 Team Reports |
Raj and the Rotary ClubsGrace Wood — Mississauga, ON
Before the Mumbai 2009 team was cleared to travel to India, Mr. Rajnikant C. Reshamwala, C.P.A., better known as Raj, became a very familiar name. Raj is a prominent member of the Rotary Club of Bombay and coordinator of the “Slumber Kit Project” in India. He was president in 1997 to 1998, and has been involved with Sleeping Children’s India distributions since 2001. The Canadian travelling team was to be his guest for two weeks. Although the trip was uncertain because of “Twenty-six Eleven,” the date of the Mumbai bombings in 2008, Raj was in constant contact with our team leader, Doug Cunningham, preparing for the team’s visit to Mumbai. Raj works long hours each day as a chartered accountant, attends as many Rotary functions as possible, and enjoys the company of his two children and three grandchildren. In addition, six months before the Canadian team is due to arrive in Mumbai, Raj and eleven committee members begin the hard work of selecting the Rotary clubs and schools for the project, and organizing the bedkit items for the distributions. Twenty-three rotary clubs were selected for the 2009 distribution. The clubs selected the children and Raj and his team instructed them on the distribution process. They worked hard. They were passionate and caring and showed genuine love for the children. They did an amazing job working with the Canadian team at each location, distributing the bedkits.
These Rotary Clubs are extraordinary and responsible for many humanitarian projects in India. They are building and renovating schools in underdeveloped areas, they provide scholarships for the children, and they fund hospitals and other projects. The team saw a new school under construction at Palghar funded by that city’s Rotary Club. After the children occupy the new school the old one would be demolished and a new extension built. We were also privileged to visit the Hassanali Tobaccowala Eye Centre, where top eye doctors care for hundreds of patients for free and distribute eyeglasses to needy children. It is in a quiet peaceful rural area, with large shade trees. The Team enjoyed the amazing hospitality of Raj and the Rotary Clubs at all the distribution sites. Meals were plentiful and delicious. At any one site, there could have been up to six clubs responsible for selecting and transporting groups of children. The clubs loved photo opportunities and so, before we were allowed to pack up the bedkit display, we were encouraged to pose for photos with the local club members, at each site. On the days when there were three distributions the team was treated to delightful fruits and sandwiches after each distribution.
It was a pleasure working with Raj and the Rotary Clubs in Mumbai and surrounding areas to help 4,000 children enjoy a good night’s sleep. |
