Accident on Christmas Eve

Forty year old Lachi was hit by a bus this Christmas Eve, while driving home from Mathura on his motorbike.   Although he was hit from behind and knocked off his bike, somehow by some great fortune he survived.  His right leg is broken in two places and he got 22 stitches in his head.  The local doctor referred him to the hospital in Agra.

In Agra he underwent one surgery which cost 80,000 rupees (1,784 USD), but the surgery was not done properly and he will have to undergo a second surgery in Mathura. Now Food for Life Vrindavan is supervising his case and we hope this surgery will be a success.  Now the hospital charges are about 2,000 rupees a day apart from the surgery charges, so it is hard to project the final cost at this time. 

For now we need at least 20,000 rupees (446 USD) to cover his hospital stay.  I will update this story with the surgery charges added in once we know the final amount.

Lachi is a "village-style" construction worker (meaning he carries bricks on his head, mixes cement by hand, etc, for about two dollars per day!).  He is also mentally disabled and has four children to provide for.  Let's help him!

Thank You!

Many thanks to Dejan Kocic for coming forward to sponsor Bhawani's entire treatment.  Thank you!

Tuberculosis Patient - Bhawani

Thirty six year old Bhawani is the mother of three children and the wife of a rickshaw puller.  She has tuberculosis, but with no money to spare she has been unable to seek treatment.  Treatment will cost about 15,000 rupees (335 USD) over the course of nine months.  This treatment will likely make the difference between life and death for her, so we really hope we will be able to help her!

New Year Gift Festival Appeal

Dear Friends,

It is again the festive season and a time for reflection, for giving, and for gratitude for what we have.

This is the time when FFLV starts our marathon preparation for the New Year Gift Festival. This Gift Festival is in its 14th year! Since the beginning, thousands of very poor children have been receiving gifts of items on the first of January.

 These presents come in a gift bag and are things that most of these children would otherwise never have a chance to have and enjoy. Last year we distributed 4,000 gift packs, and that was despite the fact that it was a very difficult year financially for everyone. This year, with the help of you and your friends, we hope we can do a bit better.

Let’s try to give these poor Vrindavan children smiles of hope and joy this holiday season.
On our website you will also find a link for the same slide show in Keynote for Mac users and as a PDF. www.fflvrindavan.org/NYGF2011

Donations can be given easily via Paypal. Or, you can send a check to our local office in your own country. A list of their addresses is available from our website: www.fflvrindavan.org/contact