Save a Mother Houston raises $40,000
Article originally published by Voice of Asia on Sunday May 16th, 2010.
Houston: The two year old Houston Chapter of Save- A- Mother held an elegant fundraising gala, “Mera Gaon”, on May 7 at Ashford Oaks, 2022 Wilcrest Drive, Houston. The event was attended by more than 200 people, for whom the idea of saving mothers dying daily due to maternal mortality in India, is closer to their heart. Around $40,000 was raised at the event for the disadvantaged women in India, thanks to the generous donation of Houstonians.
An Indian woman dies every seven minutes during pregnancy or childbirth, delivers about 210 babies every minute, 50 percent in unsanitary conditions, increasing the risk of infection and even death. A quarter of the world’s total maternal deaths take place in India – the most in any country in the world. Women in India are 60 to 70 times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than in other countries.
Harrowing statistics, but a stark reality. As many as 78,000 women die each year in India from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, according to a recent UNICEF report.
“Despite the fact that we all have moved in life and enjoy secure and healthy lifestyle, marvels of technology, rich nutritional diets, but back home in India, women still face a silent tragedy of death each time they give life a chance. For most of us having a baby is a moment that brings tears of joy and happiness, but for these women there are tears in their eyes too–not of joy of joy but mourning. The reason— a lack of health facilities coupled with the lower social status of the women. Thus violating basic human rights, as it is the right of every woman to give birth without any crisis”, said Seema Kachru, Houston-based PTI Foreign Correspondent and spokesperson for Save A Mother Organization.
The program of the evening commenced with an informal meet and greet session in the foyer. The formal line up of the evening began with basic welcome and presentation enabling the guests, mostly business and community leaders and individual philanthropists, to learn about SAM’s accomplishments and how well their donations are being used. Slide presentation of the program was presented by Dr Shiban Ganju, Founder Save A Mother Organization and his Team Rima Shah & Rahul Singhal, who had flown in for the event from the Chicago, SAM Headquarter.
“Save A Mother project aims to minimize suffering and death associated with pregnancy and childbirth. SAM has working in partnership with local NGOs in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, which has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. SAM trained over 1000 women in health care out of which about 450 were designated as Health Activists (“Swasthya Sakhi”). Also trained 35 master trainers in June 2009 expanded the program to Babina, Jhansi; launched health literacy program in Chikabalapur, Karnataka”, informed Dr. Shiban Ganju, a practicing physician with 36 years of NPO / NGO work.
SAM has a well-marked project plan for 2010 and plans to train 800 more volunteer health activists to cover about 1400 villages by the end of 2010. We also plan to replicate the program in Chickbalapur in Karnataka, Jhansi and Phoolpur in UP. We plan to expand health training into childcare, improving sanitation and prevention of infectious diseases like HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis
Besides, SAM plans to link with various organizations in India, USA and Africa doing similar work. And also plans to launch more chapters in various cities in the USA and India.
President of the Houston Chapter Veena Kaul, thanked the individual donors and organizational sponsors for their support to the organization. She said, “Save A Mother will go a long way with your help and support for the cause of eliminating maternal mortality in India.”
It was followed by an interesting live auction and dazzling Fashions Show of designs by Tory Burch, modeled by Anuva Kachru, Nida Khurshid, Nara Lakhani, Apeksha Rao, Meghan Rao, Megha Tejpal and Ziya Verjee.
Live Auction donors were Karat 22 Jewellers, Chitra Banejee Divakaruni, Pinder and Jug Gill, Veena and Dr. Kuldip Kaul, Aku and Winnie Bedi, Mumbai Spice, Kiran’s Restaurant.
The absorbing and entertaining first portion of the program was followed by sumptuous dinner catered by the popular Bombay Brasserie restaurant. Emcee for the event was ever captivating Jay Aiyer.
The elegant decor, that transformed the Ashford Oaks halls into a village, apt to the theme of the gala “Mera Gaon” was tastefully done by “Mandap Creations”, premier wedding and party decorators. It was awe inspiring for all the guests who enjoyed every minute of their stay at the event. The program closed with a live music by DJ Yogi Goel and his enthusiastic team, who made each guest present at the event to dance on their popular Bollywood numbers till midnight.
