A locally-based charity that helps the disabled in South India is hosting its annual fundraiser Saturday at the Hart Crown Banquet Hall.
The Samuha Overseas Development Association (SODA) was founded in 1996 and each year has committed to raising $20,000 for their overseas efforts.
The main beneficiaries of the program were children who were affected by polio. Since the disease has been eradicated in India for about a decade, the program now gears itself to all children with any kind of disability and adults who are disabled, as well.
"The funds go to an organization called Samuha in South India in the state of Karnataka," Hilary Crowley, president of the association, said.
It started when Crowley spent a year in Karnataka from 1994-95, which was right at the height of the polio epidemic. As a physiotherapist, she was training people there to help those in need.
"And I've been going back there pretty well every year since for about six weeks at a time," Crowley said, who emphasized she funds her own trips and all the funds raised on Saturday goes to Samuha.
"So I monitor how the money is spent and it goes directly to their disability program. So it's the families there that benefit from it. Every cent goes to the program. It works out to be about 70 per cent going to children and the rest to adults with spinal cord injuries."
The support from Prince George has been so great that it's been possible to fund the early intervention centre for children under six years old as well as the spinal cord injury unit, Crowley added.
"Coming through the doors at the event people will smell wonderful Indian food," Crowley laughed. "So it's really excellent food and I recently published a book about my 25 years of experience in India so Footsteps to Freedom will be available. There will be a silent auction and there will be entertainment - we'll have some Indian dances and then I show my slides of the project and the work we've been doing."
Crowley will be making the trip to India on Nov. 5.
Usually Crowley takes Canadian physio and occupational therapy students with her but this year another physiotherapist will accompany her.
"Hopefully next year we'll start taking students again," she said. "It counts toward their degree - they're allowed to do an international six-week placement during their training. It's mostly community-based work and they learn how to work with no equipment."
Crowley said she's taken about 30 students over the years.
"They've all really appreciated it," she added. "One of them has even gone on to become a pediatrician and most of them are working with children."
Once the UNBC physiotherapist program starts up in September 2020, Crowley hopes to take those students with her on her annual trip as one of their practicums.
"That's my hope," Crowley said.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hart Crown Banquet Hall, 3955 John Hart Highway. Admission is by donation. Tax receipts given for donations, excluding the $25 price of dinner. Cash or cheque only. To reserve seats, send an email to soda.sec@gmail.com.
