Make-A-Wish India
The mission of Make-A-Wish Foundation International is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® International, India Chapter has been supported by Jewelers for Children since 2002. During that time, JFC has provided $ 1.1 million to fund wish granting in India. To date, more than 10,000 wishes have been granted using the JFC funding.
Working in partnership with Jewelers for Children, Make-A-Wish India was able to establish a foothold for hope and happiness in a country where wishes used to go unanswered. As a result, thousands of children have already seen their often humble, but heartfelt, wishes become reality. Thanks to Jewelers for Children, India’s sick children, their families and medical caregivers, now sometimes dare to dream. They dream of little miracles at first – a new toy, some new clothes, something musical. And, as they see these wishes met, one by one, twenty by twenty, these people begin to dream new things. They dream of days that have no pain, of lives spent at home with loved ones, of full recoveries. This is the real magic of Make-A-Wish.
Visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® India website
“Your talent is god’s gift to you. What you do with it will be your gift to the god.” these were the words that Make-A-Wish® India volunteer Tanya Kullar shared with 13-year-old Ishan during his very musically-minded wish day in Delhi.
Read Some of the Stories
ISHAN WISHES FOR A CELL PHONE
Ishan, wished for a Moto Rzr V3 phone with ‘cool’ ring tones – an object he envied his older brother for possessing. On his Wish Day in New Delhi, Ishan, his mother and brother were transported by car and brought to the studio of a famous Indian choreographer named Anamika. The day began with Anamika dancing to the tunes that Ishan, an accomplished singer, sang to her. Then the two settled down to the ‘serious’ business of learning how to operate such a cutting edge new phone. And Ishan beamed when he learned that his phone was much more advanced than hers! Anamika then brought in her entire troupe to dance, after which she presented Ishan with a CD, poster, calendar and photo. At day’s end, Anamika gave Ishan what he considered the best gift of all: She called him India’s next big singing sensation and asked him for his autograph!
A WINTER FESTIVAL FOR 40 CHILDREN
In Jaipur, 40 children were treated to an afternoon of fun and frolic when Make-A-Wish volunteers transformed their hospital ward into a winter festival. Bright colorful balloons filled every wall and corner, foot-tapping music blasted everywhere, and children played games, colored, had their faces painted and ate and drank merrily. At the end of the celebration, eight wish children also had their wishes granted, receiving much-cherished presents such as bi-cycles, cricket sets, pedal cars and videos.
SAIPADMANALINI MEETS A T. V. STAR
A die-hard fan of television star Priety Zinta’s “Dimples and Dances,” Saipad-manalini wanted to meet her favorite star. Make-A-Wish arranged to have Saipadmanalini transported to the studio to watch a filming. After a warm, private meeting with Priety, the guest of hon our was transported to a front row seat, where she swayed and clapped to the rhythm of each tune. The perfect friend, Priety would come right over to Saipadmanalini so the two could talk after the conclusion of each ‘take.’ After the taping, the two spent a long time chatting, before Preity hugged and kissed her new-found friend goodbye.
CRICKET GAMES AND BIRTHDAY CAKE
In Mumbai, four wish children got to spend the day with visiting Pakistani cricket star, Imran Khan. Talk of cricket was long and loud, until food and games added even more excitement to the party. That party ended when volunteers rolled in a cake and revealed that the children had been attending Mr. Khan’s own birthday party.
A FUN-FILLED DAY WITH TERADATA
The Teradata team at NCR Corp India Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Make-A-Wish India shared The Power Of A Wish® this Diwali on October 19, 2006 when the employees at Teradata sponsored the wish fulfillment of 14 wish children. Wishes ranged from mobile phones to a carrom board, dolls and remote controlled cars. It was a fun-filled afternoon with emotions flowing, especially when the children went on stage and narrated what wish fulfillment meant to them. In addition, the Terradata team organized lunch and refreshments, not only for the children, but also the accompanying parents. Make-A-Wish India thanks Ms. Veena D’Silva and the entire Teradata team for making this event a grand success!