Kannada Sangha of Sacramento, California

KSS Charity of the year-2009

It is our pleasure to announce that KSS selected Sri Vivekananda Kushtha Seva Samithi, Bijapur, Karnataka as charity of the year-2009. KSS is continuing the tradition of helping the needy charity in Karnataka for the second year. Thanks to all people who contributed last year.

History:

Hansen's disease, popularly known as leprosy, is one of the oldest diseases, dating back to the ancient civilizations. The stigma and superstitious beliefs associated with the disease lead to discrimination of the affected patients and many of them resort to begging for survival. But what about their children? They are shunned by society as well as family members. Even if they are sent to school, they drop out due to discrimination in schools. Under such circumstances, there is every possibility that these children will become anti-social elements.

With the noble cause of transforming these children into good citizens in mind, Sri Venkatesh Gurunayak started Shri Datta Bala Sevashram in the year 1985 at Devalganagapur village of Afzalpur taluk in Gulbarga district under the banner of Vivekananda Kusta Seva samithi.

According to Gurunayak, the initial period was marked with innumerable challenges as leprosy patients and their family members hesitated to send their children to ashram out of fear that they might lose their children due to some reason. After several initial hiccups, the ashram began in a rented house with just eight children. These children were provided with free medical care, good nutrition, education, and lessons in yoga and meditation. Gradually, the ashram gained popularity and donations also started pouring in. Today the ashram has its own building situated in two acres of land with all facilities that the middle class children enjoy. Now there are over 70 students in the ashram studying in different classes, right from 1st standard to bachelor degree.

Projects:

Vivekananda Kushtha Seva Samithi (VKSS) operates from Bijapur and runs following organizations under its banner.
1. Sri Datta Bala Sevashrama in Devalganagapur - supports children of Leprosy patients
2. Nanda Gokula Shishu Gruha, Gulbarga - Children from poor families are given shelter and other facilities in Gulbarga
3. Nisarga - Shelter for child laborers rescued by Govt. and other organizations. Provided shelter, food and vocational training for one year or until the other arrangements made.
4. Sandhya Deepa - This is the new project to bring all abandoned women or men from streets and given accommodation and food.

Recognition:

Social activist and founder of Vivekananda Kushtha Seva Samiti, Venkatesh Gurunayak, was honoured by Nutan Vidyalaya Education Society, Khadi and Gramodyog Sangh and Swami Ramananda Theertha Research Institute.
Karnataka Govt. honored him in Year 2000 for his services to the poor.
Recognizing the services of Venkatesh Gurunayak, managing trustee of the Vivekananda Kusta Seva Sangha, in rehabilitating children of leprosy-afflicted patients in the region, Uttaranchal-based Divya Prema Seva Mission felicitated him on October 8. 2006
Venkatesh Gurunayak of Gulbarga has been selected for the prestigious National Award for Child Welfare for the year 2008. The award given by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a certificate.

Photos

Sri Venkatesh Gurunayak

Nanda Gokula

National Award for Child Welfare

for the year 2007

Ground work from KSS:

KSS short listed many needy organizations in Karnataka who are serving the destitute children, women and downtrodden. Vivekananda Kusta Seva Samithi is selected as our charity of the year. KSS contacted the founder 'Venkatesh Gurunayak' and discussed the situation and found the need for financial help. One of the committee members personally visited the campus and gave us the first hand report.
How you can help:

KSS started collecting fund/donation for VKSS from it's members and others, which will be sent at the end of this year. You can either mail a check to the address given below or donate cash. Checks should be payable to KSS with a memo "KSS Charity-2009". If you like to give cash you can put the cash in the donation box located near the front desk in every KSS events.

The donation is tax deductable as KSS is a 501(c) non-profit organization.

If you have further questions please contact Venu Acharya (venugopal_acharya@yahoo.com) 916-719-6527, Hari shetty (hshetty2003@yahoo.com ), Satheesh Nagaraj (kss.satheesh@gmail.com ), Pandu Itagi (pitagi@yahoo.com), Dilip Nayak (d_nayak@yahoo.com), or any other committee member.

Online donation using Credit card:

You can use the following link to make donation to KSS charity of the year-2009.
A small percetage of your donation is deducted by the mediator company as processing fees. This website is safe and secure.

http://www.firstgiving.com/kannadasanghaofsacramento

Always visit http://www.sackannadasangha.org/Charities. htm for more photos and for the latest info on the charity.