Ladies planting a sapling from the PRASAD Chikitsa nursery.

A local villager collecting saplings from PRASAD Chikitsa nursery.

Photo circa 1992- Share by Nalini Rae, PRASAD Australia Director

On 4^th February this year we are celebrating 20 years since the inception of PRASAD Australia. I am Nalini Rae- one of the Board Directors of PRASAD Australia and as I sit quietly and reflect on all the great work that has been done, all the lives that have changed, all the doors that have been opened, and the pathways to a bright future that have been created, I feel so honoured and privileged to be part of this.

I recall back in 1992, I went to India and volunteered with PRASAD starting first on the milk project which would take milk to more than 8 schools in the district. We would rise early, and warm huge pots of milk flavoured with spices and a little sugar, transfer that to several huge milk urns, load them onto a four-wheel drive and off we would go, bumping miles along the dirt tracks to the schools. Some were just simple one or two huts with mud floors and others were larger, stronger constructions and had many more students. Regardless, the reception we received from these village children was the same – welcoming, joy filled smiling faces that lit up our hearts.

Most of the time it was just me and an Indian driver and throughout the morning we would serve more than 600 children. We would pour the milk from the urns into jugs, by which time teacher would have the pupils sitting in rows and singing with full voices.

Each one received a cup of the warmed milk which would ensure that they had protein nourishment for the day and were able to concentrate on learning.

To see the children sitting with big wide smiles and frothy milk moustaches is a scene which will stay with me forever. Even now more than 30 years later I feel my own heart full of joy from reflecting on that scene and how not only it changed their lives, but mine too.

PRASAD truly is a gift that carries blessings – for the giver as well as the receiver.

We hope you are well and making the best of newfound freedoms after being in a series of lockdowns for the last couple of years. The people of the Tansa Valley too, are returning to greater normalcy in their lives. We thank all our donors for supporting the work of PRASAD during a time of such unprecedented challenge.

Due to the ongoing financial assistance, PRASAD Chikitsa continues to provide a wide range of services to the people of the Tansa Valley. The work includes masks and sanitiser distribution, serving hot meals and delivery of food and essential supplies to locals, to mention a few. To look after the general health of villagers, the Anukampa Health Centre remained open during the pandemic.

This enormous undertaking would not have been possible without your generous and selfless contribution to PRASAD Australia.
Once again, we thank you for your continued support and wish you happiness, peace and abundance this Holiday Season

PRASAD Australia Board of Directors,

Sonia Kaushik (Chair), Joan Napoli (Secretary), Angela Whitbread (Treasurer), 
Nalini Rae (Communications) and Susanna Mason (Boar Director)

PROGRAM UPDATES

A Steadfast Entrepreneurial Spirit

In India less than a third of women – 15 years or older – work for money. PRASAD Chikitsa’s Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHG) empower and train women to become entrepreneurs. As their businesses grow, women earn and control income, allowing them to become decision-makers in their families and communities.

In 2020, the Saraswati Self-Help Group provided financial support for thirty-year-old Harshala Joshi to start a beauty parlour in her home in Vajreshwari. Harshala’s business flourished; she was the primary breadwinner for her family of four. But the COVID-19 lockdown dealt a financial blow, her business had to be closed down.

PRASAD Chikitsa and her SHG guided and supported Harshala to open a small tea and snack stall near her home. PRASAD Chikitsa also arranged for Harshala to provide daily tea and biscuits to the local government-run Primary Health Centre, which also led to lunch orders, increasing her income. “I am very grateful for this opportunity. I needed it during this difficult time. It has also improved my network, which helps me to expand my business.”

Partnering for Food

While the pandemic has been difficult for everyone, people experiencing poverty and homelessness have been hit particularly hard.  To support these vulnerable people, PRASAD Chikitsa organised a meal service program in Vajreshwari and Akloli Kund, popular pilgrimage and tourist destinations.

A local Women’s Self-Help Group, Anandi, partnered with PRASAD Chikitsa to prepare the hot meals distributed twice daily by PRASAD staff. The 12 members of Anandi rented a food prep room and followed hygiene protocols to ensure food safety. Each member took on a different task: cleaning, chopping vegetables, cooking, and packaging.

Manisha Patil, the Group president, described the experience, “Besides an income opportunity, this activity brought many positive changes. It built our confidence, strengthened unity and improved business skills. This work gave us immense joy because we knew our food was satisfying the hunger of society’s neediest and most neglected people. It allowed us to be part of a noble cause.”

Highlights of PRASAD’s work during the pandemic

DON’T MISS THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS

Being Together – If you missed the live fundraising event, you can still view it. Please here to see the recording of the event for free. If you wish to donate towards this event,  your donation will be matched (up to $5000 ) till the end of this year!

On July 7, 2021 we had our very first webinar, and we heard from Manju Kochhar about the impactful work of PRASAD Chikitsa in the Tansa Valley, India.  You can watch it here.

The Fruit Orchard Program

The Fruit Orchard Program began in 2007, intending to provide a sustainable livelihood to struggling farmers by helping them plant quality cash crops such as Mango, Sapota, Guava, Custard Apple, Cashew nut and Jamun.

To accomplish this, PRASAD Chiktsa (PC) regularly organises workshops to educate and register farmers in the program. To further encourage their participation, PC distributes saplings from its own nursery at nominal rates to the farmers and ensures the survival of the saplings.

This year alone, more than 300 families have been supported under this program, and they planted more than 12700 fruit trees.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR PRASAD?

In India, PRASAD Chikitsa’s goals for the next year are to continue delivering medical services and providing nutritional support to children at village care centers, and to help 400 Adivasi families start kitchen gardens, plant 20,000 trees, distribute 15,000 jasmine saplings to farmers for market crops, and help 150 families build toilets

Thank you for supporting PRASAD