Health

On March 14, 2024, OSF joined hands with the Khoros team near Hosakote, Bengaluru, to observe World Kidney Day. This event was a powerful gathering focused on raising awareness, sharing support, and reminding everyone that kidney health is life health.

The day was dedicated to those fighting kidney disease and showcased the direct, vital relief provided by Project Dayal (our dialysis support fund).

A Community of Support

The celebration brought together a diverse and heartfelt community:

• Project Dayal Heroes: Ten dialysis patients and their caretakers attended, giving guests a chance to hear firsthand about the severe challenges they face and the life-changing support they receive.
• OSF Family: Students and beneficiaries from Project Shrestha participated, symbolizing the broader community that OSF serves.
• Partners and Sponsors: Representatives from Khoros and OSF, along with staff from other principal sponsors of Project Dayal, were present, offering a huge source of encouragement to the patients.

The Doctor’s Prescription for Health

The highlight of the event was an essential message from Dr. G Sreeharsha, a leading Nephrologist. His practical, life-saving advice served as a clear action plan for everyone to protect their kidneys:

• Stay Active and Fit: Regular movement is key to overall health.
• Manage Vitals: Keep close tabs on your Blood Sugar Levels and Blood Pressure.
• Hydrate Well: Always ensure you drink plenty of fluids.
• Mind Your Diet: Monitor your weight and commit to a healthy diet.
• Avoid Risks: Limit over-the-counter pill intake and avoid smoking.
• Prioritize Testing: Make regular Kidney Function Tests a priority.

The World Kidney Day celebration was a moving reminder of the importance of community, timely intervention, and the profound difference a little bit of awareness—and a lot of support—can make.

For the people of the Kuvi tribal villages in the remote Koraput District of Odisha, the simple act of drinking water carried a daily fear. This is the story of how a critical mission in 2024 transformed that fear into hope, giving dignity, health, and a secure future back to an entire community.

A Risk Run Dry: The Fight for Purity

For generations, the residents of Patamanda, Jogipalur, Denganapayu, and Rangajodi relied on water piped directly from mountain sources. Though beautiful, this water was anything but safe. It was a persistent threat, silently attacking the health of the community, carrying:

•  Contaminants from the wild (plant matter and animal waste)
• Invisible industrial pollutants

This exposure meant that water-borne diseases were a constant, pervasive enemy, tragically limiting the potential and well-being of every family.

Turning on the Tap of Hope

OSF stepped in, determined to replace risk with unwavering reliability. Our project didn’t just install pipes; it installed a promise. We introduced advanced filtration systems utilizing Activated Carbon and Sand to deliver pristine, life-giving drinking water.

• The Valleys Speak: In Patamanda and Jogipalur, the systems are fully functional, flowing with pure water.
• The Hills Are Next: Work is rapidly concluding in the remote hillside villages of Denganapayu and Rangajodi—places so isolated, one only received road access in 2023!

Empowering the Caretakers: The 3-Day Transformation

A project is only as strong as the hands that maintain it. The true magic of this initiative is in the local ownership we built. We held a comprehensive 3-day training where the community came together to become the masters of their own water source.

Adult men and women united to form the Jal Samithi (Water Committee). We didn’t just hand over keys; we shared knowledge, emphasizing that clean water is a matter of life—impacting both physical and spiritual well-being.

Through hands-on technical sessions, the committee learned to:

• Understand the Science behind the filtration.
•  Maintain and Clean the systems expertly.
•  Safeguard the water source from future contamination.

We transformed villagers into technical experts, ensuring this system will provide safe water for generations to come.

The Voices of Change

The most moving proof of success comes from those who drink the water every day:

“I never knew water could be filtered and made clean. This water tastes better, and the earlier smell and colour of the water has gone.”

— Majhi Wadeka, Jal Samiti Member & Maintenance Head, Patamanda.

“The colour of this water is clearer and is better than the previous water. Thanks to the OSF team for the efforts and teaching about water in such a different manner.”

— Daya Wadeka, Jal Samiti Member & Maintenance Team, Patamanda.

This initiative is a shining example of transformation powered by partnership. OSF extends heartfelt gratitude to our donors, whose support funded this most fundamental gift: the source of life itself.