India, 05 August 2011 – RYTHM Foundation presented a cheque for USD40,000 to aid the completion of a home for the less fortunate in the Madurai District in India, as part of its worldwide ‘I’m MAD’ (Making A Difference) campaign. When fully completed, the eight-block Akshaya Home, an initiative by the Akshaya H.E.L.P Trust, will provide some 450 street people with a safe place to stay.
“The donation will help fund the USD65,000 construction of the seventh block which houses a kitchen, storerooms and a dining hall for its residents,” said RYTHM Foundation trustee, Donna Imson.
RYTHM Foundation recently launched and facilitates the ‘I’m Making A Difference’ (‘I’m MAD’) Campaign through QI Group subsidiary and global direct selling leader QNet, to raise additional funds for its world-wide activities. These include providing financial assistance and donations to numerous causes, charities and fund-raising events. The Trust is the Campaign partner in India.
Over USD20,000 raised through sales of ‘I’m MAD’ merchandise has been added to the total sum of USD40,000 donated to the Trust today.
“With the Campaign in place, RYTHM Foundation is able to unite millions of QNet customers, partners and employees across our subsidiaries to improve the lives of disadvantaged individuals and communities around the world.
“Trust founder Narayanan Krishnan is also making a huge difference in the lives of street people in Madurai. This is why he has been selected as QNet’s I’m MAD Campaign Ambassador as well,” Imson further elaborated.
The Foundation has been involved in projects in India since 2009, with the most recent being its donation to help set up the Department of Ayurvedic Research at the Sri Sri University in Orissa. A year later, RYTHM Foundation also embarked on a two-year partnership with World Vision International to enrich the lives of 121 impoverished children in 11 countries, including India, with improved education, health care, and support systems.
In May, RYTHM Foundation presented Krishnan with the V- RYTHM Award which came with a trophy and USD25,000 in cash.
“Upon receiving the award, Krishnan announced that he would use the money to help build the seventh block at Akshaya Home. This inspired us to commit to donating the balance of USD40,000 towards its construction, which is scheduled for completion next March,” Imson said.
Krishnan was previously selected to be among the top 10 winners of the CNN Heroes 2010 Award. He is also the first Indian national to receive the award out of 10,000 nominees worldwide.
His mission began in 2002 when he witnessed an elderly man eating his own human waste out of sheer hunger. Since then, he has embarked on a street feeding programme, serving freshly cooked meals everyday, three times a day. To date, he has served a total of 1.5 million meals, assisted by his volunteers and staff.
At today’s event, Krishnan said: “Both RYTHM Foundation and the Akshaya H.E.L.P Trust seek to assist those in need. Given our shared mission, I am excited to be the I’m MAD Campaign Ambassador in India… together we can build a more compassionate world.”
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