Mangalore: Child Fund India - Making a Difference to Precious Lives

Florine Roche
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 5: Dola Mohapatra, National Director of Child Fund India who was in Mangalore to participate in the sponsorship promotion meet held at Prajna Counseling Centre, sought the support of people of Mangalore in their mission to make a difference to the lives of underprivileged children by sponsoring a child.

Talking at the promotional meet held at Prajna Counseling Centre, Mangalore, Mohapatra pointed out “so far Child Fund India was only in search of partners to work along but today we are seeking support of the local people, people who are successful and are capable of donating a small part of their income and join hands with us in our mission. The best way to associate with Child Fund is to sponsor a child in the form of just Rs. 20/- a day and Rs. 600-/ a month or in the form of providing services”.

Mohapatra also said “if you believe we have done good work and have created a good impact among the people with our sincere efforts we are sure to get something in return from the people of this area to help support the children in need of help. 85% of the resources sponsors pay goes towards the betterment of these children”.

Child Fund India which is working with 12 partners in 9 districts of Karnataka and supports about 2000 children in the state and overall 12000 children in India. However, sponsoring a child does not mean it benefits only that particular child but 10 times that of the children sponsored which means about a lakh children get benefitted every year from Child Fund India.

Mohapatra, however gave the entire credit to its partners for the good work done saying whatever Child Fund India has been able to accomplish is due to the hard work and efforts of the partners. “The ground work is done by good and credible partners like Prajna and others have helped us ensure the help goes out to those who are really in need of it. In our 60 years of service in India we have worked with nearly 500 partners and out of this about 400 have done fantastic work and have been our authentic partners. We are here with our head held high because of these authentic and sincere partners”, he pointed out.

According to Mohapatra Child Welfare Fund has spent about 1000 crores in India in the last 6 decades which has benefitted over a million children from the poor and backward families. All this help was done so far from the sponsors belonging to a global force of 12 international development organizations that have come together to form Child Fund India to benefit children and their families all over the world. It helps the deprived and the vulnerable children and empowers them to shape their lives better and ensure a better future for themselves and their families. Now that India has grown to emerge as a major economic power which has more millionaires than that of USA, and with a sizeable and powerful middle class, Child Fund India feels that Indians too can contribute to make that vital difference in the life of a child.

“Become a sponsor and make a difference in the life of a child”, reads the punch line of Child Fund India. Sponsorship can be in the form of cash or services like providing something in kind to benefit a group of children. Sponsorship can be to the tune of Rs. 1800/- quarterly or Rs. 3600/- half yearly or Rs. 7200/- every year. It can also be in the form of special donations starting from Rs. 1000/- onwards and all contributions can be paid in cash, cheque or demand draft.

Mohapatra says that more than paying money Child Fund India gives the sponsors an opportunity to do something in the life of a child. Such a gesture will have generational impact on the entire family. When there is a sponsor the child starts feeling that there is somebody who cares for them. Such a feeling harbors a complete relationship and commitment from both sides.

Mohapatra lauded the efforts of Prajna Counseling Centre with which it has been associated for the last 15 years for the tremendous work it has done to reach out to those children and their families who are really in dire need of financial and moral support. Prajna Counseling Centre has been doing yeoman’s service in reaching out to the deprived and destitute children and helps them rebuild their tattered lives. Prajna has been able to make that crucial difference to the life of such children with the active support and financial assistance from Child Fund India and through its own efforts.

The sponsorship meet also saw many beneficial children and some parents speaking out their mind for the all important role played by Prajna Counseling Centre in shaping their future. Some of these children have become professionals like Engineers, P R personnel and have been able to create a new and secured life for their families. Preethi S, a Civil Engineer pointed out that after the untimely death of her father it was Prajna which came to the rescue of her family of three including her mother and sister. L Samson who has now secured a job as a PR officer also expressed his gratitude to Prajna for helping his family in all possible ways.

Headmistress of Govt Hr. Primary School Kasba Bengre explained that the economically poor and backward families of Bengre and their children have been able to improve their standard due to Prajna’s proactive role in providing education and other help.

Prof Hilda Rayappan Founder Director and Managing Trustee of Prajna Counseling Centre expressed her sincere thanks and gratitude to Child Life India and Dola Mohapatra for giving Prajna an opportunity to be their partners in reaching out to those children and ensure them a better living and bright future. Naomi Joshua of Child Fund India gave a brief account of the aims and objectives of Child Life India and the extent of their work. Shalini Aiyappa, Trustee of Prajna Counseling centre proposed a vote of thanks.

Sponsors who are willing to be part of Child Fund India and Prajna can contact:

Prajna Counseling Centre,
Falnir Road, Kankanady,
Mangalore – 575 002.

Telephone: (0824) 2432133 or 2417383
Email: prajnachildfund@hotmail.com

Or

Child Fund India
22, Museum Road,
Bangalore

Tel: (080) 25587157
Fax: (080) 25594271
Email: Office@childfundindia.org
Website: www.childfundindia.org