Solace-Kochi
TARGET: To reach out to children suffering from various life threatening ailments like cancer, thalassaemia, nephrotic syndrome, hepatitis-B etc with financial and medical aid, rehabilitation and counselling.
ORIGIN: It all began with the single-minded dedication of Sheeba Ameer who herself was the mother of an ailing child. Solace started rolling in 2007 from Thrissur when Sheeba was inconsolably affected by the ill-fate of her only girl child. And, instead of succumbing to it, she summoned enough courage to console others who were in a worse state. And thus, Solace was born. Right from the beginning, all activities of Solace were backed by a dedicated team of trustees and volunteers.
ACTIVITIES: After serving patients in and around Thrissur for over six years a need was felt to open up a branch in Kochi to cater to patients here. Solace began its satellite centre in Kochi in April 2013 with Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and Prof. M.K. Sanoo as its patrons, Ever since, it has been extending support to children in distress in and around the city. The Kochi centre was made possible by a few dedicated associates of Solace. Currently, it provides medical support to around 100 children. A play area meant for the children undergoing treatment is fast nearing completion at the Cooperative Medical College in Kochi.
Apart from providing financial assistance to children undergoing various stages of cancer, Solace also stands by children suffering from other long-term illness and helps them meet the expenses for costly drugs. Other than medical support, Solace also provides psycho-social support to the sick children and their families. This is done mainly through regular home visits. Most parents are tied up with prolonged hospital treatments and cannot go for earning their livelihoods. Such families are provided with provision kits on a monthly basis. Such kits are delivered to as many as 200 families.
As of now, more than 700 families where one or more children suffer from chronic diseases come under the ambit of Solace. Regular home care visits and counselling are also included in their scheme of activities. Many well-wishers from West Asia have provided liberal financial support to Solace as an expression of their solidarity for their exemplary work.
“We organise ‘Sneha Sangamam’, a gathering of children, their parents, relatives, volunteers, and our trustees to open up an avenue for meeting and interacting between patients and their families as well as between the beneficiaries and their supporters”, remarks Sheeba. We also encourage people to form self-support groups in their neighbourhoods as it will help them overcome trauma and will create better awareness and awakening, she adds.
IMPACT: Through its constant and compassionate interventions, several children have been getting solace.
GETTING IN TOUCH: To know more about Solace call 9895021802 (Secretary) or 9447308707 (President). Email them at solaceglobal@gmail.com or visit >www.solace.org.in
