What is the goal?
To raise $100,000 by the end of 2008.
Who will build the hospital?
Jagriti Vihara, a secular, non-profit run by committed individuals with a track of 33 years. Of these, we have worked closely with them for 8. We have been privileged to train others to teach there and to help raise funds to build a laboratory and a library, both of which are fully operational. Jagriti serves over 100,000 people in outlying villages in a region of India which has been severely neglected. Jagriti believes that empowering people to succeed is the only way we can achieve lasting peace and prosperity.
Why a hospital in this region?
First, Jharkhand, a state in eastern India, has been severely neglected. The countryside needs more infrastructure. Malaria had been eradicated in the region in the 1980s but has made a resurgence.
Second, because there is a committed group of individuals on ground with a proven track record that can get it done.
Are not there enough hospitals there? Why not have a consortium of government and industry build them?
The nearest good hospital is in the capital city of Ranchi, a 3-hour drive on a non-rainy day. The lack of infrastructure is endemic in this region because of corruption and mismanagement. The most effective way of getting real change, and protecting it from political squabble, is bypassing established interests and working with committed people on the ground.
Can you tell me more about Jagriti?
To raise $100,000 by the end of 2008.
Who will build the hospital?
Jagriti Vihara, a secular, non-profit run by committed individuals with a track of 33 years. Of these, we have worked closely with them for 8. We have been privileged to train others to teach there and to help raise funds to build a laboratory and a library, both of which are fully operational. Jagriti serves over 100,000 people in outlying villages in a region of India which has been severely neglected. Jagriti believes that empowering people to succeed is the only way we can achieve lasting peace and prosperity.
Why a hospital in this region?
First, Jharkhand, a state in eastern India, has been severely neglected. The countryside needs more infrastructure. Malaria had been eradicated in the region in the 1980s but has made a resurgence.
Second, because there is a committed group of individuals on ground with a proven track record that can get it done.
Are not there enough hospitals there? Why not have a consortium of government and industry build them?
The nearest good hospital is in the capital city of Ranchi, a 3-hour drive on a non-rainy day. The lack of infrastructure is endemic in this region because of corruption and mismanagement. The most effective way of getting real change, and protecting it from political squabble, is bypassing established interests and working with committed people on the ground.
Can you tell me more about Jagriti?
Here is the link to Jagriti's English website.
Jagriti was established in 1975 to focus on reconstructing rural areas by motivating local villagers to play an active role in changing the social order. They believe in sustainable development and see their work as strengthening society. They believe in empowering people by ensuring they have the resources to be successful.
Through their experience operating the clinic, the intense need for a hospital has become apparent. The clinic was not able to reach all rural areas, nor did it have the resources to handle complex medical procedures such as surgery. For this, the local people must spend 1 day's salary to travel by bus to the hospital in Ranchi and hope they can be seen that day. This situation exists because the transportation infrastructure is underdeveloped and phone appointment systems are precarious.
The hospital would also allow larger health initiatives such as malaria awareness campaigns. Malaria is endemic in this area and victims suffer from alternating high fever and chills. Though it can be treated with proper medication, and even prevented with proper education, it is too large of a project to run out of Jagriti's clinic. The hospital will teach classes to reduce risky cultural behaviours and dispense preventative and curative medicine.
Okay, great but is there a concrete plan for the hospital?
Yes. Jagriti has run a clinic for many years and has the credibility and community-connections to run a larger operation.
Jagriti was established in 1975 to focus on reconstructing rural areas by motivating local villagers to play an active role in changing the social order. They believe in sustainable development and see their work as strengthening society. They believe in empowering people by ensuring they have the resources to be successful.
Through their experience operating the clinic, the intense need for a hospital has become apparent. The clinic was not able to reach all rural areas, nor did it have the resources to handle complex medical procedures such as surgery. For this, the local people must spend 1 day's salary to travel by bus to the hospital in Ranchi and hope they can be seen that day. This situation exists because the transportation infrastructure is underdeveloped and phone appointment systems are precarious.
The hospital would also allow larger health initiatives such as malaria awareness campaigns. Malaria is endemic in this area and victims suffer from alternating high fever and chills. Though it can be treated with proper medication, and even prevented with proper education, it is too large of a project to run out of Jagriti's clinic. The hospital will teach classes to reduce risky cultural behaviours and dispense preventative and curative medicine.
Okay, great but is there a concrete plan for the hospital?
Yes. Jagriti has run a clinic for many years and has the credibility and community-connections to run a larger operation.
We have begun discussion with top healthcare management experts and plan to use data collection and analysis to create the best plan possible, drawing from the lessons and examples of the world's best hospitals, focusing particularly on those set up succesfully in developing nations (read about Apollo, India). This is an important point of success for the project and we will focus on it more as fundraising gets going.
How will the hospital become self-sustainable?
Once it is operational it will take ~$20,000 / year to continue running the hospital. That is $55 / day (2,5000 Indian Rupees). Much of that total will be provided by patient fees.
How will donations reach Jagriti?
Jagriti is a registered non-profit in India and other than bank transaction fees, every single cent will reach Jagriti and be deposited in a separate account for use towards the hospital only. Jagriti was registered in 1975 in India and its tax ID (permanent account number) is AATJ-0828K. In the next few months we hope to finalize a partnership with a US-based non-profit which would allow corporate gift-matching in the US and reduced bank fees.
For the meantime, donations make their way from you to Jagriti Vhigara's bank account in India via the PayPal account linked to on this website. Total fees for the entire process are expected to be around 3% of donated funds (currency exchange and credit card processing). No other management fees are deducted (time is volunteered, software and web hosting is freeware).
Will the hospital have a name?
The naming of the hospital must be the initiative of Jagriti Vihara and the local community. One suggestion will be to name either the hospital or one of its buildings after Sameer Bhatia, the founder of Project Dosti at Stanford University. We did not know Sameer as a person but he was an important link in the long chain that has borne this vision. After a valiant struggle against leukemia, his body left us earlier this year but his spirit lives on through the many he touched and through projects like this. For more on Sameer: http://www.helpsameer.org/.
How will Amit summit Mount Whitney?
Amit is driving 7 hours the day before, then starting at 3:00am and not stopping till he finishes. In the realm of human potential he thinks it is a very small challenge but will test him. He has been training steadily, strengthening weaknesses including a bad knee (he has torn the medical collateral ligament three times).
Why are you doing this?
We believe there is much pain in the world but that what is noblest in us human beings can be more powerful. We have all served as school teachers in rural eastern India, where there was no electricity or running water and where malaria, leprosy and polio ran rampant. Despite these challenges, bold and beautiful people found a way to achieve happiness.
How can I help?
We need to spread the word: word of mouth, mailing lists, blogs, youtube, social networks, magazines, newspapers, television, indeed the full power of technology. This is not about the messenger, it is about the message. It is not an idea, but an Ideal. We aim to reach 10,000 people around the globe. Add your own touch to this message and help us meet this goal.
How did you come up with this idea?
This project has been in the works for many years. We have waited for a time when we could realistically achieve it. The project's seed was Project Dosti, a student organization at Stanford that empowers students to "be the change they wish to see in the world" through travel and service.
