Dishaa

where dreams come true

Dishaa Updates

2011

  1. Suresh and Siddharth celebrated Diwali at Nesam on October 23th 2011. New clothes and sweets were distributed to all the students and teachers at the school.

  2. Suresh and Srivatsa celebrated Diwali at Sri Arunodayam on October 24th 2011. They enjoyed fireworks with the kids at the school. WE also visited the new building that was constructed with funds from a non profit organization in Spain.

  3. Suresh, Srivatsa and Uma celebrated Diwali at Gnanadeepam on October 25th 2011. New clothes and sweets were distributed to all the students and teachers. In addition a gift of Rs.3000 each was given to all the teachers in the school for Diwali.

  4. Suresh, Srivatsa and Dishaa Co-ordinator Mr.Sundaram visited PV Selvaraj Girls and high school and Annai Arts College, Kimbakonam on OCt 28th 2011. We spoke with each of the 17 sponsored students at PVS individually. All their performances during the quarterly exams were reviewed and goals have been set for them to achieve  in their half yearly exams. Suresh plans to visit the school again in early January to measure the progress.

  5. Suresh and Srivatsa also had a two hour talk session with the 10 undergrad students at Annai Arts. All these students are in their final year. We plan to sponsor the top 4 students for their post graduation and we hope that will be a motivating factor for all of them. We are proud and happy to say that one of our sponsored students is the college topper with more than 98% marks in all her subjects.

2010 

  1. Suresh and Dishaa Voluteer Srivatsa Srinivasan visited India in the first week of June. They made a whirlwind tour to some of our projects. On June 7th they met the 10th Standard students sponsored by Dishaa for academic year 2009-10. Along with the Principal Mr. Sivanandan of Thiru Vi ka High School, an indivudual interview process was conducted with each student and their parent(s) to understand issues that they have, their career aspirations etc. The students were also selected on the spot for their 11th and 12th sponsorships. Please click on the following link for photos from the trip.

  2. Suresh and Srivatsa visited Gnanadeepam and Sri Arunodayam on June 8th. It was Srivatsa's first visit to these schools and it was a remarkable experience for him. The state of these mentally challenged destitute children at SriArunodayam drew tears and our hats off to Mr.Iyyappan and his sister for managing SriArunodayam so well.

  3. Starting in June 2010, we will start supporting Gifted Rehabilitation Center in Tirunelveli. This is a school for special children. Around 30+ kids attend the school today. Our Chennai coordinator Mr.Sundaram, visited the school last month to initiate the project. Please click the following link for pictures from the visit. We will be providing financial support to hire special education teachers and also purchase computers and other tools needed for physical, occupational and speech therapy.

  4.  Sri Arunodayam celebrated their Sports Day in a grand manner. Please visit the following link for pictures from the event.  

2009 

  1. Starting this year, Dishaa Charitable Trust is sponsoring 11 students to undergo 3 year undergraduate degree programs. One of Dishaa's volunteers - Srivatsa Srinivasan made a visit to Annai College of Arts & Sciences in the last week of August and met with the students sponsored by Dishaa.  Please click on this link for the list of students sponsored by Dishaa. Our coordinator in Chennai, Mr.Sundaram Krishnamurthy is responsible for selecting deserving students and coordinating Dishaa sponsorship activities. Please visit the Annai College page for further information. Please click on this link for photos from the visit.

  2. Dishaa is sponsoring 92 students through Gnyan Prabodh for academic year 2009-10. Please click on this link for the list of students sponsored by Dishaa.  Please visit Gnyan Prabodh page for further information.

  3. We have provided funds to Nesam for whitewashing the school. The school is currently closed for summer vacation.

  4. We provided breakfast and lunch to the children at Arunodayam during the Tamil New Year (April 2009).

2008 

  1. Diwali was celebrated by Dishaa at Nesam in Vellore on Oct 23rd with all the students and teachers. We distributed new dresses and sweets to all the 40+ students. Gifts were distributed to all the teachers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr.Srinivasan - Founder of Nesam and all the teachers at the school for organizing the event.

  2. Diwali was celebrated by Dishaa at Gnanadeepam on Oct 25th with all the students and teachers. We distributed new dresses to the 45+ students. Sweets and savories were also given. Teachers were gifted with bedspreads. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs.Uma Dhandapani - Founder of Gnanadeepam and the entire faculty for organizing the event.

  3. We also met the 80+ students that we sponsored for academic year 2008-09. This event was organized by members of Gnyan Prabodh and took place at Thiru Vi Ka High School in Shenoy Nagar, Chennai. All the parents also participated and we had some positive exchanges with them. Some parents were asked to speak on the occasion and thanked Dishaa and Gnyan Prabodh for making it possible for their kids to attend school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of Gnyan Prabodh and the principals of Thiru Vi Ka High School and Aalpha Matriculation for all their efforts.

  4. Please take a look at the photos from the three events. They are located at the following location.

  5. During our visit to Bahrain we had the opportunity to give a presentation on Dishaa to a group of 25-30 friends. With the help of my sister and brother-in-law who live in Bahrain, we have been able to raise more than $2000 in donations this year from friends and well-wishers in Bahrain.

  6. Suresh was one of the nominees for the "Chain of Hope" award at his workplace

  7. DCT team visited Nesam for Tamil New year and distributed sweets

  8. Dishaa received permanent 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from IRS

  9. Suresh along with 50 other friends volunteered at the Washington DC Central kitchen to prepare meals for homeless people

  10. Dishaa put a display stall during a music concert in the Baltimore North Indian temple

  11. Dishaa was honored at the Gnanadeepam Annual day function for its continued commitment to the organization

2007 

  1. Dishaa completed five years as of December 31, 2007

  2. DCT celebrated Diwali at Gnanadeepam. Sweets, fireworks and new clothes were distributed to teachers and studennts

  3. DCT visited Arunodayam and distributed sweets to students

  4. Dishaa was one of the several sponsors at the tamil music concert organized by Open (www.openindia.org) in Washington DC

2006

  1. Suresh received the "Chain of Hope - Award of Distinction" from his employer for his outstanding commitment to community service. The award included a plaque and $2500 cash.

  2. Dishaa Charitable Trust (DCT) was registered as a non profit organization in India

  3. Suresh visited Nesam and Gnanadeepam and met with all the students and teachers

  4. Suresh met with Gnyan Prabodh trust members and had conversation regarding future partnerships

  5. Suresh met all the 70+ students and their parents who were sponsored by Dishaa for Academic year 2006-07

  6. Dishaa started sponsoring mid-day meal scheme at Nesam

2005

  1. Dishaa started receiving donations from Bahrain

2004

  1. Dishaa started student sponsorships in partnership with Gnyan Prabodh


2003

  1. Dishaa incorporated as a non-profit organization in Maryland, U.S.A

  2. Dishaa first visit to Gnanadeepam

  3. Dishaa met with few members of Gnyan Prabodh Trust 

  4. Dishaa was granted Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exemption