Prasad Sida Yoga

8/6/2019 Prasad Sida Yoga

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When young people of any ageo not have access to dental care,

he result can be devastating tooth physical health andelf-esteem. One of the goals ofRASAD Childrens Dental

Health Program (CDHP) haseen to expand our educationalervices to include not onlyre-kindergarten and elementarychool age children, but also the

many teens who do not havewareness of or access to dentalealth information and care.

n 2007, PRASAD receivedunding from the New York State

Office of Children and Family

ervices to help CDHP beginutreach to that age group.

usan Purcell is the dentalygienist who takes the CDHPmiles for Teens message to

middle and high school studentshroughout Sullivan County.usan has been a dental hygienistor more than 28 years and once

was invited to teach dental healtho her daughters elementary

T

hirty years ago this spring, PRASADsShree Muktananda Mobile Hospital(then called Nityananda Mobile

Hospital) welcomed its first patients, in thevillage of Ganeshpuri in Indias Tansa Valley.

According to a plaque on the side of thevehicle, the vice president of India at the time,

the Hon. Shri BD Jatti, presided adedication ceremonies on May 6,1978. The next day, 70 to 80patients were seen and treated, thfirst of many thousands to benefitfrom PRASADs hospital on wheeover the years.

The impetus for the mobile hospiwas to take health care where it isneeded the most: to people in remand inaccessible areas in the Tans

Valley - people who cannot affordthe time or money it takes to visithealth care center. The mobilehospital is fitted with all theequipment and supplies needed f

emergency treatment and minorsurgical procedures. PRASADs trained mediprofessionals therefore can provide both

on-the-spot treatment as well as diagnosepatients with more serious problems and thbring them to PRASAD Chikitsas GurudevSiddha Peeth Anukampaa Health Center foradditional medical care.

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PRASADs Mobile Hospital Celebrates30th Anniversary

PRASAD Addresses HIV Challenge in India

Spring/Summer 2

30 Years of Service for Muktananda Mobile Hospital!

CDHPs SusanPurcell: EducatingTeens aboutDental Healthy Laurie Kehl, CDHP volunteer

Mobile hospital being decorated for 30th anniversary festivities on May 6, 2008

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On May 6, 2008, PRASAD Chikitsa held a

celebration in Ganeshpuri in honor of Shree

Muktananda Mobile Hospitals 30-year

anniversary. To see photos from and read more

about the event, as well as learn more about the

mobile hospital, go to www.prasad.org and click

on the mobile hospital photo on the home page.

From Love, Sight Is Born, page 4

Special Note

I had no reason to wake upanymore, and now I will be able

to see the sunrise again.

usan Purcell


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In March 2008, a teamled by FernandoColomo, renownedSpanish film producerand the spokespersonfor PRASAD Espaa,spent 10 days in theTansa Valley, India,shooting footage ofPRASAD Chikitsaprograms. The filmingcaptured many projectactivities as well asinterviews with staff andsome project leaders.

The footage will be used to produce documentaries on twoPRASAD Chikitsa programs in the Tansa Valley: the Self HelpGroups (SHGs) and the HIV/AIDS programs. Each documentarywill provide an in-depth look at the work being done and the

great success these programs have achieved. The films, which willbe available in both English and Spanish, will be shown indifferent media as well as used for PRASAD presentations. Alsodonors and other licensees will be able to purchase the DVDs.

According to PRASAD Espaa General Manager Xavier Nova, theSelf Help Group documentary should be finished by September,and will be a great tool to support the Self Help Group Programfundraising activities that PRASAD Espaa will be launching thisfall. The aim is to cover all support and administration expensesfor the SHG program in India by having enough people whodonate monthly, says Xavier.

The HIV/AIDS Program documentary will be complete by the endof the year.

To see more photos of the filming, please go to our website atwww.prasad.org and click on News, then scroll down to News

from PRASADs National Licensees and click on News fromPRASAD Espaa.

To support PRASAD Espaas fundraising project to benefitthe Self Help Group Program in India, go to their website atwww.fundacionprasad.org and look for Proyecto de Autoayudde las mujeres en el Valle de Tansa and click on sequir leyend

PRASAD Espaa Producing Films to Support India Programs

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Xavier Nova, PRASAD Espaa general manager, withFernando Colomo, film producer, on location in theTansa Valley

Fernando filming meeting of self help groups (SHG)

Filming in the villages drew crowds of curious children, eager to learn more about the equipment and the process


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continued from pa

school class. Recognizing the need toencourage personal responsibility for onesown dental health, she began developinglesson plans to teach the importance ofbrushing, flossing, and the relationshipbetween diet and oral health.

Susan joined the PRASAD team three yearsago, continuing to reach out to children pre-

kindergarten through 5th grade. Teaching children of elementaryschool age is critical but so is continuity. The natural evolutiontook Susan into middle and then high school classrooms as well.Here, one sees the very real effects of children who have not hadaccess to dental care and education throughout their lives. Thedamage can be excessive resulting in multiple fillings, crowns,and root canals, Susan notes. Even if they did get dental carewhen younger, teens often will start to slack off in their brushingwhich, combined with other factors such as diet, results in theneed for dental treatment.

Conveying the health benefits of regular brushing, flossing andcheck-ups to teens brings different challenges than conveying thatmessage to younger children, so Susan uses creative exercises tomake dramatic points that are engaging and easy to understand.Actual teeth soaked in soda and sugary sports beverages provide apowerful visual example of the biology and chemistry of decay.Lessons include everything from how to read nutritional labels tothe effect that tooth-bleaching products have on young enamelthat has yet to be solidified. Smoking and chewing tobacco canbe habits picked up at an early age, so Susan teaches the harmfuleffects these substances have on the body as a whole and on oralhealth specifically.

Susan then does a follow-up visit to the class with a question andanswer session. Students do remember a lot and are generallyready with questions, she observes. One young man shared that

he had a tooth that was bothering him and after Susans classhe asked his parents about going to the dentist and has sincemade an appointment to have the tooth looked at. Other studcould be embarrassed that they may be a candidate for free dcare, so Susan hands out bookmarks that can be tucked awayinconspicuously, which have information about CDHPs mobdental clinic services.

Since the programs inception last fall, 262 middle and highschool students have received dental health educationinformation and materials from Susan, and 165 students in thsame age group have received dental care through CDHP.

I feel very rewarded that I am able to do this because of the here in Sullivan County. says Susan. The need is critical anddont know of any other program of its kind. I feel Im givinggreat gift that will improve the health of so many people for tentire lives.

Save the Dates!Two Great Events This Fall to Benefit

PRASAD Childrens Dental Health Program

Saturday, September 13, 2008Tarry Brae Golf Course, South Fallsburg, New York

Saturday, September 20, 2008Tai Chi Mountain House, South Fallsburg, New York

Educating Teens about Dental Health

usan Purcell

Fernando filming SHG festivities for Womens Day Filming patients being prepared for cataract surgery

Look for more details in the August 2008 edition ofPRASAD e-News and on our website at www.prasad.org

Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Kookamonga Dance Party


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From Love, Sight Is Born...In March of 2008,Stephanie Jantzen,a photographerfrom France,traveled to Mexico,to volunteer for thePRASAD eye camp

which was held atCoatzacoalcos,

Veracruz. Whilethere, she used herphotography skills

to capture many images that convey the eye camp experience.Stephanie had this to share about volunteering for PRASAD:

Being able to offer service for PRASAD de Mxico was a trueheart-opening experience. The dedication and focus of the team ofvolunteers inspired me deeply. Everyone was giving selflessly,abundantly, and for very long hours. I experienced the joy ofteamwork and generosity, the joy of transformation and gratitude.

During those three days that I volunteered, 170 people regained theirsight. The lives of those people have been transformed. Some now willbe able to work and be independent again; some will be seeing

family and loved ones for the first time. One patient shared with mthat for many years, day and night had been the same to her, I hano reason to wake up anymore, and now I will be able to see thesunrise again.

Del amor nace la vista. From love, sight is born.

We are delighted to share a few of Stephanies wonderful pho

here, as well as some patientvignettes compiled by NataliaRobles Leon, assistant to CarlosSuarez, general director ofPRASAD de Mxico.

To see more photos and readmore about patients whose sighthas been restored at a PRASADde Mxico Eye Camp, please goto our website, www.prasad.org.Click on Programs, then Eye

Care, and scroll down to theMexico section where you willfind story links.

Stephanie Jantzen with Irma, an eye camp patient

Natalia and Carlos

Patricia Perez Campo

Patricia Perez Campo is 38 years oldand is a single parent with a five-year-old daughter. Patricia had congenitalcataracts that limited her vision all herlife; gradually her vision worsened

until she was almost completely blind.Despite her condition she was able towork some as a maid, but recently losther job when her employer moved to

another city. Patricia was hopeful that the surgery would helpher to find work and have a better life for her and her daughter.I hope to see my daughters face and all the colors, she said.

Jose Manuel Quintero

Hernandez

Jose Manuel Quintero Hernandez is

54 years old and began suffering withcataracts five years ago. He used towork as a bus driver, but two yearsago became completely blind and wasunable to drive. He often fell becauseof his inability to see. Victor said,This is the first surgery in my wholelife! Im happy to recover my sight so

I can drive a bus again and be of support to my family.

Dulce Olivia Garcia Corriel

At the age of three, Dulce Olivia Garc

Corriel developed a cataract in one eydue to an accident. Now 12, she is inelementary school, where her classmacall her shining stone eye. because oher cataract. Because she is self-conscabout her eye, she is very shy aboutmeeting people.She is hopingthat she will

do better in school now that her visionis restored. She also hopes to do betterat soccer, which she enjoys playing

with her older brother. I am verythankful to the doctors and nurses;they were so kind to me, said Dulce.

Patricia

Dulce before surgery

Dulce after surgery

Jose expressing his gratitude


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...Images from a Mexico Eye Camp

by Liz Avery

Three years ago students from George School, a Quakersecondary boarding school in Newtown, Pa., started Art forRelief, a student-run night of art to raise money to benefit thevictims of Hurricane Katrina. The fundraiser continued and eachyear Art for Relief benefits a different cause. This year, Prasad deMxico (The PRASAD Projects eye program in Mexico) waschosen as the recipient.

A committee of students - Kelsey Yonce, Don Jones, Geena Ianniand myself - in conjunction with faculty sponsor Rachel Fumiaorganized this years event. We all worked hard throughout theschool year to get ready for the benefit, held in March. Theevening began with a silent auction and art sale held in theGeorge School Meetinghouse. Tables and benches were filledwith various works of art from local artists, teachers andstudents. Also included were gift certificates from local shops,handmade jewelry, pottery and sculptures.

Following the auction and art sale, performances were offered George School students, alumni and guests, and included danclive music and poetry. The performances were followed by aninformative slide show depicting the work of PRASAD de Mxin the eye camps. The audience was especially moved by thebefore and after photos of children who had operations tocorrect strabismus (cross eyes).

By the end of the night almost everything had been sold, raisinthousands of dollars to benefit PRASAD de Mxicos work.Everyone who participated agreed it had been a joyous and

meaningful experience.

Art for Relief Benefits Mexico Eye Camps

Have a PRASAD Fundraiser Idea?

Has Lizs story inspired you with an idea for a PRASADfundraising project or event? If so, please call us at845.434.0376, or read more on our website,www.prasad.org. Just go to the home page and click onHost Small Event under the How You Can Help section.

Eye camp patient receiving diagnostic examEye camp volunteer offers a reassuring hand

Liz Avery (center) with Don Jones and Geena Ianni

Patrons view works of art during silent auction


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Last fall, PRASAD Chikitsas HIV/AIDS program was awarded aone-year grant from the William J. Clinton Foundation to

expand our treatment program for HIV-positive children in theTansa Valley. The grant provides funds to cover treatment andrelated support for children diagnosed with HIV. The funding isadjusted monthly, according to the number of HIV-positivechildren on the caseload (currently 114), and the grant can berenewed annually, based on program performance review.

The Clinton Foundation grant program was begun in responseto the Indian governments 2006 launch of a national programto treat HIV-positive children. The goal is to increase thenumber of HIV-positive children in India who are receivingproper medical follow up and antiretroviral (ART) medication.

Worldwide, only one in 10 children who need treatment aregetting that treatment.In addition to providing medicines for

the children, the grant helps fund psychosocial, nutritional andtravel support, as well as community mobilization (to spreadawareness about the needs of HIV-positive children) andother services.

Along with pediatric treatment, the Foundation is interested inprevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and likes to

support programs that combine prevention of pediatric HIVinfection with treatment and care for both parents andchildren - something PRASADs program has done fromthe start.

Our Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT)project is the only one of its kind in the whole region, saysMarie Elrington, program manager of the RCH (ReproductiveChild Health) and HIV/AIDS programs. We do not just followthe limited government guideline of one dose antiretroviraltherapy at delivery time. Instead, we start the pregnant womanon one, two or three-drug daily therapy (depending on her

stage of HIV), after the first trimester. The woman receivesregular counseling on ART (antiretroviral therapy) adherenceand preparation for delivery and care of the baby

PRASAD also arranges for PCR/DNA blood testing to determinthe HIV status of the baby before it is 18 months old. If thebaby is HIV positive, daily prophylactic medication can begiven to prevent the onset of severe chest infections. Of the 27babies born to the HIV positive women who have receivedantiretroviral therapy from PRASAD Chikitsa during pregnancyonly two babies so far have been born HIV positive, saysMarie. Where the mother has followed up regularly and has

adhered to the antiretroviral regimen, all the babies have beenborn free of the HIV disease.

HIV/AIDS Program Awarded Clinton Foundation Grant

by Anna Formiguera, Barcelona, Spain

Last winter, while in India, I had the opportunity to observe thework of PRASAD Chikitsa. Thefirst thing I noticed was theenthusiasm of the people and thestrength they conveyed when

they talked about the projectsthey were working on at anygiven moment. This enthusiasmand strength is contagious, likethe smile of a child.

As a nurse, I want every personto have access to the knowledge

and resources to be able to live a healthy life, yet I know thatindividual responsibility for ones own well being also isimportant. At PRASAD Chikitsa, I saw firsthand, how the staffand volunteers treat peoples health needs and give them tools

to move forward with greater awareness, capability andmotivation to stay healthy. And always, people are treated withlove, respect and dignity.

My experience in India inspired me to reflect more deeplyabout why I support PRASAD. For me, PRASAD is aboutbelieving in people and valuing themgiving people hope an

faith in difficult situationspromoting peoples creativity andgiving support in this creative processencouraging healtheducation and prevention at all stages of life, so that all canhave a better tomorrow. So much gratitude arises in me when think about all that PRASAD does for others!

As the meaning of the word prasad indicates, the work ofPRASAD is an offering to the world. I am grateful to be able tooffer my support to PRASAD.

An Offering to the World: Reflections on PRASAD

Local children, including HIV infected and affected children, at a PRASADChikitsa-sponsored sports and activities day. The Clinton Foundation grantincludes funds for such psychosocial support activities.(Photo altered to protectchildrens privacy).

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Anna Formiguera


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Editors Note: No words or statistics can adequately capturethe experience of children grieving for dying or dead parents,stigmatized by society through association with HIV/AIDS, andstruggling without services and support systems in impoverishedcommunities. We share with you this story of one child amongthe 114 HIV-infected children PRASAD is treating in theirprogram right now.

Last fall, the PRASAD Chikitsa HIV/AIDS program staff heardof a very sick child who was livingin a beggars house in Ganeshpuri.They found her emaciated, swollen,unkempt and very anemic. Theybrought her to the Family HealthCenter, where they washed and fedher and dressed her in cleanclothes. An x-ray showed that her right lung was half full offluid; she had an advanced stage of TB. They tested her forHIV and she tested HIV positive. Slowly, they were able to get

her story out.

The girl had been living in Mumbai, and both her parents haddied. Her aunt put her on a bus and told her to go to theplace of the hot springs. She had been abandoned some-thing the PRASAD staff has seen several times before, butnever in the case of a 10-year-old child. The staff felt sure theycould help this child medically, but where would she live? She

had no one, no family to take care of her, and PRASAD doesnot have an orphanage or childrens hospital or other suchfacilities where she could go.

One of the first things PRASAD did was to register the casewith the police, so that authorities would know of the girlsabandoned status and whereabouts. The staff then found a safe

house for her to stay in at night, and during the day, shestayed with the staff at the PRASAD Chikitsa Family Health

Center. It was important for the staffto keep a close eye on the girl toensure that the TB medicine wastaken as prescribed. Slowly, shebegan recovering, thanks to goodnutrition and the love and care ofthe FHC staff. She now is at an

orphanage about an hours drive from Ganeshpuri, where thePRASAD staff can visit her to see how she is doing.

Update: Since this story first appeared in the December 2007e-News, the girls condition has improved even further. She hasalmost completed her TB treatment and has gained several pounds.The nuns at the orphanage are ensuring that she receives follow-upcare at the regional ART pediatric center in Sion Hospital, Mumbai.Her emotional state also has improved; she is happy to be living atthe orphanage and to attend school there. Its the first time in herlife that shes had the chance to receive an education.

One Child's Story

PRASADs Mobile Hospital Celebrates 30th Anniversary!

While records are not available for the entire three-decadeperiod, nearly 50,000 patients have been seen by the mobilehospital in the past five years. Currently, the bus makes tripswo days a week, treating an average of 200-300 patients

a month.

The bus has been a godsend for impoverished people in thisregion of the Tansa Valley for 30 years, says Jayram KrushnaPatil, PRASAD Chikitsas paramedic and the coordinator forthe mobile hospital. It has not only benefited those inneed, but also has taught lessons of compassion and humilityto all those who have served at the mobile hospital. It hasbeen a true expression of generosity for both those whoreceive and those who give.

continued from page 1

Are You a PRASAD

Partner Yet?If not, we invite you to joinThe PRASAD Project and receivea beautiful shawl, donated by

Love Quotes as our thank youfor your commitment! Minimum

$25 monthly donation. For moredetails, go to our website,www.prasad.org, or call us at

845.434.0376.

Photo (taken during PRASAD Espaa filming) of mobile hospital health screening

at a brick factory camp

She had been abandoned somethingthe PRASAD staff has seen severaltimes before, but never in the case ofa 10-year-old child.


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Sign Up for PRASADs Email NewslettersSend us your name, email address, phone number and mailing

address for our e-news.

By e-mail: [email protected]

By fax: +1 845.434.0377

By phone: +1 845.434.0376

THE PRASAD PROJECT465 Brickman Road

Hurleyville, NY 12747-5314USAel: 845.434.0376ax: 845.434.0377-mail: [email protected]

www.prasad.org

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Newburgh, New York

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2008 PRASAD Project All rights reservedSwami) MUKTANANDA, (Swami) CHIDVILASANANDA, GURUMAYI, SIDDHA YOGA, and

DDHA MEDITATION are registered trademarks of SYDA Foundation.

Special Credits

Our thanks to George Fitch and Mary Newman for contributing their design andphotography expertise to the creation of this newsletter. Our thanks also to thefollowing people for providing photos: Stephanie Avery, Miriam Axelrod, Claudia deAlba, Marie Elrington, Cecilia Escarra, Anna Formiguera, Stephanie Jantzen, Xavier

Nova and Col. Rohit Tewari.

Donate online at www.prasad.org

About The PRASAD ProjectThe PRASAD Project is an international not-for-profit organization

committed to improving the quality of life of economicallydisadvantaged people around the world. PRASADs intention is tohelp people become self-reliant and live a life of dignity.

The PRASAD Project was initiated in 1992 by GurumayiChidvilasananda, the spiritual head of the Siddha Yoga path.PRASAD is a philanthropic expression of the SYDA Foundationhe central organization for the Siddha Yoga path. PRASADs

humanitarian work is based on the core values of Siddha Yoga:elfless service, enduring commitment, and respect for all people,egardless of their race or belief

The PRASAD Project is the umbrella organization for a networ

of national licensees that operate health, education, disaster reand community development programs in India, Mexico and United States of America.

The PRASAD Projects global offices are located in upstate NewYork; national licensee locations include Australia, France, IndItaly, Mexico and Spain.

For more information on PRASAD and its many programs forchildren and communities in need, see our website atwww.prasad.org

News on Our WebsiteVisit our website www.prasad.org for updated

information on our programs and events.

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