Helping people in India during the COVID-19 crisis: Update May 19, 2021

We just met with one of the NGOs that we work with, that is based in India. This is the WAY CT (We Are With You Charitable Trust), which we advise and fund. Current and immediate needs total USD 1,862 [INR 1,35,850]. If you’d like to help pitch-in, let us know and we will gratefully figure out a way.

Current Initiatives underway:

1. Finding hospital beds. Volunteers are responding 24 x 7
2. Finding oxygen cylinders. Blackmarket prices have come down in the last week. Some suppliers are open to giving a nonprofit discount. So, immediately purchased one cylinder, that is now being loaned out as needed within the community.
3. Established 24 x7 Telehealth consultation, staffed by 6 – 7 doctors per shift, in collaboration with seven other organizations. In demand medicines are not available due to black market and hoarding. We are focusing on helping the most number of people instead of focusing on high cost non available medicines that benefit a few.
4. Distributed groceries to feed 7 families in April month (Serene Swan services)
5. Canvassed carefully, over a whole week, an entire slum area community of 280 families and identified 70 families in dire need.
6. Of these, found a source to fund groceries for 28 families this week. Remaining 42 families to be funded.
7. Prediction: rising need for grocery support if Lockdown continues.

Current Needs:

1. Oxygen Cylinders: 2 (USD 400 [INR. 30,000] each includes: Oxygen Flow meter (Rs. 3,800) and one mask)
2. Groceries (USD 1,062 [INR 77,332], see details below)
3. Mask distribution – Discussed the need for education. WAY CT will explore available volunteers or community members with Sewing Machines. In parallel: Identify optimal designs, materials, source and cost. [Currently people may wrap a handkerchief or dupatta, just to comply with police or government scrutiny… not very effective].
4. Online sessions to keep youth engaged: Audience: 60 to 100 via Zoom and YouTube Live. 90% BTech students, others are recent graduates preparing for Civil Services etc. If you are interested in talking to these students, please tell us.
5. Asked us to talk about:
   1. Fearless Finances
   2. Community Service
   3. Personal and Professional Communication

Details on Groceries:

NEED: Groceries for 40 families. INR 1,850 each (USD 25.27 each)

Oil – 1 kg
Kandi pappu-1kg
Minapapappu-1kg
Idly rava- 2kgs
Chintha pandu -1/4kg
Onions-1kg
Small onions-1/4kg
Endu mirchi-1/4kg
Sugar-1kg
Thalimpuginjalu-1/4kg
Godhuma pindi-1kg
Upma rava -1kg
Salt- 1kg
Pasupu – 100gm
Palilu – 500gm
Rice 25kg – 1000/-

Total- Rs. (INR) 1850/- == USD 25.27 per family per month.

Immediate Actions:

Fund: USD 986 for groceries for 1 month for 40 families

Fund: USD 400 to USD 800 for one or two Oxygen Cylinders

Talk: Sunday May 23, 2021, 6:30PM to 8:30PM IST

8:00AM – 10:00 AM US Central time

Fearless Finances