Yesterday evening I received a stash of pictures and videos from a disabled people’s organization (DPO) called Divyang Adikar Manch way off in Jharkhand. We have linked up with them to buy and distribute ration kits to families with disabilities in their state. It is a superb effort stretching right across a state. Our contact is Mr. Ajit who is visually impaired and works for Indian railways. He asked members in different parts of the state to inform him of the neediest families in their areas who would benefit from a stock of dry food stuffs. They then had to find local grocers with a bank account, MESH transferred the money to the various accounts of the different grocers and members of the DPO delivered the ration and that too despite severe rain. Large areas of Jharkhand are really quite remote with poor roads and forest cover. It is a region with a lot of poverty and we were delighted to make contact with the DPO and have been thrilled by their response especially as they are all unpaid for their efforts.
This style of self-help support where people with disabilities in a region, form organisations to support each other and lobby and campaign for their rights, has been promoted as a sustainable form of development for a number of years; It has been marvelous to see it working practically and to see a whole new meaning to the axiom "the blind leading the blind". We hope that MESH will continue to reach out to those most in need through this organization, perhaps for school or college scholarships as there is no doubt that Ajit has been so valuable to the group, because he is educated.
You may know MESH for handicrafts products but we also provide some support towards school fees to children from leprosy colonies, have a revolving loan scheme for higher education of children for leprosy communities and in the last year or so have been able to distribute hundreds of food packages for covid relief. If you wish to donate towards any of these efforts you may do so here
And if you are in the mood for shoping You might also like to see this delightful little set for children which is new and on special offer at the moment.