LIONS CLUB
J. B. NAGAR

“Signature Projects” are projects by which we are recognized in our district and entire Lions fraternity. These projects have wide spread patronage involving lot of members and well-wishers, they are conducted year after year, These projects are supported by funding from “corpuses” so that continuity of these projects is ensured.

The first such corpus is “Anajdan Corpus”. This was started during the Presidentship of Lion Bhaskar Desai. Lion Lalchand Gandhi was the main contributor for this. He started the corpus in memory of his mother Late Mrs. Raiben Nathalal Gandhi. Interest received is used in providing Anaj Dan (Food) to the needy.

BALWADI:

Lion Jayant Jariwala is the practically a “one man army” on nurturing Balwadi. He worked hard to get necessary permissions from the Municipality for this and got the Balwadi started in the compound of Nityanand Municipal School in Andheri. A corpus for this was again started during the tenure of Lion Bhaskar Desai in 1991.

Share and Care Foundation, USA has actively supported this project.

Number of Presidents have carried out projects to improve the Balwadi.

Today, we have about 30 children in our Balwadi. Children learn their “basics” in Marathi medium at Balwadi. Due to this strong foundation the children get admissions in very good schools without any donations. We maintain contact with ex-students of Balwadi. Balwadi has 2 teachers and 1 sevika (helper). We have four rooms in the Balwadi. Monthly expenses are about Rs. 3500/- to 4000/-.

We are considering introducing education in “English” medium in future.

“ SELF RELIANCE ”

An Innovative project, Self Reliance, was started during the presidentship of Lion Shubhada Bapat. This project was conceived by Lion Tarun Desai.

Under this project, interest free loan is provided to needy person to enable him / her to improve his / her capability to earn his livelihood. Examples of needs which can be met are bicycle for paper delivery, tools for cobbler / carpenter, etc. We expect the beneficiary to return the money once his earning capacity is improved. We have received a substantial part of money back. We have already supported about 20 beneficiaries under this scheme, each for amount between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000.

MEDICAL CORPUS :

This has been formed by major contribution from Lion Bharat Parikh. This was started during his presidentship. We get a large number of requests for medical support every year. The interest from this corpus helps us in responding to some of these appeals.