Jain Digest 1999 07

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 19

North American Jain Family Assitance Program Appeal
JAINA is on the move towards the new millennium powered by a rich cultural religion, non-violence and peaceful coexistence. The North American Jain Family Assistance Program is JAINA's will for humanity, self-reliance and dedication to overcome pan and sorrow in order to live in a free world. The mission of this committee is to create an infrastructure of support ready for families within their communities. The committee's role in this endeavor is to function as a catalyst by granting initial emergency funding then fostering assistance to the needy families directly from their own community.
Support activities NAJFAP organized in the past year:
(1) The committee began to organize and develop a communication network with various Jain communities across North America. (2) Committee members contacted community members in their cities to explain the mission and increase awareness of the type of help available. (3) Letters were then distributed to Jain communities all across North America requesting donations for the committee's emergency funds. (4) The committee began to receive requests for assistance and began to distributed emergency financial support. (5) The committee contacted the appropriate official within the grant receiver's local community to urge support for the family or person in need of assistance.
Work accomplish in 1998:
1. For a loving husband, fulfilling the last wish of his dying wife 2. For a caring father, the gift of a bone marrow transplant and life for his beautiful daughter
3. For a Jain sadu and scholar, a suggestion of a generous honorarium and community care.
4. For a single parent, her daughter's dream to study abroad. 5. For a scared and confused individual, moral support, soothing communication and faithful prayer.
6. For emergency situations, financial support.
Your commitment, large or small, will continue to grow and brighten the lives of countless fellow Jains. Can you keep this mission in mind? Will you pour compassion from your heart for needy Jains? Will you join us to develop a security blanket for own dharam bandhu?
Please allow this work to touch your heart and push you towards excellence. Whatever can be raised to fulfill the needs, the dreams and the wishes of our fellow Jains will be greatly appreciated. Together we can further this noble cause.
Please make your contribution payaing to JAINA and mail it to:
Ila Mehta
6128 Wyandotte Rd Maumee, OH 43537 419/865-2727
AFFILIATE NEWS
IAAMJV to Offer Loan Scholarships
The International Alumni Association of Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya (IAAMJV) is planning to offer $1,000 loan scholarships for four years (total $4,000) beginning next year. The program was inaugurated with the blessings of Gurudev Chitrabhanu at the 1999 JAINA Convention in Philadelphia. These scholarships will be open to all Jain (regardless of sect) high school seniors residing in the USA and funded primarily by general donors or Benefactors. The Benefactors are the ones who will donate $5000 for each student they sponsor. They could be an individual, an institute, Jain Center/ Society/Sangh, Private Foundation, or a Charitable Trust. Each loan scholarship will be named after the benefactor's name. The concept behind the proposed program is to set up a loan scholarship fund, which will assist the student today, and when repaid by the current student, it will be available for the next student. On graduation each scholar will be aware of the tangible contribution of the community towards his/her success and should feel proud to be part of it as he/she repays the loan from earnings.
The following individuals have made a commitment to support for $5,000:
Dr. & Mrs. Bipin & Anjana Dalal, CT Mr. & Mrs. Jitendra & Pinky Doshi, NY Mr. & Mrs. Bipin Mehta,CA
Dr. & Mrs Manibhai & Savita Mehta, CA Mr. & Mrs. Bipin & Niru Parikh, NY Drs. Shirish & Kanan Patrawala, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Ashok & Pratibha Shah, NJ Dr. & Mrs. Nathalal & Nayana Shah, NY Mr. & Mrs. Sharad Shah
Mr. & Mrs. Vijay and Rita Shah, NY Drs. Dinesh & Muktida Shah, CA Drs. Indravadan & Saroj Shah, NY Mr. & Mrs. Vijay & Bina Shah, CA
Drs. Bhupendra & Chandrika Tolia, NJ Mr. & Mrs. Harkishan & Kusum Vasa, CA Dr. & Mrs. Jiten Vasa, CA
Mr. & Mrs. Anop & Renuka Vora, NY
Mr. & Mrs.Harshad and Raksha Shah, CA
The total pledges so far are $90,000.
IAAMJV is currently in the process of setting up Scholarship Committees with broad representation. They will work out the infrastructure details and work with the donors as well as students. To involve by contributing your time and/or money, please call:
Dr. Dinesh Shah (West) 323/258-4010 Mr. Kanti Mepani (East) 203/921-1950 Mr. Rajni T. Shah (Mid West) 630/876-1279 Mr. Pravin Mehta (South) 615/648-9535 Dr. Chandrika Tolia 201/767-3518
The administrative details will be available through JAIN DIGEST and JAINA focus by November 1,1999, or through our website at www.iaamjv.org, being set up now. This will enable the interested students to start the process of applications.
-Anop Vora, President, IAAMJV JAIN DIGEST FALL 1999/17 www.jainelibrary.org