Testimonials
Nikita
Chhattisgarh, Ekam Surgery support Program
A less privileged family in Chhattisgarh celebrated the birth of a baby girl after a 5-year-old son. However, very soon the baby Nikita (name changed) was having breathing difficulty and often turning blue. The family soon discovered Nikita had a life-threatening congenital heart problem and needed a pediatric cardiac surgery which is very critical and expensive. Despite financial challenges, the determined father sought help from a renowned Kolkata hospital. Ekam Foundation Mumbai stepped in to support the expensive surgeries, Arterial Switch and VSD Closure, saving four-month-old Nikita's life in March 2021. The family is deeply grateful for the assistance that granted their daughter a painless and healthy new life.
Ahad Shaikh
Mumbai, Ekam Surgery support Program
Meet 7-year-old Ahad Shaikh (name changed), a resilient Thalassemia Major warrior from a small Mumbai family. His dad, the sole breadwinner as an auto driver, faced the challenge of providing for Ahad's treatment. Diagnosed at 3 months, Ahad endured seven years of blood transfusions until Ekam Foundation Mumbai and other trusts stepped in. In late 2021, Ahad received a successful bone marrow transplant (BMT) with Ekam Foundation's crucial support. Ahad resumed school in 2nd grade, and is back to being a healthy and happy child, thanks to the generosity that gave him a chance at a normal life.
Khushboo
Mumbai, Ekam Program
Khushboo (name changed) was studying in class 10th during the pandemic. She lives with her younger brother and grandparents in Mumbai. They migrated from Assam in 2008 and the grandfather takes care of the family alone. "My grandfather works at a local mosque and during the lockdown, we received help from NGOs and local administration for food, but no one was there to support education. It would have been heartbreaking if I had to drop out of Class 10th after years of hard work. Thanks to Ekam Foundation Mumbai who supported me, I will now complete my final board exams."- Khushboo, 16 yrs, completed 10th standard from a Mumbai-based school.
Ketki
Mumbai, Ekam Surgery support Program
Three-month-old Ketki (name changed), the youngest of three daughters in a Maharashtra farming family was struggling with severe breathing issues. Ketki was diagnosed with a complex heart defect that required expensive surgery. The family, impacted by lockdown restrictions, faced financial challenges. Bhaskar (name changed), the sole earner, dreamt of a healthy future for Ketki but lacked the funds for her treatment. Ekam Foundation Mumbai's partial funding for the surgery became a lifeline, lifting a significant burden off Bhaskar's shoulders. "Ketki is my youngest daughter. We felt very helpless seeing her fight this severe disease. Thankfully, we received your support on time," expressed Bhaskar to Ekam Foundation Mumbai after Ketki's successful surgery. The picture captures Ketki's journey towards a healthier life.
Heena
Mumbai, Ekam Education Program
Heena, an aspiring air hostess and one of the brightest students in her class, faced unique challenges in her pursuit of education when she was in the grade nine in 2020. Despite cultural pressures that led her sisters to drop out of school, Heena was determined to break the pattern. The onset of the lockdown in March 2020 brought a new set of challenges when Heena's father had a debilitating accident, leaving him bedridden for several months. Faced with the financial strain on her family, Heena contemplated quitting school. However, her school's management connected her with Ekam Foundation Mumbai. With Ekam’s support, Heena continued her studies, adapting to online classes during the pandemic. Remarkably, she not only focuses on her education but also harbors a desire to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene among her peers. In a time when many of her classmates had to return to their hometowns without means to cover expenses, Heena considers herself fortunate to continue her education safely. The Ekam Education Program played a pivotal role in ensuring that Heena’s dreams remain undeterred despite the challenges she faced in 2020, and continues to support her education for the 4th consecutive year as of 2023.
Mrinal
Mumbai, Ekam Surgery support Program
Meet Mrinal (name changed), a beneficiary of the Ekam Surgery Support Program in Mumbai. When she was five months old, Mrinal's health struggles - cold, breathlessness, and blackening in fingernails - prompted necessary investigations, revealing a congenital heart defect. The proactive doctor performed her first surgery at seven months, but further consultation indicated the need for another heart surgery (Tricuspid Atresia s/p BD Glenn). The total treatment cost was daunting for Mrinal's parents, who, undeterred, sought support from trusts aiding less privileged children. Ekam Foundation Mumbai promptly stepped in, making the second surgery possible. Post successful intervention, the elated parents returned home to Panvel with their child, a testament to hope and the crucial support provided by Ekam Foundation Mumbai.
Shobita Khanna
Kolkata, Ekam Surgery support Program
Six-year-old Shobita (name changed), a bright student from Howrah, Kolkata, was diagnosed with a severe steroid-resistant strain of Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in 2016. The treatment required four injections for which the expenses were to be paid over three installments of six months each. During the intermittent periods of relief after the initial treatment, Shobita tried to resume schooling but again faced challenges as her fever persisted, and the impact of the steroid-heavy medicine took a toll on her spirits. In late 2017, she returned to the hospital for another round of treatment. Ekam Foundation Mumbai, newly partnered with hospitals in Kolkata, took on Shobita's case referred by a local hospital, and generously supported her case in 2018-2019. Shobita responded well to the medications and is now on her way to good health.
Kailash S.
Puducherry, Ekam Education Program
Kailash was an 8th-grade student at Stansford International School, Puducherry, when he connected with Ekam. He had excelled with a 92% score in the 7th grade. He continues to be one of the brightest students in his class with keen interest in Mathematics and English subjects. Kailash faced adversity when his father passed away from pulmonary tuberculosis and Covid Pneumonia in April 2021. Kailash's mother, coping with her own health issues, relied on a monthly widow's pension of Rs. 2,000. Financial constraints led the family to live with Kailash's grandparents and maternal uncle, the latter being a fresher at Muthu Finance and pursuing further studies. Kailash's grandfather contributed as a driver. Despite these challenges, Kailash, the sole child, aspires to join the Indian Army, demonstrating resilience amid adversity. The family's situation prompted Ekam Foundation Mumbai to step in and support Kailash's education.
Venukanti Nandini
Telangana, Ekam Education Program
Nandini was studying in Second year BBA in Chaitanya Deemed to be University, Warangal, Telangana. She was living with her mother and older sister studying M.Sc. (Chemistry). Her father passed away in 2014 due to a heart attack. Nandini’s mother lost her job due to the pandemic and suffered from health issues such as cholesterol, migraine and back pain. The mother resorted to taking a loan from someone and even went to the extent of selling her gold to meet their daily necessities. Despite the challenges, Nandini dreams to be an Army officer. She has earned a ‘C’ certificate as an NCC (National Cadet Corps) Cadet. Her biggest achievement in NCC is receiving BEST CADET AWARD in the two years of journey. Ekam Foundation Mumbai supports her endeavours and hopes to see her achieve her dream.
M Subbriya
Sivaganga, Ekam Education Program
M Subbriya, a B.Com. Professional Accounting (PA) student was in her 3rd year at Sankara College of Science and Commerce, Coimbatore, residing in the small village of Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, she lost her father in 2005 due to a tragic incident on her birthday when he slipped into a well. Her mother, an Anganwadi worker, earned Rs. 6,000 per month, which proved insufficient to support M Subbriya's education. Complicating matters, her mother, a heart patient, faced additional challenges when she contracted Covid in May 2021, requiring multiple (7+) surgeries. Subbriya's elder sister was married, and her brother earning a modest salary of Rs. 5000 at James & Co., was burdened with repaying the loan for their sister's wedding. Amid these difficulties, Ekam Foundation Mumbai stepped in to alleviate the financial strain on Subbriya's family through the Ekam Education Program. This support enabled her to continue her studies. Despite the hardships, Subbriya aspires to pursue the US Certified Management Course and the US Certified Public Accountant course.