Hello!
We are Rachelle, Kate, Mary-Anne and Matt, four VERY excited second year Masters of Physical Therapy students at the University of British Columbia.
In mid-February, we are volunteering for five weeks with Samuha Overseas Development Association (S.O.D.A., www.samuha.ca) who supports Samuha Samarthya (www.samuha.org), an NGO in the rural area of Koppal, Karnataka, Southern India. There, we will be completing our fourth clinical placement by working closely alongside local rehabilitation workers to help children with disabilities, adults with spinal cord injuries, and their families.
Samuha Samarthya aims to reduce the incidence of disabilities, and to ensure that people with disabilities achieve their maximum potential and are able to lead their lives independently and meaningfully.
WHAT WE NEED:
We are looking to raise a total of $10,000 to help Samuha Samarthya become more self-sufficient. The four of us are responsible for raising $588 each, and we have a VERY short time to do so. If you are able to contribute, we would highly appreciate any support!
All volunteer costs are SELF-FUNDED. In addition to raising $588, we need to pay for our travel and accommodation, AND maintain our current rent in Vancouver while away. We are poor grad students, and any help is very welcome!
The fundraising campaign runs from now until September 30th, 2015.
The Samuha Samarthya Sustainability Project is happening from October 2015 - March 2016, and we are beyond excited to be one of 17 volunteers going throughout this time!
BENEFIT TO YOU:
We're hoping to draw on the help of the supportive Physiotherapy community in return for positive acknowledgement and recognition. Donors/ clinic names will be thanked personally in our travel blog, and we will be singing your praise to our classmates (who may consider your clinic as a source of future employment!).
*** The clinic that donates the greatest amount will be featured in INDIA - we can wear your clinic's shirt, bring a sign, or find some other way to thank you! ***
WHAT ARE WE DOING IN INDIA?
The money we raise is going towards our goals for this project, which are:
- Update the training manuals for the local workers, and conduct theoretical and practical training sessions. All of the volunteers will partake in a knowledge-sharing environment with the local workers
- Hold educational sessions for community members such as parents/caregivers, teachers, and others to maximize the care and inclusion of people with disabilities
- Teach the local workers to be teachers themselves, to continue the momentum of education without relying on external volunteers
- Raise awareness for Samuha Samarthya, discussing issues surrounding international volunteering and global health
- Create a capacity-building fund to pilot income-generation initiatives such as a Loan Equipment Program
OTHER WAYS TO DONATE: Andrea Mendoza is a Physiotherapist who is organizing the fundraising, so please visit www.physioandrea.ca for more info on the overall project, fundraising details, and to follow how the project unfolds over the next 6 months!You can also send donations via
Thank you SO much for your support in making a change in the lives of those with disabilities in rural India. We are so excited to embark on this life-changing placement and can't wait to share our story with you.
- Rachelle MacDonald, Kate Shaw, Mary-Anne Levson, and Matt Redekopp
