In 1996, social entrepreneur Jeroo Billimoria created the Childline India Foundation, a non-government organization inspired by her work with India’s street children. The service, which has its head office in Mumbai as well as regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, is meanwhile available all over India. Children can even call Childline toll-free from any public phone in the country.
The organization’s website explains: “CHILDLINE 1098 is a phone number that spells hope for millions of children across India. It is a 24-hour a day, 365 days a year, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance.
We not only respond to the emergency needs of children but also link them to relevant services for their long-term care and rehabilitation. We have, till date, connected to three million children across the nation offering them care and protection.”
When we lived in India I saw children living in the streets. Sometimes in bushes, dirty, hungry and alone. It was such a sad picture that I will never be able to forget it.
Some of them were younger than six. I don’t want to imagine what happens to these little souls in the dark or when no one is watching.
India has a very high rate of child sexual abuse. It often hap-pens within the family or among friends or neighbors. The people children trust the most are often the hidden monsters.
Therefore it is a relief for the children that they have someone to talk to. The promise “your call will never be unanswered” gives hope to those in need.
Let’s save the souls of our children and make the world a better place.
I had never heard about the progressive neuromuscular disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia – until the end of 2019.
Our very good friends Tina and Christoph informed us just before Christmas 2019 that their daughter Toni had been diagnosed with this very rare disease.
FA is an autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs and impaired speech that worsens over time. Symptoms can start between 5 and 15 years of age. Toni is only 5 years old, and she has already developed severe symptoms of the disease.
No effective treatment exists, but there are several therapies in trials. FA shortens life expectancy due to heart disease. Consequently, as I am personally involved and see my very good friends hoping to get a cure for their beautiful daughter Toni, I would love to support them with the project “Tiny Tiger Toni”.
With the money donated to the “Tiny Tiger Toni” project we want to raise awareness for this rare condition and support the search for a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia.
Stay strong little Toni, never give up fighting, you are our little tiger.