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1½ year old Santosh, whose father earns his livelihood by running a juice stall, was suffering from a hernia since he was 2 months old. A free ‘herniotomy’ operation was performed. His parents said, “We are poor and did not have the money to pay for an operation, but Arpana has taken care of our son and did everything for him. |
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Kavita, wife of a poor laborer, was admitted to Arpana Hospital in a serious condition and immediately operated for illeostomy closure. “I am grateful to Arpana Hospital for giving me free treatment,” Kavita said. |
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Shanti, wife of a Dhaba laborer, was suffering from upper abdominal pain but she did not go to a doctor as she had no money for treatment. Shanti attended the camp sponsored by the Dr. J.K. Mehta Charitable Trust at Arpana Hospital. She was diagnosed as having cholecystitis – stones in her gall bladder. A successful operation was performed. Shanti was deeply relieved that her pain was allieviated and that treatment was free, as she did not have any means to pay for the operation. |
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Bhuvaneshwar Paul, 30, attended Arpana’s speciality camp in Himachal with gastric problems he had had for 8 years. Endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures revealed that he had nonspecific colitis in the anorectal area. A biopsy was taken to rule out ulcerative colitis. He was given appropriate medicines to cure his condition and free him from pain. |
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Sita, who has been virtually deaf since the age of 2, is the 19 year old daughter of the late Fateh Singh of Banikhet. Sita attended Arpana’s ENT Camp where she was fitted with a hearing aid for free in her right ear and, when it started functioning, her smile was really worth seeing! Her mother shed tears of joy and said it is because of the ENT Camp at the Arpana Bakrota Centre that her child now has a hopeful future. |
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60 years old Champa became depressed when the eye sight in her left eye started fading. Due to her poor economic condition, she did not go to any doctor for treatment. Arpana’s eye outreach camp brought her hope by providing her a free eye operation and free medicines. With the help of spectacles, Champa can now see again. |
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For the last ten years, 80 year-old Luxmi was worried when the sight in her left eye started to grow dim. She never thought it would be possible to get any treatment because she had no money. Luxmi attended Arpana’s eye camp and received free treatment. Luxmi said, “Arpana has saved me from a life of dependence by giving me back my eyesight. In Arpana Hospital the poor are treated with respect and loving care.” When she was ready to return home, her smile lighted up our hearts |
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Meena (20), wife of a laborer, was worried when her ultrasound report confirmed that she was carrying three babies. On 12th April, she came to Arpana Hospital and was admitted for a caesarian section. She gave birth to three live baby boys. How jubilant Meena, her husband and father-in-law were! Their gratitude was immense, as their faith in Arpana Hospital was justified since they now had three live babies. They felt it was only the caring and expertise of the gynecologist and staff that brought about this miracle of birth and life. |
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Urmila said, “I am grateful for the excellent treatment from the doctors and the care I received at Arpana Hospital. Arpana’s staff and medical facilities saved the life of my son who was born prematurely at 6 ½ months.” |
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This small appealing baby, Mahak, was brought to Arpana Hospital in a very critical condition. Doctors noted that she was suffering from very high fever and she was immediately put on IV fluids and antibiotics, remaining under the constant supervision of the doctor for 2 days. Her condition gradually improved and she was gradually able to accept spoon-feeds. At the time of discharge her parents said, “We are grateful to God as well as to Arpana’s doctors and staff members for saving the life of our daughter. God bless all of you.” |
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Sunny (7), son of a daily labourer, developed a headache with fever, cough, breathing problems, pains in his right leg and backaches. His ignorant parents took him to a witch doctor, but the treatment did not help. Upon arrival at Arpana Hospital, laboratory and X-ray tests were performed and he was diagnosed with asthmatic pneumonia. He was immediately admitted to the ICU and put on the ventilator. It was the dedicated care of the doctors and nurses, as well as valuable equipment donated to the Hospital by magnanimous donors, that enabled Sunny to recover. As it was, it took 17 days for him to become well. |
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Umesh, son of a poor labourer, was admitted to Arpana Hospital with breathing difficulties. The doctor examined Umesh and diagnosed him as having been bitten by a snake on his head. He was given intensive anti-snake bite treatment and was kept in the ICU for two days, with moment to moment observation and care. Umesh started to improve rapidly and was then shifted to the ward. The joy and relief on the face of Umesh, when he was well enough to return home, reflected the happiness on the faces of the doctors and staff for a life saved. |
Entrepreneur Stories
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Sunita had to sell her jewelry for her grocery shop. But, over the years, with the help of several loans from her women’s self help group, she expanded her business and could repay the loan. Sunita’s standard of living has changed substantially and she is now having her house expanded, of which the construction is still carrying on. She now has a motor cycle, and a mobile phone is next on her list! |
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Tarawati and her husband engaged in a business which incurred heavy losses and they were reduced to total penury. Tarawati became a member of the Sita Group in Kutail Gamri Village and started participating in entrepreneurial trainings facilitated by Arpana. She then learnt machine embroidery in Karnal. She took her first loan of Rs.7000 to buy an embroidery machine and set up an embroidery training centre in a neighboring village. She again took loans to buy a buffalo to support her husband to purchase a video camera and shop premises in a nearby village. Tarawati is now helping other SHG members to become economically successful. |
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Bhagwati and her husband led a hand to mouth existence, both earning wages as agricultural labourers. Bhagwati, seeing the success of women who were members of SHGs, became a member. Despite a limited income, her access to credit made it possible for her to take a loan of Rs.15,000 for her daughter’s marriage, which she is repaying. She has also bought a cooking gas stove, a TV and increased her savings to Rs.100 per month. She has won the respect and regard of her husband and peers. For Bhagwati and her husband the future is full of promise. |
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Sushma - from Labourer to Landlord! Sushma took her first loan from her self help group in Kutail Gamri and started a flour mill. She then took a loan for an auto rickshaw for her husband who is now earning well. A previous labourer in the fields of other farmers, Sushma has recently rented land, for which she herself hires labourers. She earns Rs.10,000 a month - a far cry from her previous low wages as a daily labourer. |
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Nirmala had to support her family when her husband was jailed on a false offence. She took a loan of Rs.10,000 from her self help group to enable her husband (now released) to buy a second hand auto rickshaw. With their earnings, she repaid the loan and took another loan of Rs.15,000 to set up a grocery shop through which she earned Rs.5000-6000 per month. Now the children go to a private school and properly constructed rooms have built in the house. She has won the respect of her community and for women she has become a role model. Her advice is sought and her counsel respected. |
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Seema Devi has brought a buffalo after taking a loan of Rs.15,000 from her self help group group. She is supplying the milk in Mangla market and earning Rs.1, 800 per month. With her savings, she has constructed a new room for her family and is very happy. |
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Sushma w/o Salinder, joined Laxmi Mahila Bachat Samuh, with a hope to come out from poverty cycle. She took loan from Self Help Group and was able to buy an auto rickshaw for her husband. They worked hard and paid their loan in 18 months. She also managed to take 6 acres of land on rent and wants to grow off season vegetables on it. Now, Sushma is able to pay the school fee of her children and is very happy to see her family happy. |
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Meena and her family were leading a life in hand to mouth situation depending upon labour work, which was also not a continuous source of income. After joining SHG, Meena took a loan of Rs. 10,000/- to start a mini flour mill in her village. After getting profit, she added some more grinding machines and returned the loan on time and took another loan of Rs. 30,000/- to help her husband for a “Kabari shop”. Now her husband is earning around Rs.5000/- and she is earning Rs.3000/- per month. |
Farmers Stories
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Shri Nidia Ram, a member of the farmers’ self help group, Gajnoi, is one of the most progressive farmers of Chamba District. Owing to his competence in growing vegetables, he has recently had a polytunnel sanctioned from the Agricultural Department for off-season vegetables. In addition, he has recently obtained a vermi-compost pit sanctioned and constructed from the Watershed Committee sponsored by the Agricultural Department. |
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Shri Amar Singh, a member of the farmers’ group in Kakeyada, after saving money obtained from the sale of vegetables, is now running a Grocery and Confectionery shop and earning Rs.3000-4000 a month. He has realized the benefit of growing vegetables and is now very happy to have a supplementary source of income. |
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Shri Jai Krishan, a member of the farmers’ group in Kakeyada Village, saved the money he obtained from the sale of vegetables and brought a thresher with which he is earning Rs.10,000 per season. |