International Day of People with a Disability: We love and adore these kids!

The kids who attend our disability Centre are super excited about their Christmas Party ...they love any excuse to sing, dance and play party games. Here they are last year when they received the gift of a warm jumper.

Today 3rd December is the ‘International Day of Disabled Persons 2023’ and as a member of the Project Help India team, I celebrate the 14 kids who attend the Project Help India Disability Centre in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand in Northern India. We are thankful for the child's unique gifts and beautiful personality. These kids make our lives richer …it is indeed a privilege to educate, help and care for them, to learn alongside them and be inspired by their optimism, courage, determination and resilience in the face of incredible challenges and daily adversity.

I am especially grateful for the many people whose kindness and generosity makes it possible for us to fund our Disability Centre. Our Centre is unique to much of India where children with a disability are marginalised and have no access to education. If these 14 children did not attend our centre, they would not go to school at all.

With just three weeks to go until Christmas, Project Help India is trying to raise $6000 for our Annual Christmas Appeal, which will enable us to give a Christmas present to the 600 students at our 14 centres. We will also use donations to purchase food and goodies to have a Christmas party, and concert for parents, at each of our centres.

Thanks again, love Doug
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Every $5, $10, $20, $50+ tax deductible donation received by Project Help India goes a really long way in making a significant difference in the lives of children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend school or celebrate Christmas this year.

You can make a donation HERE

Read more about International Day of People with a Disability HERE

Please also help me to promote this cause and fundraising appeal by sharing my blog with your family, friends and network. I would really appreciate it.

Adnan's Story

Adnan first enrolled at our Disability Centre in 2019. He was a beggar and he did not talk. He was incredibly violent and he would throw anything he got when someone tried to talk to him. At age five, he fell from the terrace of his home and suffered a head injury causing cognitive impairment. His parents had no money to pay for medical help or rehabilitation. He was unable to speak properly and the local school would not enrol him. He became a very stubborn boy and he would run away to the market and beg. His mother says that he would return from the markets with wounds, caused by people hitting him. People would also hurt him because they believed that his disability was a curse or a punishment for sins committed by his ancestors.
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When we heard about Adnan, we approached his parents and asked if we could help. We believed nothing but the best for this young boy. Close to five years later you would not believe the difference in him. In October due he escaped a kidnapping attempt due to child safety lessons at school. Just this month his parents have told our staff that despite some serious ongoing medical needs, he has become a happy and well-adjusted child. Adnan enjoys dancing, singing and he is making progress with his academic studies as well. He dreams of one day becoming a policeman, and we just never know – his dreams just might come true.