Calcutta Mercy Ministries

Kids with Destiny
Wednesday September 15, 2010

Living in a small impoverished village outside the city of Kolkata, 13-year-old Uttam has not attended school in two years. When he did attend, he was only able to attend sporadically and was unable to pass the 5th grade. Uttam's family attempted to get him enrolled back into school twice, and both times, the school denied his readmission. Uttam wants to go back to school. He wants to study to become a doctor some day--but that will never happen without an education.

Project Rhino's vision was birthed with the goal of giving children like Uttam the hope of a second--or even a first--chance. Project Rhino is a dynamic educational platform that brings hope and purpose to the lives of disadvantaged children who will not or cannot regularly attend a formal school setting. Its robust online learning environment offers engaging lesson plans, interactive games, educational entertainment, and one-on-one mentoring support to children in need of a quality primary and secondary school education. Through its accessible program, the children will finally receive the support and opportunities they need for a promising future. Currently, 120 children are hoping to be able to participate in the Kodamtolla learning center.

But Project Rhino can only accomplish these goals with the generous support of people like you. For just a dollar a day, a child like Uttam can receive medical help, nutrition and a quality education with the individual attention he needs to succeed in his studies. The school is also in need of equipment and supplies before it is able to open its doors. $600 dollars is needed for the purchase of a laptop; $160 for a laser jet printer; and $32 for each ink cartridge. Donors are also able to donate as little as $10 towards the purchase of school supply kits, or make a one-time gift towards the Project Rhino general fund.

Education is one of the greatest gifts that we can give a child. For many like Uttam, it is the key to extracting himself from poverty's grip. Please consider joining in Rhino University in its efforts to make a significant impact in these childrens' lives.

Rajanikantho Das
Wednesday September 15, 2010

Rajani Das lives in rural India, in a one-room, dirt floor shack with his father, mother, and 16-year-old sister. Just feet from the entrance reclines the family cow – their only source of income.  Rajani has a genetic blood disorder called thalessemia.  Thalessemia requires chronic blood transfusions and, for worse cases, a splenectomy, which is a procedure that removes the enlarged spleen.  Rajani required such a procedure, but his family had no means to pay for it.

Despite his condition, Rajani determined each day to live his best. He awoke each morning, walked 20 minutes to the closest train station, rode 30 minutes on the train, and ended with a 15-minute bus journey. Rajani was going to school.

In 2010, Calcutta Mercy Hospital learned of Rajani’s condition and, with donations raised through Benny Hinn Ministries, provided Rajani with the splenectomy he so desperately needed. The operation was successful, and Rajani today enjoys newfound health and energy to live his life to the fullest.
For children like Rajani, it is important that Calcutta Mercy Ministries continue to set up medical clinics in India’s rural villages. These clinics continue to identify children that desperately need our support.

Md. Rehan Akhtar
Wednesday September 15, 2010

   

Md. Rehan Akthar is a two-year-old boy who lives with his mother, father, uncle, and grandparents in a one room flat located in east Kolkata, India. Rehan was also born with a hole in his heart.

Little Rehan was born with a large ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) which is a congenital heart defect that enables blood to flow between the left and right atria via the interatrial septum. As Rehan grows older, the hole grows wider. He must undergo an open heart procedure called ASD Closure.

In the first week of September 2009, Md. Rehanʼs family carried him through the front doors of Calcuttaʼs Mercy Hospital. By doing this, they set in motion a series of events that would lead to the right doctor, on the right day, and in the right place that would save his life.  They began tests immediately.  Thanks to the doctors and nurses at Calcuttaʼs Mercy Hospital and to alldonors like you, on Tuesday September 22nd, little Rehan and his family boarded a 32-hour train bound for Manipal Heart Institute in Bangalore, India.

 


After a long and tiresome journey, the family arrives at the hospital on Thursday the 24th to begin the final round of pre-surgery tests.
 

 

Saturday morning, with the skilled hands of an artist, Dr. Prasad Krishnan began the surgery. The estimated time for the procedure was five hours. The other attending doctors, nurses, and staff all knew what was at stake, and all were ready, waiting, and happy to do their jobs.

They opened his chest a little after 10am and made their way down to the heart. They slowly and carefully removed a small piece of the pericardium (the protective sack around the heart) and placed it in sterile solution off to the side for later on.

The medical team then began hooking up the cardiopulmonary bypass machine (the heart-lung machine), which would act like the heart, keeping blood flowing though Rehan's body during the rest of the operation.

Then, just like a patch on a tire, they stitched the small piece of pericardium around the hole. In doing so, by using a piece of his own body, there is an almost zero chance of body rejection.

All-in-all the entire surgery went textbook perfect. The estimated five hours was cut in half, and little Rehan was off and resting comfortably in the I.C.U. in no time. With around-the-clock care staff, Rehan couldn't have been in better hands.

Rehan spent the next week in recovery before the doctors cleared Rehan for travel home. Thanks to Calcuttaʼs Mercy Hospital and its donors, the entire family flew for the first time home to Calcutta and Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital kept Rehan and his mother within their care for a week to make sure there was no infection, and to educate the mother on how to dress and keep the wound clean. The family is now back home together, and Rehan is in wonderful condition. He is playing and laughing like a new, healthy little boy. His parents don't have to worry anymore about letting him run around.

Thanks to all doctors and nurses who cared for Rehan, this precious little life now has a long and bright future ahead of him.

Mariyam was born with a hole in her heart
Tuesday September 14, 2010

After a long 40 days, Sayda Begum finally has a reason to smile.

Sayda's only child, two-year-old Mariyam, came home yesterday after a successful heart surgery that kept Mariyam hospitalized at Calcutta Mercy Hospital for 40 days.

Mariyam was born with a hole in her heart.  Initially, Sayda had no idea that there was anything wrong with her daughter.  But as the days went by, she began to notice things: Mariyam was cold at unusual times, irregardless of the summer heat; she had problems eating and constantly suffered from diarrhea and vomiting; when she would cry, her hands, feet, and lips would turn blue and her body would shake with spasms.  The doctors she went to see continued to give Mariyam cold medications, which had no affect on Mariyam's condition.  Sayda knew something was seriously wrong.

At six months, the family took her to see a specialist, who was able to determine that the problem was with little Mariyam's heart.  Mariyam's family was devastated.  They didn't have the finances to afford the treatment; all they could do was take her to small medical clinics for whatever temporary care the clinics could offer.  But they knew that surgery was necessary to save Mariyam's life.  They felt hopeless, not knowing where to turn.

Finally, the opportunity came for Mariyam to receive surgery - the costs covered by Calcutta Mercy Hospital. The surgery, which lasted from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, was successful in removing blockage from a valve and repairing the hole in her heart. Calcutta Mercy Hospital managed Mariyam's post operative care and now Mariyam's heart is functioning properly, circulating blood throughout her body.

Aside from a scar and a little swelling, Mariyam is recovered and back at home.  She is walking, eating, and finally back to her usual bright and chatty self.

Her family is overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude.  "The people at [Calcutta Mercy Hospital] have given new life to her," they say, with smiles.  "We are indebted to the mission and the hospital for everything they have done."

Today, in her mother's arms, Mariyam lights up the room with her bright, beautiful smile.  Sayada smiles in return.  "Thank you," she says.  "Now, I can finally celebrate."