On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan festival, more than 80 children from the Faridabad-based SOS Children’s Villages today sent rakhis and hand-made cards to doctors of two Max Healthcare hospitals in the national capital
On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan festival, more than 80 children from the Faridabad-based SOS Children’s Villages today sent rakhis and hand-made cards to doctors of two Max Healthcare hospitals in the national capital.
SOS Children’s Villages, in a statement, said the rakhis were sent doctors posted at Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital at Saket and BLK Super Specialty Hospital at Pusa Road in Delhi.
The colorful, vibrant cards, hand-made by children, carried messages to the Corona Warriors at the two hospitals, thanking them for all their efforts and sacrifices in protecting the people in the time of the pandemic.
“Thank you for fighting with the Coronavirus on our behalf,” said a card handmade by a SOS child.
“You are all real-world heroes for protecting us from the Coronavirus and saving lives,” said a card handmade by another.
“You are all real heroes. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy,” said another card made by a SOS child.
The doctors were overwhelmed at this show of love and affection from the children.
Saket-based Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital Vice Present and Unit Head Dr Gurpreet Singh said: “The cards carry heart-felt messages for our doctors and nurses. Our Corona warriors are over-whelmed by this gesture in the midst of facing one of mankind’s biggest pandemic. We all thank the SOS children for this loving gesture.”
According to Delhi-based BLK Super Specialty Hospital Unit Head and Vice President Dr Sanjay Mehta: “We all are deeply touched at receiving the rakhis and cards from the SOS children. It is a deeply emotional moment for us after everything the Corona Warriors have gone through in the past few months. We will treasure these symbols of love and affection for many years to come. And this bond will last lifelong.”
“This Raksha Bandhan, we and our children recognize the remarkable contribution of doctors, nurses and all the other Covid Warriors for saving humanity from the pandemic. In celebrating them, we celebrate the shared value of selfless efforts of our SOS mothers for creating lasting bonds of devotion, care and commitment,” said Sudarshan Suchi, Secretary General of SOS Children’s Villages of India.
Established in 1964, SOS Children’s Villages of India protects the best interests of children who do not have a family or those who are risk of losing one. It operates in 32 locations across 22 states/UTs in India.
Global NGO The Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) today launched a pilot project “Aviral” to reducce plastic waste in Haridwar and Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Aviral will focus on strengthening
Global NGO The Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) today launched a pilot project “Aviral” to reducce plastic waste in Haridwar and Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.
Aviral will focus on strengthening an integrated plastic waste management system. Following the two-year pilot in the two cities, the partnership aims to scale this initiative across partnering cities in India, the Alliance said in a statement.
In recent years, the amount of plastic waste has drastically increased in India. More specifically, this increase is affecting the two cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh, important Hindu pilgrimage and cultural tourism destinations, the Alliance said in a statement.
Speaking about the initiative, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste CEO and President Jacob Duer said the project aims to reduce plastic waste and help improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on the Ganges, India’s lifeline and one of the world’s most important rivers.
As its own name indicates, Aviral, means “continuous” in Hindi, the overall objective is to continue strengthening contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, added Carsten Schmitz-Hoffmann, Director General of GIZ International Services.
This privately financed project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Delhi-based NGO, Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) is reaching out with safe drinking water, dry ration and hygiene kit to 1,00,000 flood-hit people in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Barpeta and Morigaon districts of Assam
Delhi-based NGO, Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) is reaching out with safe drinking water, dry ration and hygiene kit to 1,00,000 flood-hit people in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Barpeta and Morigaon districts of Assam.
SEEDS also plans to work towards providing repair and restoration of homes and schools as part of the recovery intervention.
Over 5.5 million people have been affected due to floods in India this year and Assam has experienced the worst flooding over the last ten years affecting over 3.6 million people till date as per the recent government report, it said.
“This time, affected communities are facing additional threat given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis that requires health care services, health and hygiene safeguards and to maintain social distancing in the relief camps,” SEEDS said in a statement.
To support flood-hit people in Assam, SEEDS is promptly reaching out to 1,00,000 affected people with their immediate needs in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Barpeta and Morigaon districts.
The NGO is supplying safe drinking water, dry food, hygiene and family utility kit. This also includes key items required for COVID safety, emerged as the most urgent need based on the information from SEEDS volunteers on ground.
A SEEDS team member from Assam informed, “The situation at the ground level is worse than ever. There are drinking water, food and hygiene issues. Thousands of families are battling with the intense flood situation coupled with the challenges of ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. They are in need of urgent humanitarian aid.”
SEEDS Co-Founder Manu Gupta said, “With millions of people displaced by the floods, it has become critical that relief reaches them at the earliest. Our team is working relentlessly to analyse and meet the immediate requirements of the affected people in an effective manner. We are also taking all necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The floods have caused extensive damage to the houses, water sources, toilets and other infrastructures. Due to incessant rains and increased water in these regions and Covid-19 looming large, it is essential for communities to have a roof above their heads at the earliest.
SEEDS will also work towards providing repair and restoration of homes and schools as part of the recovery intervention. SEEDS urges all the citizens to extend their support to help families of Assam, build back better.
The NGO has sought contribution between Rs 1,000 to 4,000 from people for supplying ration kit, safe drinking water and hygiene kit.
Malcolm Reid is based in Atlanta, Georgia and has been involved with HIV advocacy since 2014. He created THRIVE SS’s group for Black men living with HIV over the age of 50, Silver Lining Project, and works to help participants
Malcolm Reid is based in Atlanta, Georgia and has been involved with HIV advocacy since 2014. He created THRIVE SS’s group for Black men living with HIV over the age of 50, Silver Lining Project, and works to help participants grapple with aging, PTSD, loss, and stigma while training them in political advocacy. Malcolm is an avid thrill-seeker and rollercoaster enthusiast having ridden over 50 of the world’s fastest.
When did you find out you were HIV positive? How has your HIV status impacted your life?
When I was diagnosed in 1997, I was not surprised. The impact on my life, at first, was negligible. I went on with my life as if nothing was different. I took my pills and kept it moving. I met my current husband a year before and we were both diagnosed around the same time, so I had someone to support me and I, being a natural caretaker, put a lot of energy into taking care of him.
Years later, in 2014, I began to look at myself and my life. I realized how blessed I was. I also realized how selfish I had been. I knew that there were guys my age suffering in silence. Living a quiet existence, at home, alone. They were fearing disclosure, stigmatizing themselves. I realized that I was in a position to help. Even if it meant just being a sounding board to men my age or telling my story younger men.
I shared my desires with some friends. While on a cruise with a large group of SGL people, I spoke out in a workshop. I told my story and expressed my desire to get involved. My friends were responsive, and one led me to a supportive group, which I joined in August of 2015. That group later became THRIVE SS.
Where have you gotten support to manage your HIV treatment?
Because I have a job with good benefits, I have managed my own medical support. Since joining THRIVE SS as a volunteer and now employee, my support comes from my advocacy.
How long have you been involved in HIV advocacy?
I have been involved in HIV advocacy since 2015. After becoming a member of the THRIVE SS organization, I was able to create a group called “Mature Men of Color” to support black gay men living with HIV over the age of 50. Today that group is the Silver Lining Project and we are now working to implement the dream I had back in 2014 – programs geared to assist Black gay men living with HIV over the age of 50 to deal with aging, PTSD, loss, and stigma while helping them train others and become engaged in political advocacy.
Do you think there is an added stigma being a person from a racially marginalized community living with HIV, and if so, how do you handle it?
Yes, I do think there is added stigma being a person from a racially marginalized community living with HIV. While the African American community mostly votes liberal, African American people are very conservative in social and family circles. The church and family structure can be judgmental and unforgiving. I believe the best way to handle this is through communication and education. I try to take the fear and myth out of living with HIV. I am open and out about my status. I believe when people see me and my husband, out in the community, living, thriving, doing the work; they will understand that HIV is no longer a death sentence. It’s not just the rich famous athlete that can live an abundant life with HIV.
I also advocate for Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) because once people understand that people who are living with HIV receive the care they need, and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load, they are unable to transmit HIV through sex and are, therefore, less likely to stigmatize us. From a policy and legal perspective, this will help us end the laws across the country that criminalize HIV.
Living in Georgia, we are affected by the refusal of our government leaders and representatives to expand Medicaid. This has led to hospitals and health centers closing in rural areas and has left thousands of people unable to afford their medications. Many people don’t have access and even if they did, they might not be able to afford care. U=U is only possible when there’s equal affordability to ensure access.
Do you feel that you face additional challenges in care as a member of a racially marginalized community living with HIV?
I have been blessed. I have a good job with great health insurance. Currently, I have no challenges accessing, affording and remaining in care. But I see the challenges my brothers face regularly with ADAP and other public health organizations and want to help them access the care they need.
How would you support someone who recently received a positive HIV diagnosis?
First, I would talk to them about their concerns and fears to learn where they are mentally. Are they self-stigmatized? Are they blaming themselves for their diagnoses? Then I would use the THRIVE SS model to connect them to care. We want to not only link them to care but make sure we address the social determinants of health such as housing and an ongoing support network.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
A good job and salary aren’t everything. Look around at your blessings and share them – get involved, early and often. Also, understand that everyone who is not achieving what you have achieved still has a story and value, and it’s up to us to lift them up.
What gives you hope?
Young advocates that are bringing new energy and creativity to advocacy give me hope. I’m also hopeful because of strategies like PrEP, which can help prevent the spread of HIV, and medications that keep those of us living with HIV undetectable and untransmittable.
