Dear Friends,
Namaste! As we reflect on another extraordinary year, we are filled with immense gratitude and pride for everything we’ve accomplished together in 2024. The year was transformative for us with the launch of Project HITARTH and the many lives we could touch (known and unknown) and new milestones we reached.
These successes are made possible by the unwavering support of our volunteers, donors, and partners that comes from a place of human empathy and compassion for human life as well as the remarkable resilience of the individuals and communities we serve.
Project HITARTH, an initiative aimed at supporting “Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities”. By providing resources and support to families with the help of social workers or, “HITARTH Sahayak”, VOSAP aims to help thousands of people to avail Healthcare services provisioned in the “Niramaya” Scheme of Government of India, thus improving their quality of life with services like OT/PT/Dental care and rehabilitation services etc.
VOSAP collaborated with Purple Fest Goa 2024 as the official International Partner. This landmark alliance and MoU that we signed with the Government of Goa, represents a significant stride towards global inclusivity and empowerment for individuals with disabilities. The vibrant, weeklong event helped raise awareness and promote empowerment with Assistive Devices, importance of inclusion in society, creating lasting connections and inspiring conversations with the stakeholders about how to achieve inclusion for all.
We continue to proliferate our ambitious vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047 with Indian Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers, with our aim to become the catalyst for a $1 trillion economic contribution from the disability sector to the GDP of India by the 100th year of India’s independence. This unique vision guides every activity we undertake as we work and network to create a more accessible and inclusive world for all.
Our first in person Annual event and Fundraiser in Los Angeles, was historic as $1 Million was raised (with 500K from Chief Patron Shri Manu bhai and Rika ben Shah) for the first time in the event reinforcing the great commitment of our incredible donors and supporters. We are also grateful for the encouragement and honor VOSAP received from the City of Artesia and hope that our partnership plays a key role in furthering our mission and expanding the impact of our efforts to empower individuals with disabilities like the global Paralympians competing in the LA2028 Paralympic games. The VOSAP volunteer team in Dallas, inspired by the great fundraising success of the LA event organized the very successful “First Fundraiser for VOSAP” in Dallas, inspiring more than 160 individuals and many prominent community leaders, business leaders and social influencers to join the VOSAP mission.
Our IGNITE Program continues to kindle the spark of volunteering in High School students with 72 students joining the 2024-25 batch. These young minds are the future leaders of our movement, gaining knowledge, skills, and confidence to become change-makers in their communities. Knowing the stellar paths many of their predecessors have taken, reinforces our belief in the immense potential they all hold when given the right opportunities and the indelible mark that VOSAP volunteering leaves on their minds and in their hearts.
Every day, the real-life impact of our initiatives motivates us to keep pushing forward with even greater determination. Together, we are on the path to achieving our ambitious goal of 1 million beneficiaries by 2047. Thank you for being a valuable part of VOSAP’s journey. With your fellowship, we are building a more inclusive, accessible, and compassionate world for all.
ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत्।
Usha and Pranav Desai
