Dear Friends,

Operation Blessing India was able to do many wonderful things last month. One of them was that we were able to reach to as many people as possible during the Bihar Flood. We were also able to travel to Manipur, a state in North East India for Eye Camps and Cataract Surgeries. All these and many more happened because of supporters like you who make the right to humanitarian assistance a reality. With your support, we can now respond quickly and effectively to many urgent pleas and requests. So thank you for your timely gift.

Zingnim, a retired school teacher is the life of his village Laldang in Manipur. Active, enthusiastic, helpful, he loves doing social work and teaching the kids of his village the values of life. Everyone felt blessed knowing him. He, however started having some problems with his vision. It became more chronic that he lost sight in one eye. Regaining it meant a travel of over 80kms to Ukhrul, were an eye surgeon was available. This made Zingnim despondent as not only was the distance a problem but there was no way he could afford the surgery. At a time when all hope seems to have faded away, OB India, along with a team of eye specialists came to Laldang village.

Zingnim’s eye was tested and he was advised immediate surgery in Ukhrul. The surgery was a successful one. The new lease of life he received due to the surgery arranged by OB India can be felt as he gratefully commented ‘I am ready to prepare this generation of children for the future! I thought I had reached the end of the road but Operation Blessing India changed all that! Now I will be able to help a lot more people… specially children.’ Thirteen year old Venkatesh lost his parents, who were stone cutters when he was only 4 years old. His sister Hanumama, who was just a few years older, had to take care of him. They had no option but to take to rag picking to support themselves.

Things took a turn for the worst when Venkatesh’s sister passed away in March 2005. Venkatesh was left all alone roaming the streets of Hyderabad. Concerned about his future, OBI put him in a hostel. He found it very difficult adjusting to the new environment. After teaching him the basic learning program, he was admitted to the 3rd Std in a Government School in June 2005. The OBI team visits him at least once a week to encourage him. He has learnt to live a disciplined life. A good report of his improvement and development has been given by the school and hostel warden.

The effort taken by OBI has been to build a strong foundation for Venkatesh’s future so that he will be able to stand on his own feet and earn a dignified living for himself.

There are many such children OBI helps with your support. Let us go through the accomplishments of the past month. We had 38545 people responding to our TV programs through calls, letters, email and SMS.

*** 54902 people received medical care in 89 camps.

*** 271 cataract surgeries were performed.

*** 1188 HIV patients were given medicines for opportunistic infections with food supplements and counseling.

*** We also distributed 2737 Eye glasses and provided 550 Food and essentials Bags.

*** Free medical treatment was given to 3672 Bihar Flood survivors at the relief camps.

*** 59 fresh water bore wells were drilled. They benefited 20250 people. And finally, we had 11999 people visiting our websites.

because of your help, many lives have been changed, just like Venkatesh and our friend in North East India.

Thank You

Dr. Rajesh Dasari, Director,

Operation Blessing India