Newsletter Highlights
Advocacy:
- VOSAP selected 8th time to present at UN during 4 days conference
- July 4: Independence Day of the US, celebrated at Sugarland, TX
- VOSAP Founder Pranav Desai Interviewed on India’s national TV
- 3 charity screenings of ‘Anokhee’ in the US: Spreading Inclusion
- VOSAP presented collaborative model with AIC RMP at G20 (C20)
Enablement:
- VOSAP scholarships to deaf students in Riverside, CA and Fremont, CA
- Enablement with Assistive Devices at Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh
- 8 Enablement events scheduled in Aug for 500+ Specially Abled People
Opportunity to Double your Impact:
- $:$ Matching Donation launched on Jul 30 2023
Dear VOSAP Friends and Supporters,
Wishing you a very Happy 76th Independence Day! We are excited to bring you the summary of key updates on the impactful activities and initiatives undertaken by VOSAP during the months of June and July 2023. Let’s take a little closer look at them.
1. VOSAP presented Oral Statement during – High-level Political Forum (HLPF) at UN
VOSAP has so far presented 8 statements at the United Nations since 2018. This Year, VOSAP Ambassador Manushri Desai had the honor of presenting an Oral Statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) held at the UN Headquarters in New York on July 20.
Only 10 NGOs from around the world were selected to address community of world leaders during this 4 day event in NY, UN headquarters. We presented VOSAP PoV on how tech transformation of remote education and remote working can help acccelerate UN SDGs for Persons with Disabilities.
Watch the Full statement At : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6sSDxwBosU&t=4s
2. Celebrating Jul 4, US Independence Day in Sugarland, Texas:
On July 4, the ‘VOSAP Ignite’ youth cohort in Houston celebrated the US Independence Day by establishing a VOSAP booth at Crown Park in Sugar Land, Texas.
They passionately promoted inclusion and acceptance towards Persons with disabilities, inspiring over 400 individuals in just 6 hours.
Ms. Sugar Land, Jimaniece Barry, learned about VOSAP’s cause and many attendees donated and pledged their support.
3. VOSAP Founder Shri Pranav Desai Interviewed on DD National and DD Bharati
Shri Pranav Desai, the visionary founder of VOSAP, was featured in an inspiring interview on DD National and DD Bharati, Govt of India 24*7 News Channel, on July 27 in morning show ‘Thoughtful Thursday’.
He shared his vision and mission of how to mainstream Persons with Disabilities, sharing his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of harnessing the abilities of specially-abled individuals with use of innoavtive assisstive products and solutions.
Watch the full interview of 15 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAs_Pak7YoQ&t=7s
4. 3 Special Screening of ‘Anokhee Movie’: Spreading Inclusion
VOSAP volunteers presented the message of inclusion portrayed in the movie ‘Anokhee’ through special screenings held in theatres Fremont, CA, Los Angeles, California, and Fairfax, Virginia and scheduled few more in the US with aim to reach out to thousands of people across the US.
The response from each of 3 locations was overwhelming, indicating a growing global appreciation for the film’s powerful message.
In Los Angeles, the show was a tremendous success, resonating deeply with audiences and serving as both an advocacy platform and a big fundraiser, raising $230,000 in Los Angeles alone during the show because of generous offer of $:$ match by Shri Manubhai and Rikaben Shah.
Read Article: https://www.voiceofsap.org/anokhee-show-la/
5. At G20 (C20), on Human Rights and Disability, VOSAP presented its collaborative model with AIC RMP (Incubator)
VOSAP participated in the C20 Conference on Human Rights as Human Values, held on June 8 at Nalanda University in Bihar and presented our collaborative model with AIC RMP, which aims to promote innovations in the Assistive Technology Sector.
We highlighted the potential for replicating this model in various G20 countries, with the goal of scaling up the innovation and adoption of assistive technology. By collectively integrating persons with disabilities into mainstream society, we aim to create significant improvements in human rights conditions.
Read article: https://www.voiceofsap.org/vosap-c20/
6. VOSAP expands Scholarship Program to Northern California
The VOSAP Scholarship program expanded to Northern California, providing higher education opportunities for students in the region. Recently, four students from the California School for the Deaf in Fremont, CA and two students from the California School for the Deaf in Riverside received the VOSAP Scholarship, supporting their academic pursuits at Gallaudet University.
This program is fully funded by life time donor of VOSAP, Shri Raj Rana, who is also active volunteer, found schools, applicants and related tasks.He is a big inspiration to our donors, volunteers both.
Read more : https://www.voiceofsap.org/scholarship-2023/
7. Enablement event at Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh
On June 28, Neemuch witnessed a powerful wave of empowerment as Voice of SAP provided tricycles to specially abled individuals. With the Neemuch event, VOSAP is extending its support to SAP in Madhya Pradesh.
The event was joined by esteemed guests from Goverment, elected MLA, MP, Saksham and VOSAP representatives. Shri Pankaj Maru, VOSAP lead volunteer isnpired everyone, talked to media about VOSAP mission, accessibility and how we can expand in more places in Madhya Pradesh.
Read more: https://www.voiceofsap.org/event/vosap-enablement-event-at-neemuch/
8. Enablement with Flexmo Crutches
VOSAP AT Exhibitor and Partner Flexmotive Technologies is an Assistive Technology Company focusing on solutions for the elderly and people suffering with locomotor disability. Flexmotive technologies has innovated Pain free and slip resistant crutches for people with mobility issues. In the Month of June and July, 176 SAP were enabled with patented Crutches in various locations in India Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka ,Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra.
Opportunity to Double your Impact with Matching Donation
At the heart of VOSAP’s success are its strategic and generous donors, who selflessly support the cause to make a significant impact on the lives of those with special abilities. We are very grateful to our donors for their generous support to the mission.
Chief patrons of VOSAP, Shri Manubhai and Rikaben Shah, inspired donors by announcing a matching donation with the MSI Charitable Trust.
- For every amount of donation made between $250 to $500,000, the MSI Charitable Trust will be matching each donation $:$ effectively doubling the contribution’s impact.
- For example, your gift of $1 a day can be truly life-changing, now making twice the impact it once had Empowerment of 7 people!!! Please donate wholeheratedly, people are awaiting our help!!!!!
With your generous donation, we have helped 17,000 people so far and opportunity to empower 10,000 more in next 12 months, creating a more inclusive and happy world.
Donate today at : www.voiceofsap.org/donation
