that it is not just about going out there and helping community it also included a visit to a girls boarding school, a women's empowerment project and Republic Day Festivities whilst staying in an Ashram. The other volunteers were an inspiration especially given that large majority were in their late 60s and had been doing this for the past 10 years and will continue to do so as long as they are able. 

I am really proud that I took the leap to come to India.  To anyone considering a move from what they know I certainly say do it.  I feel that unless and until you challenge yourself and do what you fear you don’t really give yourself a chance to learn, grow and really know who you are.  It is in those times of worries and insecurity we realise just what is most important to us.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their warm hospitality and hope that our paths will cross again. I look forward to being updated on what Aarogayseva is doing both in India and around the world. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Aravani Art Project

If you’re in Mumbai this Friday and Saturday please drop by to say hi Poornima Sukumar and help out on the Aravani Art Project.

Aarogyaseva is proud and excited to sponsor and support The Aravani Art Project on this initiative in association with Humsafar Trust.

Poornima is the Aarogyaseva artist in residence and she started the Aravani Art Initiative.   You will remember that for International Women's Day in March Poornima was one of the artists who beautifully decorated our now open free clinic in Jayanagar Bangalore Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

The Aravani Art Project aims to use art as a medium to bring the community together with particular emphasis on inclusion of the transgender community.   They have been doing projects across India most recently in Bangalore.   

Poornima first became involved in the transgender community through working on a documentation with Tabs Breese and wanted to stay connected and involved afterwards.   Her aim is to eventually expand the project across the world to give the third gender a voice and to encourage acceptance across the world.

Aravani Art Project has also been featured in The Hindu and Good.

If you want to find out more and support please head to their Facebook page.

It’s not too late to help! They are still after artists, scaffolding builders, buskers and magic markers.  Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated including just dropping by to say hi.

Aravani Art Project is also going to Chennai, Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata.   We'll let you know when it does. 

Don’t forget we’re also looking for more volunteers for our clinic Mahadohi Aarogayseva Kendra in Bangalore.   So drop us a line at Volunteer @aarogyaseva.org

We look forward to sharing some photos next week on the event.  Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

Inauguration of Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra

Today was the Inauguration of our free medical clinic Mahabodhi Aarogyaseva Kendra.

It has taken a long time and much help.  The foundation stone for the centre was first laid in 2012.

It was a beautiful ceremony with blessings and speeches.

In attendance was

• Venerable Kassapa Mahathera President, MBS
• Sri Ramalinga Reddy, Honourable Minister of Transport Government of Karnataka
• Dr Ravi Gopal Verma, Lead Consultant of Neurosciences, Aster CMI Hospital, former Prof and Head of Dept of Neurosurgery MS Ramaiah Medical College 
• Monks from Mahabodhi Society 

Following the blessing we were honoured to begin our free medical camp led by Dr K B Lingegowda and Dr Ravi

Here are first pictures of patients being seen:

The Mahabodhi Meditation Centre was also inaugurated today.  This is co-located/ upstairs from the clinic.

As was spoken of by our guests, we hope that this is the beginning of centres which combine holistic view of treatment including brain and mind.  Without treating the other would be incomplete.

This was following by a delicious lunch provided by Mahabodhi Society.

Please come down and see the clinic and meditation centre when you get the chance.

We are also keen for more volunteers so if you have some time this summer please get in touch.

Also we note that Maha Bodhi Society has their 2560th Sacred Buddha Jayanti Celebrations on right now with activities planned all week.  This includes

• Cancer Patients Service Day on 17th May from Noon at Dharmashala Kidwai Institute of Oncology 
• One Day Children's Dhamma Camp on 18th May from 9am to 4pm at Maha Bodhi Auditorium Maha Bodhi Society 
• Burns Patient Service Day on 19th May from 3:30pm at Medical Education Seminar Hall Victoria Hospital 
• Animal Service Day on 20th July from 10am at People for Animals Kengeri
• Vesakha Sacred Buddha Purnima Day on 21st July from 9am at Mahabodhi Loka Shanti Buddha Vihara

If you have the chance we invite you to join in the above festivities. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org

World Immunisation Week 24th-30 April

“ No child should be denied the right to immunization for unfair reasons, including economic or social causes. All barriers must be overcome.”  Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General

It is estimated that 2-3 million deaths are avoided from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles due to immunisation.   Unfortunately there is an estimated 18.7 million infants worldwide who are still missing out on basic vaccinations. More than 60% of these children live in 10 countries including India.

Illness, disability and death from cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, polio, rubella and rotavirus diarrhoea are among the diseases immunisation can prevent. 

World Immunisation Week is celebrated annually to raise public awareness of how it saves lives and encourage increase vaccination rates for both adults and their children. 

This is the second year that the theme has been to “Close the Immunisation Gap”.

Global immunisation coverage 2014 

We are still lagging on diseases that can be easily prevented and more needs to be done now to prevent avoidable illness and deaths. 

Contrary to common belief vaccinations are required not just by children but we also need to remember that as adults we also need to ensure our vaccinations are put to date.  For instance before my nephew was born my family and I all had to make sure we had our shots of pertussis or whooping cough up to date as babies under 1 month are unfortunately very vulnerable and unable to be vaccinated at birth.   I’ve seen footage of a child with whopping cough and struggling to breathe and it is very distressing to hear and watch. 

These are WHO’s 6 Goals of the Global Vaccine Action Plan 

1. Immunisation against Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
2. Measles mortality Reduction 
3. Rubella elimination 
4. Maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination
5. Polio Eradication 
6. Use of new or under-utilised vaccines 

Here are some ways in which you can help: 

• Make sure that you and your family immunisations are up to date
• If you are anyone you know is pregnant or trying to be make sure they have are vaccinated against rubella and tetanus 
• Share this blog and other Immunisation Week articles and news with your friends and family 
• Donate to organisations that are working to closing the immunisation gap such as World Vision, or UNICEF

When our clinic opens we encourage everyone to come down and get a health check including assessing if your immunisations are up to date. 

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AarogyaSeva and AarogyaSeva does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

To get in touch with the author or to join our team write to us at – Volunteer@aarogyaseva.org