After several years of participation in polio corrective surgery projects in Western India through several Rotary Matching Grants, it became evident to Culver City Rotarians, Pat Cashin and Dr. Nandlal Parekh, that they needed a much larger 3H Grant in order to take care of thousands, instead of hundreds, of children.  Just in the Indian state of Maharashtra there are over 6,000 children in need of orthopaedic surgery.

Working with  Dr. Madhav Borate of the Pune Parvati Rotary Club in Pune, India, Pat and Nandlal obtained a $240,000 Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grant  from Rotary International for the continuation and expansion of these projects over the next three years. This is the largest grant ever awarded to Rotary District 5280 and the first 3-H Grant known to be awarded for a “club to club” project.

This Grant will make it possible to restore mobility to 2,000 more young people between the ages of 5 and 20 in Maharashtra  who have been crippled by Polio. The project will provide pre-surgical screening, orthopaedic surgery, post operative care, physical rehabilitation and appliances free of charge.  Most of the children come from extremely poor underprivileged and remote rural backgrounds. In addition a self sustaining network with other Rotary Clubs and organizations will be developed to carry on this work.

For several years, Culver City Rotary has sponsored a physical therapy rehabilitation center and a workshop where  braces used following surgery are custom made. Former “crawlers” are employed by the workshop which is now self sufficient, supporting itself by making appliances used by clinics and hospitals in the general area. The new 3H Grant will fund two additional workshops in strategic areas,  making it easier for patients to obtain adjustments, repairs and replacement of their braces.

The Grant with Pune Parvati includes funds to purchase a 14 passenger van (Tata Mobile Clinic Bus), customized so patients wearing plaster casts can be transported comfortably. Seat belts and hand grips in the van are specially designed for the disabled. The van will transport patients, their parents, doctors and support staff and their equipment to and from surgical camps and for continuing follow up care and rehabilitation.

Since 1995, Pat and Nandlal have gone to India to give “hands on” support to these projects. Other Culver City Rotarians who have traveled to India are Past President Chuck Perelman and Ron Brack. The entire membership of the Rotary Club of Culver City gives its enthusiastic support to this huge humanitarian endeavor.

District Governor Vicki Radel and her Rotary partner, Dr. Steve Friedman, joined Pat Cashin on his latest trip to India in January, 2001, to witness activities of the 3H Grant programs and visit two surgery camps at Shirwal and Panvel. Governor Vicki  also attended the dedication of one of the appliance workshops and the new bus.

The trio participated in India’s National Polio Immunization Day on January 21. They were honored to work “hands on” with other volunteers at various immunization sites.  Governor Vicki gave vaccine to a number of young children including a baby who was only two days old. Over 137 million children received the polio vaccine throughout India - ON THIS ONE DAY!

Another highlight of the trip, for Pat, was a visit to the Leprosy camp, outside Panvel,  home to approximately 200 Leprosy patients. The camp director proudly showed him a very welcome gift from the Rotary Club of Manhattan Beach., California:  a solar power generating plant which provides enough energy to supply hot water and electricity to one of the dormitories.

Pat and Nandlal will be going to India in February, 2002, to attend the District Conference of Governor Dr. Madhav Borate in Goa; and to participate in surgical camps of their 3H project. Anyone interested in becoming involved in this project is invited to join them on this trip. Please contact Dr. Nandlal Parekh, (310) 559-9722 or Pat Cashin for particulars.    
      

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ACTION:
 (AUG 12, 2001)