Category Archives: Projects

Spreading Smiles, Saving Lives – SIFI’s fund raising photo walk

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SIFI is happy to launch its maiden fund raising event: ‘Spreading Smiles, Saving Lives’, a photo-walk for a social cause. All photo enthusiasts are invited to be a part of the walk that will focus on the nuances of photography for causes. The proceeds from this walk will go towards the cause of Vision Ventilator – donating a ventilator to the Chengelpet Government Hospital.

On event day:
• Participants interact with photographers from across the city and click photos during the walk
• Participants are encouraged to bring photos based on the theme ‘a journey called life’. An open discussion on such photos will be undertaken to offer comments and suggestions.
• Talk by Sriram Sabhapathy on social photography. He is an avid photographer whose photos may be viewed at http://www.sriramphotography.com/

After the event:
Each participant may send 2 photos (with caption) shot during the walk. The top 12 photos, adjudged by a professional photographer will go into making a calendar for 2012. All due photo credits will be mentioned.

The event is divided into 2 sessions :
Session 1 : 26th January 2012 around Triplicane
Session 2 : 5th February 2012 around Mount Road/Parrys

A fee of Rs 100/- will be collected from all participants and will go towards the cause of Vision Ventilator. Participants are encouraged to donate over and above the fee on the event day.

Interested persons are requested to register at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGZqcGdMaVZtTElUeEs4dl8xTUVveGc6MQ

The story of a little girl called ‘Chinnamma’

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I met Chinnamma when I had gone to visit activities of an NGO in Madurai (TN) called Littles Trust. Littles were celebrating their 9th anniversary and had assembled kids from all their centers across 16 villages around Madurai. There were about 265 children and 20 volunteers and management members present, but there was this one little girl with a wonderful smile expressing a real ‘free bird’ feeling who attracted me most and in the end even inspired a bit. Curious to know more about her, I went to Mrs. Vardhini (Founder – Littles Trust) and started speaking about Chinnamma. What started as a funny conversation with Mrs. Vardhini and Chinnamma turned out to be something extremely poignant and thought provoking for me.

Chinnamma was (and is) an extremely sharp and smart kid – with good skills in Mathematics. Ask her what is the balance when you have spent 2 rupees out of 10 rupees, she points out to you and laughs saying ‘idu kuda teriyada ungalukku??’ (Don’t you know even this?) J Not only could she answer the question but she could also make good fun of you, sensibly. But only later did I learn that Chinnamma was ‘disgraphic’ – she cannot write her own name on a piece of paper. We definitely have heard of dyslexia (thanks to Tare Zameen Par!) but how many of us have heard about disgraphia?

Chinnamma has been studying in class II for probably 3 consecutive years now. Chinnama does not care about all these, and all she wants to do is to enjoy and have a good life – be smiling as always as in this photograph. Mrs. Vardhini has very encouragingly agreed to coach Chinnamma in the coming academic year and make her appear in Class V examinations independently, given that schools have lost hope on Chinnamma.

Thinking about the larger picture, few thought-provoking aspects:

  1. Every problem has a solution and until you figure that one out, it is ok, don’t freak out and freak the rest of the World out. Thinking of the larger picture, your problem was probably nothing!
  2. ‘Thank god’ Chinnamma. There are still ‘real people’ like Mrs. Vardhini on earth to help you, unconditionally.
  3. Kudos to the spirit of Chinnamma – the ever smiling and I don’t care attitude is something I and a lot of people today in cities need to learn. Just imagine what would you have done, had you flunked in a single paper in your school examinations?? (leave flunking a year or worse 2 years).
  4. Everything serious need not be showcased in an emotional manner – I refer to my interaction with Mrs. Vardhini and her introduction of Chinnamma. It was just said as a matter of fact, with no desperate attempt to evoke any kind of emotion or sympathy/empathy in me.

- Sriram Sabhapathy; Visited on November 12, 2011

Here is what Madurai Messenger – Times of Madurai, had to say about Littles Trust.

Vision Ventilator

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Value of life is often undermined as we are overwhelmed by the routine of everyday activities. We often take life for granted, just carrying out mundane roles day after day. But if we took a moment to reflect on the meaning, purpose and value of life, we begin an insightful journey to the true essence of life itself. There is no doubt that few days to a dying person are more valuable and memorable than the same few days to a robust youth. He tries to live every moment to the fullest, understanding that his end is near.  But not everyone has to have a sad ending. Miracles that rewrite destiny do happen. What if you want to be one such miracle; invested with the power to change lives of many who live to see their dreams accomplished? What if your investment made all the difference between life and death?

You can be all of this by investing with SIFI’s first fund raising campaign - VisionVentilator. Through this campaign, SIFI seeks to raise INR 2.5 Lakhs to purchase and donate a ventilator to the Government hospital in Chengelpet district (Tamil Nadu).


What is a ventilator?

A ventilator is a medical instrument that supports the life of a patient, typically infants by providing sufficient oxygen for proper functioning of lungs. Generally used on seriously ill patients, it reduces the risk of death to a great extent.

Why donate money for a ventilator?

Most government hospitals lack necessary funds to buy a ventilator and resort to renting old, dilapidated ones. The daily rent charges vary from Rs 750/- to Rs 1,500/-. Due to its high cost, many patients are denied their right to imperative healthcare and right to life. These ventilators are used in the Neo-natal ICUs, and without them, the mothers have to use manual bagging machines, which means that if they are not very careful, the pressure exerted may be a little more or less that may prove to be fatal to the newborn.

We believe that funding a ventilator will save many lives and will make sustainable impact. Come, join us to breathe lives into people! Please contact us for any further details. You can transfer funds electronically, mail a cheque or donate in cash.