Adopted Deaf and Autism schools of SEDB in Vizianagaram, AP, India from 2022 onwards:
In 2023, Maanavseva board identified and adopted a school for deaf and mentally challenged children in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh under the management of Society for Education of Blind and Deaf (SEDB) and committed to support them for their various needs such as infrastructure, additional equipment and operational needs. There are 2 schools (for deaf and autism children) that are run by SEDB. Please visit the link below for https://www.sedbvzm.org/ further details regarding this society. After physically visiting and ascertaining the eligibility and the needs for these schools Maanavseva provided the following funding support so far:
(a) from April 2023 till March 2024, through our partner non-profit BIGHELP based in Boston, we funded $5,000 by way of supporting the salaries of the schools teachers and staff.
(b) In addition through our active core volunteer effort and network of connections, we were able to secure Rs. 5 Lakhs corporate donation to the schools.
(c) Through BIGHELP efforts, the Autism school was also able to procure and establish physical therapy center at the premises. Another volunteer donated Rs. 1 Lakh to hire a physical therapist. These donations have directly benefited the Autism school children.
(d) For the year 2023-2024 Maanavseva was able to provide similar funds of $5000 through our Indian partner NGO (ECK Development Trust) to fund salaries for the school teachers and staff.
(e) Maanavseva together with our Indian NGO ECK and Digumarti Foundation have initiated our Mother and Child Program in those schools. After initial awareness camp on 31st July, Dr. Leela Digumarti and Dr. Raghunadha Rao Digumarti conducted their 1st round of HPV vaccinations to the eligible children on 30th August together with a screening camp for Mothers and Teachers.
COVID relief activities in India (2020-2021):
We have raised more than $65,000 in partnership with other local organizations during COVID and provided much needed supplies such as Oxygen Concentrators, Masks, Gloves, PPEs and other supplies to identified hospitals and NGOs in India.