24th - 29th May 2010 - the Week that was ..

The Overseas volunteers in the past have always surprised us with their dedication and zeal for the project . Last year Rahul (from Canada) & Arunjay (from the USA) spared no efforts trying to take the I-Shine message to their known circles, which included celebrities from the Kannada film industries. They also went through tough times , getting through the harsh personal secretaries of celebs and learnt many a thing of the Indian film industry.

They met people and spread the awareness of the I-Shine Message & Stroke Related concepts.

This year , we intend to do more with the new group of volunteers that we get. My sincere thanks to Mr. Venkatesh Murthy & Ms.Sinu Joseph of YFS for taking our appeal for volunteers seriously.

I-Shiner Vyjayanthi has done an excellent job in preparing ADITYA for his school that begins in the firt week of JUNE 2010. Now , she has started the same iniative with MADIHA (an Infantile STROKE case) as well. Here (photo on the right) you can see ADITYA's Session in progress.

MADIHA was born with one half of her body paralysed. she speaks a few words even though she is supposed to be going to school for a year now. What we are trying to achieve, is to make her vocalize and socialize so that she can fit in the regular schooling better.
THIS year's overseas Volunteers ; Ms.Monica and Arkansha (seen in the left) have stepped in quite well in their first week of postings. They have already mingled well with the patients (including STROKE adult and children) .Unfortunately Monica would be with us just for a week , but we will always be proud to have had her as an I-Shiner.
Arkansha would be with us for two months.
Here you see them conducting a group recreational therapy session for the children. MADIHA can be seen in the far left .

This year we have focused on giving more initiative to the volunteers. The Volunteers were allowed , much earlier to start individual sessions with patients.

Here (Above) , you can see our volunteer team leader (ANAND) helping his allotted case , Mr.MEETHALAL, to walk in the external walkway. and then taking an individual session for hand exercises and balance on Saturday 29th May.

Now that the volunteers are coming in, we are going for have a schedule fixed on a rotation system for volunteers posting at the medical records department, STROKE, and orthopaedic department. Hopefully in the comming week we have a more organized formate for the volunteers to follow. More volunteers are still required and we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Special thanks to the above mentioned volunteers, including Harini, Kavya, Dhanush, Malya, Abhishek and the many others who have spent time with us. God bless you all.

J

Meeting with YFS Health & Enviormental Co-ordinator

• Meeting highlights the Mission and Future projects of the I-Shine Project by Jason Furtado.
  
• The Enviormental Project Co-Ordinator , Mr. Vikshut, was shown various areas that could be developed around the hospital. The projects that could be taken up are : Landscaping, Eco-Awareness and No-plastic Drives, Eco-Gift Shop/Fete. He also gave an intro of the various projects being done in Bangalore.
  
• The Health Co-ordinator, Ms.Sinu, announced that there would be 2-3 foreign volunteers coming to st.Marthas. Plus , few more volunteers to help out with the Hospital volunteer axillary.
  
• The hospital PRO was also present at the meeting.
• Two volunteers were present , who would be joining on the 22nd of May 2010, 9 to 1pm, where they would meet older volunteers as well.

The I-SHINE PROJECT Home - The I-SHINE PROJECT

The I-SHINE PROJECT Home - The I-SHINE PROJECT

Beginning to make a new web page called ishine-yellowheart.wetpaint.com

Meeting with Sinu Joseph - YFS (Health Co-ord)

• Meeting was held on 19th May 2010 1.30pm
• An Update was given about the I-Shine Project's work so far and future projects.
  
• Ms.Sinu mentioned about the various health related projects at the YFS.
  
• Jason expressed his sadness that YFS has not been taking keen interest of their project here in St.Martha's
  
• Future projects that can be done include :

1. Volunteer network at St. Martha's
   
2. Eco-Projects like 'Green Serenity Corners', Eco-Friendly Gift Shop, Landscaping projects.
3. Cheers for Children : Paediatric Ward Project ( Co-ordinated by Mrs.Vyjayanthi)
   
4. Good Health Drive : Promotion of Good health & Hygiene through A-V Media.
   

• Was linked with the Environmental Sector Co-ordinator of YFS .
  
• Will be giving basic orientation to two volunteers on 21st May2010.
  
• Will have two overseas Volunteers for a period of 2 weeks to 2 months.
  
• Was assured of YFS fellowship volunteers for long term help.
  

Request to YFS to send more volunteers

There are a lot of projects to be initiated, but lack of dedicated volunteers make us hesitate, therefore we have put forward a request to the 'Youth for Seva' Head, Mr. Venkatesh Murthy , to help us out. He has promptly directed us to Ms. Sinu who is looking after the health division.

We hope to have a better response this time.

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Mission ADITYA

• Aditya is a 5-6year old boy with profound hearing loss. He wears a hearing aid on BOTH hears. One of which I-Shiner VYJAYANTHI had sponsored to be repaired.
• Aditya's Mother is a victim of a broken marriage and finds herself struggling to come to terms with life with a child with special need.
  
• She use to take tuition , but has stopped after her husband left her. VYJAYANTHI is trying to counsel her to start again and be able to stand on her own feet.
  
• Aditya's mother is determined to put Aditya in a normal School . I'm told that she has managed to secure admission in a mission school in cottonpet. They have asked Rs. 20,000. Rs.10,000 fees and Rs.10,000 as donation.
• At present , as we do not have Speech therapy for two months (till July) , I-shiner Vyjayanthi, has volunteered to take special classes to prepare Aditya for school , atleast twice a week.
  
• Aditya will be joining school in June.
  
• We appeal for any help that you can generate for this child. for further details please write to JASON at ishine.stroke@gmail.com
  

Next Mission : Immunization Program

In continuation with the 'Angelica Mission' , we also found that many of the children were never immunized as a result of their poverty. It is a felt need that the following be done :

• A fund created for the Immunization.
  
• The sister In-Charge would identify poor newborns and inform JASON.
  
• JASON would in-turn withdraw from the fund and pay for the immunization program of the baby in need.
  
• The baby's parents would be given a copy of the receipt of payment, a copy of which would be attached to the baby's hospital CARD ( placed in our Medical record department).
  
• The family is informed to come to the hospital on the respective dates to get the child immunized 'free of cost' as the charges have already been paid.
  

Suggestion : if a small booklet of the immunization dates be printed , it would be very helpful .

Recommendation : LAKSHMI or SUKUMAR co-ordinate this Mission. Awaiting their response.

Progress: VYJAYANTHI has already submitted postdated cheques of Rs.500/ month towards the fund. JASON will also do the same. We invite sponsorers for the same.