SHILLONG: Dr BR Medhi, Chairperson, We Care Foundation, stated with conviction at the programme to give out scholarships to the most deprived and underprivileged students on Saturday at the Convention Centre, “We cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
Since its inception as a Trust in 2015, We Care Foundation, which comprises mostly doctors and a few others from the non-medical professions, has been working relentlessly to better the plight of students who cannot afford higher studies due to financial problems.
The Foundation takes great pain to identify the most needy students who excel in their studies, to enable them to pursue higher studies.
A brilliant example is that of a blind student, Bertina Lyngdoh of Bethany Society who was first to complete her Masters in English in Braille.
Carmo Noronha, Director of Bethany Society, said Bertina now holds a job as lecturer in a college in Hojai and comes to Bethany Society every month to give Rs 2,000 to help some other students in need.
Addressing the audience, Chief Guest, Governor Tathagata Roy who heard the testimony of two of the recipients of We Care scholarship – Barimika Marboh and Aniket Modak – remarked that it really touched his heart.
“I have not heard of We Care Foundation earlier but read the literature on them and I am deeply impressed with their work; and this must be just the tip of the iceberg. I am sure We Care Foundation has much more to its credit,” Roy said.
Governor Roy said he would also like to extend all possible help to the Foundation within the constitutional limitations and invited the members of the Foundation to come to Raj Bhavan and discuss the way forward.
MBoSE Chairman M Marbaniang said We Care Foundation is doing a phenomenal job and informed that BITS Pilani reserves seats for toppers from the Board. He cited the example of a topper from the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka, last year who was a student from Mairang in Meghalaya.
He encouraged the We Care Foundation to continue with their good work of identifying toppers coming from underprivileged families and giving them an opportunity for realising their dreams.
Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, who was the guest of honour, said she was deeply touched by the good work of We Care Foundation and the many lives they have touched.
“As doctors it is easy to slip into a comfortable and selfish life but the members of We Care Foundation care enough to go beyond their profession and serve the needy. The spirit of giving should be encouraged early in life so that the young too learn the spirit of giving,” she said.
Apart from scholarships to the needy, We Care Foundation also organises regular health camps and creates awareness on Hepatitis B and C.
Reading the report of the Foundation, David Kharsati, Treasurer, We Care Foundation, said in 2015, the foundation gave Rs 10,000 each to 10 students from BPL families.
In 2016, over and above the 10 scholarships of Rs 10,000 each the Foundation also totally sponsored Barimika Marboh for three years to complete her B.Com degree from St Anthony’s College. Now she is in her 5th semester.
In 2017, a special scholarship was given to Vishal Das of Mairang who secured a distinction in Khasi in spite of being a non-Khasi.
This year the Foundation gave cash prizes to three students from Classes IX and X and a sponsorship of three students of Classes XI and XII for two years.
Dr AJ Ghosh thanked the teachers who constantly guided the students to do their best in the tradition of a Guru. “A guru is one who removes darkness,” Ghosh said.
Earlier, the Aroha Children’s Choir and students of Bethany Society performed at the function. Pauline Warjri who had recently accompanied the Aroha Choir to Ireland to perform in an international choir competition and had won in two categories was recognised by the Foundation.