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Please contribute to AFNA’s Fundraising for Assam Flood

AFNA has been working expeditiously with our trusted partners in Assam to identify specific initiatives to help Flood Relief for the victims of the devastating floods in Assam. This year we want to do this in a way that can help our contributions have a lasting impact with the annual disaster Assam faces. AFNA is strategically planning a three phased project to not only provide immediate support but help with recovery and long term infrastructure building in the villages. We at AFNA understand that we can not solve this disaster completely, so we are trying to take effective steps in creating a pathway to support the victims of this disaster in areas that we have trusted partners already and then explore new partners in other areas through our network of volunteers. This is what we have right now:

An outline of the three phased approach AFNA is undertaking:

Phase 1: Immediate Relief (for about 10 villages/350 families): Provide funding for non-perishable relief items e.g. boats; water filter kits (bucket, mug, water purifying tablets etc.), mosquito nets, tarpaulins for temporary shelter etc.

Phase 2: Recovery post the Flood: This focuses on the same villages to provide items that will help the villagers in regaining their livelihood e.g. seeds for crops, tat-xal (handlooms) etc.

Phase 3 - Long-term infrastructure work in at least one village (Adopt-A-Village): pick 1 of the 10 villages to build bathrooms, etc. by working with Village Panchayat.

AFNA is hoping to follow through this proposal with an overall estimate of $15,000-$20,000 over a period of one year or more. Please support AFNA by donating to this fundraising either through the FaceBook link or by donating through our website. If you are donating directly through our website please mention Assam Flood Relief in the comment section.

 

AFNA believes in making sure 100% of your contribution gets to the victims of the flood and we are working hard to make that happen. We will update you on the progress we make throughout the project.

 

Thank you for believing in AFNA and for working with us to help the people in need.

5th International Day of Yoga - New York

The Indian Consulate of New York is celebrates the 5th International day of Yoga in partnership with AFNA and 15 other organizations on 23rd June, 2019.This is a free even open to public where several guest speakers will speak on Yoga. All are cordially invited.

The event will be held on Sunday, June 23rd, 2019 at FairBridge Hotel & Conference Center Somerset- Bridgewater, 195 Davidson Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA.

IDY-2019-NY

 

 

Obituary, Himadri Das -  Jan 10th, 1963 to May 3rd 2017

The members and volunteers of AFNA are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Himadri Das who left us very peacefully on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 at the age of 54. He leaves behind his wife, Kyoko Das, who has been a source of infinite strength and support during his struggle with a prolonged illness, and their ten year old son Leo. He also leaves behind his elder son Brian who has been by his side throughout and Brian's mom Nancy. He is survived by his mother, a younger brother, an elder sister and their families in addition to a host of relatives in Assam and all over the world.

Himadri Das, who had an unparalleled dedication and commitment to whatever he did, was very well-respected in his professional and social life. He took medical retirement about a year ago from a Senior Management position in the Finance department of Ford Motor Co. after working there for more than 25 years. Prior to joining Ford he did his Bachelors of Engineering (Mechanical) from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Surat and MS in Mechanical Engg from Auburn University, Alabama. While he was working at Ford he got an MBA from the prestigious Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Site visits -  ANeC & Seneh, April-2017

AFNA Volunteer (and current Board Member & Treasurer) Sarfaraz Taher made visits to our partners Atma Nirbhar - ek Challenge (ANeC) & Seneh. Both these institutions are located in Guwahati. AFNA has a long history of partnership with ANeC who provides meaningful employment to people with special abilities. (Read more here). Seneh is a long term shelter for destitute women who are given a new life after being abandoned by their families. AFNA is also excited to start a new program named Support A Grandma with Seneh. (Read more here).

Please read the site visit reports below:

The story of Natasha Rai and AFNA’s volunteer spirit: A ray of hope for a successful Natasha and better Assam to dream and live

Prelude:

Natasha’s mother died when she was 4yrs old. After her mother’s death her father sold off all their property and was staying in rent house with his brother (Natasha’s Paternal Uncle Mr. Janak Rai).And Natasha was admitted in a boarding School in Shillong. But after five years, in 2011 Natasha’s father died in an accident. After his death her Uncle was paying boarding fees of Natasha but now he is sick and addicted to drugs and has no job. So he kept her in one of their relative’s house, aunt Stella Warjri. There she started studying in Holy Cross School. (Now she is class IX.) But unfortunately, after six month Natasha was physically abused by her uncle which led to police case, and Natasha was shifted to stay in Children’s Home, Shillong. That incident mentally broke her down. So, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Shillong transferred her case to Guwahati CWC and she was given temporary shelter in Snehalaya and meanwhile Snehalaya was ordered to trace her uncle, Janak Rai. After tracing her Uncle, he let us know that he is unwilling to keep her with him or take any responsibility of her. He says he is sick and has no income.  A social investigating report also cleared that her uncle is not fit person to take Natasha’s responsibility. Therefore, CWC ordered to keep her in Snehalaya and admit her in a good school in Shillong since she was studying there from her childhood. 

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