Paying It Forward
We very firmly believe that we’re here because of the generosity of so many people that came before us. We know some of these people, while there are many whose names and stories are unknown to us. To all of them, our heartfelt thanks. The immense gratitude that we feel is not a debt that needs to be re-paid – we can only pay it forward with a smile. Below is a partial list of people and organizations that were recently helped with the proceeds of Serene Swan Services organization. Some of these will be familiar to those that knew the charitable organization, Timeless Changes Foundation, whose mission was successfully completed in 2019. Others are new. This is a partial list that will be periodically updated. Please reach out to us with ideas on other people or organizations that we may support, or for ways for you to support our efforts.
Addressing Hunger and COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges
Even to this day, many people experience food insecurity and go to bed hungry. Recent events such as the financial challenges that followed the COVID-19 pandemic caused a spike in people looking for help with getting enough food. Many people and organizations are doing wonderful work in the field of providing relief, and we support a few of such compassionate people.
Healthcare for the underserved
Gall Bladder Surgery : An uninsured 65-year old widow in South India was in acute pain at a time when COVID-19 had closed several hospitals. Being without health insurance and having no family to turn to, she was suffering with what could potentially turn to be a life-threatening complication. When the WAY CT folks (see below) alerted us to this woman’s plight, we were quickly able to help fund the surgery. It was gratifying to hear that she is out of harm’s way and is recovering at home.
Sodhana, a non-profit that we’ve been associated with for many years, serves 34 villages. The initiative to provide health camps with a doctor and trained local health advocates in nine of these villages proved successful and was written up in research journals. We support, in part, these health initiatives. During the pandemic, it is heartening to note that partly because of health awareness promoted locally by these health advocates, including temperature screening and a network of health information, not a single COVID-19 positive case was reported in this group of villages.
educating those at-risk
30 blind or low-vision elementary and high school students needed a new building for their residential school. Together with our generous friends, we were able to help with building a brand new school building and sponsor the education of several of these brilliant, active and sometimes mischievous children.
A young woman secured a seat in an Engineering College. Her poor family could support the education of only one child, and they were already committed to educating her elder brother. We had the opportunity to step in and fund this young engineer-to-be as she studies in Guntur, AP, India.
The joy of learning is usually filtered out of standard education. Sodhana, with its innovative children- and fun-focused methodology has brought the joy of learning to thousands of pre-school and early elementary school children in low-income and rural environments. http://sodhana.org.in/about.html Sodhana has made a successful exit from its initial work with balabadi when the state government has agreed to take responsibility for pre-school education We support Sodhana’s new focus of developing primary school education material in a way that is activity-based and makes it more fun for the students.
youth empowerment
We continue to support an orphanage for at-risk young women in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. About 25 to 30 women are at any given time sheltered here and learn livelihood skills while re-developing confidence in the society. Some have special needs for medications and mental health support, while others were runaways or may have been involved with the police for human trafficking or other causes. Graduates of this program have gone on to get married, have children of their own, earn an independent living and start small businesses.
We Are With You Charitable Trust (WAY CT) is a non-profit founded and run by College students. We support their initiatives – financially and with advice. https://wearewithyouct.org In addition, we have produced workshops on Communication skills, Personal Finances and Peaceful Living with this Trust – all aimed at young women and men that are subject to unimaginable pressure by a society that doesn’t always equip them with all the tools needed to succeed.
Padala Charitable Trust (PCT) is a non-profit focused on educating young women on menstrual hygiene, provides scholarships to low-income students and builds life skills among the young. http://pct-india.org We support some of their programs.