THE BACKGROUND
Cataract is a major cause of avoidable blindness in India and other developing countries. Cataract surgeries can restore someone’s vision, restoring their independence and impacting their community overall. Cataract surgeries performed in metro cities like Chennai can typically cost between INR 40000 to INR 60000 depending on the cases and complexities, due to the cost of using imported lenses. Sankara Eye Hospital (6km from Chennai Airport) is making these surgeries available at a much lower cost of INR 2000.
The actual cost of a cataract surgery is approx. INR 4000. Of the INR 4000, government subsidies and revenues from other surgeries cover INR 2000 of the cost. Although this is a reduced cost, sadly, many still cannot afford it. That’s why we need to raise just INR 2000 per surgery to give the 'Gift of Sight'.
The money raised will be used to provide cataract surgeries for vulnerable seniors (usually 65+ years) in areas around Chennai including neighbouring states.
JUST INR 2000 WILL GIVE SIGHT TO ONE PERSON.
All the funds collected from this initiative will go to the " SANKARA EYE HOSPITAL" located 6 km from the Chennai airport in PAMMAL area. This hospital does about 10000 free surgeries annually under their KANNOLI vision saver project and these funds will be used for that.
WHAT IS CATARACT?
As one ages, the lenses in our eyes become cloudy and cause poor vision and blindness if not treated. This is very common among those who are 65+ years.
ABOUT ME
My name is S.IKSHITA I am 13 years old and in Grade 9 at the Bala Vidya Mandir School, Adyar, Chennai.
With your help, I would love to give sight to people who cannot see the world as we can. This campaign of mine will dramatically transform the lives of the elderly poor who suffer from cataract and need urgent surgery.
I cannot imagine what it is to go blind. The fact that a contribution of just Rs 2000 can make a difference to the life of someone and give them back their sight made me realise that I must do something to help. I was really surprised that it takes just INR 2000 to make a difference at the Sankara Eye Hospital at Pammal, Chennai. It not just restores vision for them but also improves the quality of life for needy people.
I strongly believe that we can help those who are needy and in the process, transform their lives. Please support my campaign and let us together bring light into the lives of these people. Keep funding this till the last date. I would like to raise much more than my goal and help more seniors see again. The "Gift of Sight" is truly the "Gift of Life".
LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL
THE PARTNERS
The funds from this campaign go to Sankara Eye Hospital. All the receipts and 80G tax benefits that you get will be sent to you directly from Sankara Eye hospital who have the necessary 80G certification. For more info on the hospital visit http://www.kannoli.net/. Their initiative to provide free eye surgeries is also supported by the Rotary Club of Madras Fort (RI Dist 3232).
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL
Sankara Eye Hospital is a state of the art, multi-speciality eye hospital located in Pammal, Chennai and has been functioning since 1997 as an exclusive eye care centre with a singular vision of providing high-quality care to all segments of society, rich or poor.
ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF MADRAS FORT
Rotary Club of Madras Fort is part of the Rotary network - a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting changes in communities at home and abroad. Rotary Club of Madras Fort along with its members has used their passion, energy, and commitment to make a difference to the lives of many people over the last 25 years. They are committed to always working towards bettering our world and the lives of those who need help. They have a long relationship and partnership with the Sankara Eye Hospital at Pallam.
Rotary Club of Madras Fort started the Project – “Kannoli -Vision Saver” in 1994 with the following aims and objects.
- Reach out to those who are in need.
- Help volunteers to help those in need of eyesight.
- Provide succour to those without near and dear to take care.
- Assist those who are unable to access a hospital on their own.
- Offer more than sight – Total care with understanding, love and compassion.
- A rural outreach program on eye care with a thrust on villages in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur and Chittoor (AP) districts.
This multidisciplinary hospital has been converted into an exclusive ophthalmic centre since April 1997. As of 2003, there were 91 beds catering to 12,000 surgeries. The bed strength has been raised now to 140 beds with an ultimate annual target of 20,000 surgeries. The Rotary Foundation through Rotary Club of Madras Fort provides support for new equipment and surgical expenditure under their matching grant projects.
TAX BENEFITS:
Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks as SANKARA EYE HOSPITAL is a registered NGO and you can avail of benefits under section 80G of IT act.
FEEDBACK
To ensure that there is complete transparency I shall get a report from NGO (this takes between 2 to 4 months usually after the funds are raised and transferred to them) telling me who benefitted from the funding. The details will then be posted on the UPDATES section of my campaign. As soon as I post an update, the platform will send an EMAIL alert to all the funders - i.e. to you. Click on the link on the email and you can read about who benefitted. That's transparent right.
The below image is an example of the FEEDBACK FORMAT that we will be shared with all my funders.
FAQs
Will we get to know the details of who benefitted?
Yes. After the money has been collected it will be transferred by Fueladream to SANKARA EYE HOSPITAL. We will update you on the details of the beneficiaries as soon as possible. Once we get this information we shall upload a report on the UPDATES section of this campaign. You will then get an alert and can read details about the beneficiaries.
When do I get the receipts?
The receipts will start getting processed about 4 to 6 weeks AFTER the campaign is closed and will be sent to you directly.
How can we fund this campaign with a Cheque?
Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd account details are as below:
BANK NAME: HDFC Bank Limited.
BRANCH: Koramangala( Main Branch). City: Bengaluru - 560095.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 50200013106778
IFSC CODE: HDFC0000053
Please draw a cheque in favor of "Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd", and deposit the cheque into the Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd HDFC Bank account (any branch across INDIA). After you deposit the cheque, please send an email to prasad@fueladream.com AND getintouch@fueladream.com with the following funder information.
1) Name of Funder:
2) Full address with Pin code:
3) Telephone/Mobile no and Email ID:
4) PAN of funder:
5) Cheque number:
6) Amount funded:
7) Whose campaign are you funding. (Name of the person OR campaign number/ID):
After the funds are received and the above details are verified, the fund amount will be transferred to the respective campaign. This can take from 1-3 working days.
How does crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding in India is a relatively new concept and is growing very quickly.
It’s a concept that allows a large number of funders (like you) to fund an idea or a cause or event by giving small amounts of money online. Fueladream.com is a crowdfunding platform in India that allows for such pooling of funds. You can fund innovations and ideas on FuelADream and be the first to get these products or make them come true. You can also do a good turn by funding charities and causes through crowdfunding.
