Operation Shanti e-newsletter May 2006

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e-newsletter May 2006

Friends of Operation Shanti,

Greetings! Welcome to our May 2006 e-newsletter, with news on our activities for the past few months. We'd also like to tell you about our newly released video clip, which you may view on our website. Enjoy, and thanks for your support.

Street People Program in Full Swing

Our Street People Program celebrates its one-year anniversary. We've had quite a year with the destitute kids, moms, and grannies in our Program who live on the streets of Mysore in India.

Through our Street People Program, we reach out to some 25 kids and moms everyday, assist with their health issues and monitor their other basic needs. And our feeding program continues to grow, with over 150 meals being distributed each week.

The big news is the birth of street mom Kumari's baby boy Mohan, on Valentine's night this year. Nobody believed she'd survive another pregnancy; doctors told her that having another child could end her life given her weak physical condition. She actually lost eight pounds during her pregnancy.

	For Kumari, affording adequate and nutritious food is nearly impossible. For six months prior to delivery (and continuing today), we provided Kumari with protein powder, calcium and iron supplements, and accompanied her to monthly doctor visits. Baby Mohan and mom are both very healthy today!
The social stigma of being poor is daunting. Getting proper medical treatment for the destitute is often a challenge. Despite this, we'd like to share just a few things we've accomplished in the past few months:

Jayama

Registered a street grannie at the HIV/AIDS clinic for treatment
Assisted another street grannie with a badly needed pair of eyeglasses and proper attention for a gynecological condition that she suffered with for three months
Assisted Jayalakshmi (50-year old street woman with no family) with getting cataract surgery and follow-up treatment
Admitted little eight-year old Prema to the hospital for meningitis and supported her and her grannie during her three-week stay

HIV/AIDS in India is an epidemic, yet remains a taboo subject. With over 5.5 million infected, India has the second largest population of HIV+ individuals in the world.

In December, we arranged a very well-received and well-attended HIV/AIDS Awareness session for the street moms.

We endeavor to instill in the kids and moms the ability to make their own choices, and to understand that there are consequences to their choices.

Like all kids, our kid love field trips. They especially enjoyed our trips to the zoo and to the famous dam and gardens with our volunteers from the UK and the US. And they most appreciated the visit to the top of the sacred Chamundi Hill and lunch at the Cave Temple on the way down.

The need for our Children's Home and community center grow stronger everyday. Prior to our facilities being opened, we are actively working to admit three of the younger street kids into a residential school for poor children. At this facility, the kids will receive free education, meals, housing, and medical care, until the age of sixteen.

How You Can Help

Donations are the lifeblood of our work. Donate securely today at www.operation-shanti.org.

Every little bit helps. Make a difference with our Change for Life program, described in detail on our website...

...gather up your loose change as a donation to our efforts, and at the same time clean out your bowls and jars.

To volunteer, send us an email and tell us bout your interests and skills: info@operation-shanti.org.

We appreciate your non-monetary contributions: art supplies, clothing, used yoga mats…

Many thanks to the friends of Operation Shanti in Mysore, who continually support our efforts. And, thank you for your support!

Make a Difference. Donate Today.

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