United Way of Bengaluru embarks on new programs

United Way of Bengaluru (UWB), a United Way chapter recently launched in Bangalore, is striving to work with volunteers to raise community standards in and around Bangalore. It is organizing a Walkathon on Saturday 7th March to raise funds to conduct 1,000 cataract operations free of cost for weaker sections of society in rural areas surrounding Bangalore. This initiative of UWB would be implemented through the Sankara Eye Hospital. Volunteers from at least 50 companies in Bangalore are expected to participate in the Walkathon.

Vivek Nagarkatti, Chairman, UWB says, “I am pleased to share with you the various United Way of Bengaluru Programs that we have launched and enhanced. Our vision is to be a leader in intelligent and accountable philanthropy, and to make a difference in our community. The international network of United Ways – the biggest philanthropic organization of its kind – raises approximately USD 5 billion per annum. The decisions and actions of UWB are local.”

Says Ashwini Kumar, Executive Director of UWB, “As a volunteer-led non-profit organization, we are excited and encouraged by the support that we are getting from volunteers and corporations. This will help us create long term solutions to local human needs.”

UWB’s first CSR initiative in India was an environment betterment project with Qwest Telecom Software Services Pvt. Ltd. The project brought together well known environmentalists and think-tanks to motivate Qwest employees to plant, protect, and nurture over 150 trees in their office neighborhood. This approach resulted in extraordinary employee participation.

UWB has committed to raise funds to part-finance open-heart surgery for 100 under-privileged children from Govt. schools, at the Manipal Hospital. For the children and their families, there would be no charge for the procedure.

In partnership with social technology firm Mapunity, UWB has implemented a Vaccination Alert system at the Manipal Hospital. Here, at no cost, advance vaccination alerts are automatically sent over mobile telephones or internet to Mothers of newborn babies till the vaccination cycle is completed. More hospitals will be added on during the year. Before the end of 2009, it is expected that 2,000 new born babies would already be covered through this system.

UWB has initiated efforts to raise funds to part finance free operations through Sparsh Hospital on children with Club Foot, whose families would otherwise not be able to afford it. UWB believes that no child in Karnataka should have to compromise with the quality of life, simply due to a lack of funds to perform a relatively simple operation.

UWB is developing Programs to raise community standards through voluntary participation in the verticals of Education, Environment, Healthcare, and Livelihood Development. Within these verticals, it would continue to build a bank of Programs to be supported. Due diligence, global best practices, and processes would be applied, in an efficient and transparent fashion.

- End -

About United Way chapters in India & United Way of Bengaluru (UWB)

The oldest United Way chapter in India was established in Baroda in 1986, followed by Mumbai in 2002. Three new chapters were added in 2008, in Bangalore, Delhi, and Hubli-Dharwad. United Way of Bengaluru was set up on 15th July 2008. It has a diverse and distinguished Board, consisting of Vivek Nagarkatti (Chairman), President and Managing Director of HP Global e-Business Operations Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Tansen Chaudhari (Vice Chairman), India Contact of GE Foundation and General Manager at GE Consumer and Industrial, Balachandran Warrier (Treasurer), CEO of Manipal Foundation, Suneeth Katarki (Secretary), Founding Partner of Indus G&D Law, Charu Sharma, Sports Commentator, Jessy Jacob, Founding Director of JJA Architects Pvt Ltd, Nilanjan Bhattacharya, Head Corporate Coverage Group, Global Markets - South India for Deutsche Bank, Nishith Acharya, Executive Director of The Deshpande Foundation, Sabu Thomas, Director – HR at Qwest Telecom Software Services Pvt. Ltd., Suresh Shanmugham, MD of SVB India Advisors Pvt Ltd. and Suzanne Singh, Trustee and Member of the Board of Akshara Foundation. The set-up costs of United Way of Bengaluru have been seed funded by The Deshpande Foundation.

About United Way

United Way is a global network of locally governed not-for-profit member organizations in 47 countries and territories whose members work to create long-term solutions to local human needs. These members convene community leaders who identify and prioritise local needs, generate and distribute resources for mission-centered work, help improve the effectiveness of the non profit sector, and enhance service delivery. This work happens primarily at the local level, where community needs and opportunities are best understood by local volunteer leaders. Through its commitment to and demonstration of effectiveness, transparency and accountability, United Ways are able to raise US $5 billion dollars worldwide which are applied to create greater local community impact.