FUNDRAISING GOALS

Background:

Hassan Akmal received his M.P.H. from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and is the founder of Invitation Relief, a Non-Profit for Forced Migration and Refugee Relief. Akmal embarked to India in July 2006 to make post-tsunami assessments and help set up a new technology platform which is readily available today: tele-medicine. Akmal took advantage of this opportunity and partnered up with SANGHA, another non-profit focused on building communities, traveling to India with U.S. based team of medical and health professionals in order to further develop an adaptive curriculum and identify existing disparities. The efforts focused on neglected populations and underserved areas, such as Andaman and Nicobar Multiple Rehabilitation Center for Handicapped Children which is home to over 100 deaf, blind, and disabled children. The team received the generous support of Baptist Health Systems and the use of their telemedicine platform. The islands have the ability for videoconferencing and the team took an IT specialist to obtain an IP address to enable the use of webcasts for teaching purposes. The effort was successful and the new telemedicine platform is now able to provide the participants with certificates/diplomas through the collaboration of University of Miami, Dr. Florida International University, and Columbia University.

The Challenge:

While giving essential basic health and training lectures to local nursing staff on the islands, Akmal conducted public health assessments and simultaneously engaged in discussions to improve the overall livelihood of the center for mentally and physically challenged children. Lack of basic essential needs incuding food, blankets, shelter, medical supplies, wheelchairs, walking canes for the blind and support for disabled, transportation and costs to and from shelters, as well as tutoring, education, and educational materials were found from dozens of assessments conducted. The government refuses to release funding for these children with special needs and the majority of NGOs and local organizations are immersed in basic emergency relief delivery for the mass populations affected by the tsunami, neglecting these children and simply reporting as to not having the time nor extra funds to help them adequately grow.

The Mission:

Invitation Relief hopes to help underserved communities through improved access to education and enterprise by using cost effective technology and strengthening local resources: "Micro/Macro-Enterprise".

The mission is to optimize educational and medical infrastructure by increasing capacity of local personnel and organizations. By building a stronger foundation for the education of the center and providing sustainable strategies for micro enterprise, Invitation Relief hopes to help build on local medical care through continuing medical education of physicians and education for improved public health of local communities.
The value, Invitation Relief believes, is that native programs, infrastructure and organizations have unique strengths in identifying areas of need and opportunity. Thus, we will network within communities to set up ongoing processes that will continue to grow a community's natural resources and confidence.

Our Message:
"Unity through Charity, Understanding, and Moral Leadership"

Your Invitation has Arrived:
Amidst the blind orphaned children singing songs of hope in a number of languages, deaf children dancing to vibrations of music, mentally challenged teenagers not having enough food to eat and only tea for dinner, but inspired to pray until the morning dawn, and very special and united center separated by stigmas from the community, just hoping to be discovered, eight deaf boys discovered the treasure of Islam. Hassan Akmal, President of Invitation Relief, taught the handicapped children in sign language, writing in English on paper, and by using gestures during a three week post-tsunami intervention training for local health professionals and aspiring students. The boys who took shahadah at the end of the three weeks in writing, some Christian and some Hindu, others unsure about God's existence in general, would write questions on their hands and put them forward each day. When no room was left for answers on a hand, the next boy would put his hand forward.

To donate, visit: http://www.invitationtothetruth.com/donations.html

Recent Developments:

Since July 2006, Invitation Relief has helped facilitate over 15 shahadahs worldwide and is raising funds for these boys' basic necessities including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. These eight boys have since, gone child-to-child, teaching other deaf children about Islam within the center in addition to attending the Musjid regularly.

Financial Goals and Need: [Based on a 5-year Goal Analysis]

Overall livelihood for 100 handicapped Children (includes food, clothing, and blankets): $16,737 (<$200/child)

Home/Workshop Basic Renovation (building another floor, cleaning, walls, carpets, bathroom, etc.) for 11 Deaf Children + Deaf Teacher (which will be their home as well): $10,000

Minimum of 2 Teacher Salaries which includes the deaf children’s teacher and general subjects teacher for the entire center (5000 rupees per teacher/month= 60,000 rupees/year= $1333 year -> x 2 teachers =$2666/year * 5 years= $13,330): $13,330

Bus Transportation and Maintenance for bus which was donated by a French NGO (only gas and driver costs needed now); 5000rupees/month for one driver's salary + gas = 60,000 rupees/year = $1333/year x 5 years= $6665): $6665 (includes cost of gas)

Threading Machines and Equipment (for young girls who will be getting free tailoring coaching): $8500

Misc Expenses: $5000
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TOTAL GOAL: $51,732

Immediate Emergency Appeal:

Overall livelihood for eight deaf boys (caretakers of children): $1339/year; 5 years: $6695

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All donations are welcomed.

www.invitationtothetruth.com/donations.html

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