Project Resound targets avoidable deafness in Karnataka
For the first time, 12-year-old Namratha could hear the sounds around her, including human voices after she was fitted with hearing aids under Project Resound of Rotary Bangalore Brigades, RID 3190. “Diagnosed with congenital deafness at age six, she is a classic example of delayed diagnosis causing delayed treatment affecting her quality of life. It was a joy to watch the instant glow on her face,” said club president Ashwani Kinger.
“To speak like others, Namratha will need speech therapy and training at home and school for months. The hearing aids have brought a quality change in her life,” said Dr M P Raghu, chairman, Project Resound Committee. The club seeks to make a difference in the lives of hearing-impaired children from underprivileged families in urban and rural Karnataka through this project. “We have devised a five-pronged action plan. The first step is to screen children and provide treatment. For serious cases where hearing aids and therapy are required, we have set up a Deafness Control and Prevention Trust Fund to extend necessary aid. Our objective is to send these children to mainstream schools and enable them to have a fun-filled normal life like their peers,” said Kinger.
Children’s park
Local legislator Ramalinga Reddy, along with DG B L Nagendra Prasad and commandant M V Ramakrishna Prasad, inaugurated a children’s park created by the club in partnership with five Rotaract clubs, the Karnataka State Reserve Police and two private firms.
Christened Kalarava Makkala Udyana Vana, the park located at KSRP Koramangala is now reverberating with peels of laughter and joy of around 500 children who live in this residential colony. Club secretary Ravi Gerard was instrumental in planning and execution of the play equipment made with recycled tyres and procuring saplings and fruit trees planted in the park.
LPG iron kits
Under its Livelihood Betterment Initiative, the club distributed LPG iron kits to several beneficiaries who press clothes for a living. This gas box is an eco-friendly alternative to the smoke-filled, coal-fired traditional iron. It offers less strain, is 50 per cent more efficient and saves more time for the worker, said Kinger. DG Prasad launched the initiative by presenting the iron kits to the beneficiaries in the presence of DGE Fazal Mahmood.
The recipient pays what he can, and the balance is borne by the club through donations from its members, friends and well-wishers.
