Bhopal Ki Nari Hain, Phool Nahi
Hain
Cover Photo: Rohit Jain
Bhopal Ki Nari Hain, Phool Nahi
Hain
Photo: Giles Clarke
THE TRAGEDY On the night of December 2nd, 1984, a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India, began leaking 27 tons of the deadly gas (methyl isocyanate). None of the six safety systems designed to contain such a leak were operational, allowing the gas to spread throughout the city of Bhopal. Half a million people were exposed to the gas and 25,000 have died till date as a result of the exposure. More than 150,000 people still suffer from ailments caused by the accident and the subsequent pollution at the plant site.
Photo: Raghu Rai
“Those who escaped with their lives are the unlucky ones; the lucky ones are those who died on that night.� Rashida Bee, a survivor. 03
Photo: Giles Clarke
WHAT FOLLOWED In their struggle to safeguard their livelihoods, some of the workers realised early on that the Bhopal gas tragedy had not only compromised their ability to earn a decent living but had also robbed them of their health and well-being. Neither the government nor Union Carbide took responsibility for ensuring that the gas victims were provided adequate employment, or that their ailments would be cured, or that land and water polluted by the chemical wastes from the factory would be rid of their poisons. The workers took their struggle against the company to all corners of the country and beyond its shores to the world.
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Photo: Ryan Ashcroft
Photo: Colin Toogood
A CONTINUING DISASTER Children born to victims of the gas disaster still continue to pay for the negligence of Union Carbide/Dow Chemicals. They are often born with congenital disabilities like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, hearing impairedness, down syndrome etc The contamination of ground water sources by chemicals leaking from the abandoned factory has only exacerbated the problem
Photo: Colin Toogood
These children have special needs, in terms of long-term medical care and rehabilitation within their communities. However, nothing was being done for them or their families
CHINGARI A spark ared amidst tragedy
Two of the gas tragedy survivors, Champa Devi Shukla and Rashida Bee started working for the rehabilitation of congenitally disabled children born in the families affected by Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the subsequent water contamination. Their work was honoured with the 2004 Goldman Prize. Despite the fact that both gasaffected women were sole bread earners of their families and face severe health problems, they chose to donate the entire prize money ($125,000) for the well-being of the gas victims. Chingari Trust was thus born in 2005. Chingari, an all-women's trust, represents the spirit of resilience of the Bhopal survivors, notably the women who have refused to cow down and accept defeat. 'Chingari' is, indeed, the 'flame' to ignite and inspire the world to fight against the irresponsible behaviour and criminal acts of the corporate sector. 09
Photo: Alessandro Marongiu
OUR WORK Chingari Trust is working for the rehabilitation of congenitally disabled children born to families affected by Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the subsequent water contamination that continues to affect the local population.
The Chingari Trust has taken upon itself the responsibility of providing medical relief
and
rehabilitating the children of gas victims born with physical
and mental disabilities and deformities
resulting from the genetic impacts of the poisonous gases released from the Carbide factory and the water and soil contaminated by its effluents.
Photo: Pascal Mannaerts
CHINGARI REHABILITATION CENTRE The Centre caters to hundreds of children who receive Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education and other facilities, free of cost. Additionally, we also have a team of community health workers funded under this programme, who are working to raise awareness about disability, doing the follow up of the children registered with trust and assist them in availing government facilities meant for special children.
Facilities Provided to the children Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Special Education
Speech Therapy
Mid-Day Meal
Pick and Drop facility
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PHYSIOTHERAPY Disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, delayed milestones, muscular dystrophy etc are common even among the third or fourth generation of Bhopal Gas Survivors. We provide freeof-cost physiotherapy to such children who face issues like balancing and coordination, and inability to sit stand or walk.
We have six physiotherapist providing physiotherapy to about two hundred children daily. About 45 children have started walking About forty children who were initially not even able to sit on their own are now able to stand without support and walk with assistance Neck holding achieved in seventy children
SPEECH THERAPY Our Speech therapy helps children who suffer from issues like poor or no speech, attention issues, poor eye contact, Chewing problem, Drooling issues, limited tongue flexibility, poor comprehension etc. At present we have 6 Speech Therapists looking after 210 children Drooling has been cured in 76 children 86 children have started paying attention and maintaining eye contact. 47 children have started talking in phrase 34 children can now talk in sentences About 30 children can now tell small stories Photo: Pascal Mannaerts
SPECIAL EDUCATION Special Education helps in the Social, Personal, Academic, Recreational & Occupational Development of Children with special needs.
At present we have 3 Special Educators and 1 Assistant providing Spl Ed to about 240 children. 40 children can now write alphabets in Hindi and English, numbers, their own names 25 children can now add and subtract, write the names of their family members. 15 severely disabled children have started doing simpler activities like working with blocks. 46 children have started going to normal school. 17
Photo: www.facebook.com/AssistBhopal/
occupational
AWARENESS+
Occupational therapy helps children with Sensory Integration Disorders, Autism, etc. Such children suffer from issues like being self centered, having poor attention span, inability to follow commands, poor communication and social skills
We raise awareness about disabilites in the gas and water affected areas. We educate people about pregnancy precautions and early identification of disabilities,
At present about 40 children are receiving this therapy our centre. Among them behavioral issues has reduced in 23 children. 19 children have started doing few of their daily chores.
We also assist children in getting railway passes, Govt. Pension, Disability Certificate, bank account, etc. Pick and drop facility is provided to children. Children are given a nutritious , wholesome meal We also provide medicines to the children with Neural issues.
7 children are going to regular school. 19
Journey of strength
Krishna Bansal (five years & five months old) suffers from Developmental Delay. His father abandoned the family when Krishna's mother was eight months pregnant. He lives with his grandmother, who, despite suffering from cancer, cares for him and takes him regularly to the Chingari Rehabilitation Centre. Initially, it was a challenge for Krishna to even sit in the squatting position, but after receiving the physiotherapy sessions, he has made great improvements. This is particularly beneficial for him while using the toilet. He also had balancing issues and used to fall down while running or walking, but now his balancing has improved and he is able to run and walk properly. Krishna has also become a more cheerful person as his grandmother observes. His socialization skills have improved after attending the special education classes. Earlier, he would cry a lot, throw things and spit in the class, but now he is very well behaved and is in control of his actions to an extent. He also enjoys other children's company.
Photo: Pascal Mannaerts
Lets Fight Toxic Terror, Together!
Till today, 1004 congenitally disabled children born in the families affected by Bhopal Gas Tragedy and subsequent water contamination, have been registered with Chingari Trust. However, due to insufficient resources, we are only able to support 300 children who receive Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education, Mid-Day Meal, Pick and Drop facility at our Rehabilitation Centre, free of cost. Like you would know, treating birth defects and handicaps is an expensive affair and such children need to be given special medical facilities on a continuous basis.
With Rs.
1000 every month
you can provide quality healthcare to congenitally disabled children born in the families affected by the horrific Bhopal Gas Tragedy and subsequent water contamination in the area.
Chingari is a non-profit, non-political registered charitable organisation that utilises all the resources it generates for the welfare of the people affected by the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the subsequent water contamination. It is registered as Chingari Trust (Registration No. 1874/05 New Delhi / PAN AAATC7309L). Donations to Chingari Trust are exempt from 50% tax under 80G of the Income Tax Act. ASAR/FAIRTALES has been appointed by Chingari Trust to provide resource raising services. This allows Chingari Trust to have wider access and personalised representation at a lower cost among donors.
PRIVACY STATEMENT Chingari Trust is committed to protecting the privacy of our donors. We do not sell, rent, loan, trade or lease our donor data to anyone. The information received is kept confidential and is only disclosed to such third parties as may be necessary to process the donation.
Satguru Complex, Near DIG Bunglow Square, Berasia Road,Bhopal - 462001 Email: chingaritrust@gmail.com | website: www.chingaritrustbhopal.com Phone: +91-755-2747500, 2730600