Concept Statement

The Rotary Club of Calcutta Metropolitan (District 3291), in partnership with the Rotary Club of Moorpark (District 5240, USA), is launching a humanitarian initiative to transform the lives of physically challenged individuals in India. Despite the eradication of polio, thousands continue to live with its debilitating effects, while others face lifelong disabilities due to congenital conditions or accidents. These challenges often restrict mobility, dignity, and access to livelihood opportunities.

Through collaboration with Mahavir Seva Sadan (MSS)—a Kolkata-based NGO with over three decades of expertise in corrective surgeries and prosthetics—the project will provide free corrective surgeries, artificial limbs, calipers, prosthetic hands, and modular feet. Each beneficiary will receive a lifetime guarantee of maintenance, ensuring long-term sustainability. MSS, the largest prosthetics provider in Eastern India, will conduct both center-based and outreach camps across the country, supported by qualified surgeons and technicians.

The project aims to reach at least 500 patients and their families, enabling them to walk without crutches, regain mobility, and reintegrate into society with dignity. Beneficiaries will also receive rehabilitation training, improving their prospects for education and employment. By restoring independence, this project addresses critical needs under Rotary’s Area of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment.

With a total budget of USD 50,863, the initiative will be co-funded by District Designated Funds (DDF), club contributions, and a World Fund match. The long-standing partnership between RCCM, Moorpark, and MSS ensures effective implementation, transparency, and impact measurement.

Changing Challenging Lives is more than a humanitarian project—it is an investment in human potential, offering individuals the chance to reclaim their lives and perhaps even pursue dreams as future para-athletes.