There comes a time in everyone’s life when one must pause to reflect and contemplate the journey thus far. Perhaps there are regrets about not having attained greater heights. Or, possibly, there is a quiet satisfaction about one’s current status and achievements. Regardless, there is always a momentary thought that hearkens back to our roots and origins. It is to that prized thought that we address this appeal.
No matter what or where we are today, we never forget those we left behind on far-off shores. There is always a bond that calls out to us wherever we live across the globe. Some of our brethren, in the homeland we left behind, may not be as fortunate in their circumstances as we have been and we must never forget that.
It has always been our fervent desire, individually and collectively, to offer our help and humble aid to those in need. Whether affluent or those of much more modest means, there has always been a willingness to serve this cause and we are forever grateful to all those who have contributed to our efforts. As they say, there must be as much grace in receiving as in giving. Our people have always been gracious in both.
Meanwhile, a tiny cynical part of our practical mind wonders whether we are doing the right thing or not. Is the aid going to the most deserving? Are the people serving this aid upstanding and honourable? Do the people receiving the aid cherish it at all? And so on. But, we have always followed a transparent path, with all the ethics and humility in our work. We shall continue to do so in spite of the terrible cynical world that we have come to live in, in modern times. This is our solemn oath.
We are assisted in our sincere efforts by an organisation that has been providing yeoman’s service for the people of our community for some time. This is the Hitharakshana Vedike based out of Karkala, Karnataka, India. (Address and contact details are given below). They painstakingly identify people from our community who are in dire need of help. This could be in the form of financial assistance, food supplies, clothing, amenities, medications and products for personal hygiene and cleaning.
Therefore, in collaboration with this organization, we have planned the following programs to which we appeal to our members to contribute as much possible or as needed:
- Kutumba Chaitanya Nidhi: This program is targeted at the needy and the poor people of our community who have been struggling to fulfil their basic needs. A basic amount of Rs. 2000 (AUSD40) per month per family would be barely sufficient but would go a long way in providing them with some food supplies, basic clothing, personal hygiene and health products, soaps and detergents, sanitary napkins for the women, and more.
- Vidya Poshak Nidhi: The fundraised under this program shall go towards the education of the poor but meritorious students from our community who would otherwise find it difficult to continue their academic endeavours. Usually, this aid would be in the form of academic fee payments or towards academic costs.
- Adopt-a-Family: As the name suggests, it ought to be possible for our contributors to fund a family with the bare minimum required to sustain their basic necessities on a monthly basis. Again, we suggest a minimum of Rs. 2000 (AUSD50) per month to provide them with basic food supplies, clothing, personal health and hygiene products and other basic amenities as required.
- Pay-as-you-wish: Our members may not always be able to sustain a long-term commitment to donate money or in-kind to our needy people. Therefore, it is suggested that members may contribute any amount they wish to our association’s bank account (details below) as they please. There is no big or small amount. There are only big or small hearts. Pay according to your ability to provide any aid.
As we have mentioned, none of this is opaque. With the funds provided, the associates of AMKA purchase the products needed on Amazon which is then sent directly to the end-users, the needy families that we provide for. There are no middlemen or people who could profit from these activities. Even the collaborating forums exist as collaborators merely for the purpose of clearly identifying the needy people in our community since they can do so with their physical presence in those regions. Therefore, we urge you to donate as much as you can, each according to your desire and ability. There is a world that we have left behind that cries for our help. It is our conscience which shall answer their cries. May we discover the grace and the humility to pay homage to our roots. Thank you for your patience in reading this appeal.
Details:
Hitharakshana Vedike
Address : “Panchajanya”,Opp Abharan, Main Road, Karkala 57410
Phone: +919448760380 (pp) Vivekanand Shenoy
Amchi Melbourne Konkani association INC. ABN: 22 406 925 904
Site: www.amka.com.au
Email: gsbmelbourne@gmail.com
Contact Person: Shweta Pai (President) +61469921910
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KONKANIMELBOUNEAUSTRALIA
Account for Donations: Bank of Melbourne, BSB 193879 Account number: 449638274