Influence•za

Last week of January, saw us as a team go to Hambran. To lend a help to a slum school struggling to keep its doors open. The Elvina Development Centre, which is run by Pastor Sanjeev and helps in educating more then 150 underprivileged children in getting primary education. When I first saw the place it was just two rooms and a open veranda. No electricity, no water and teachers had not been paid their salaries.

As a group we had the chance to go and provide school kits to at least the most underprivileged children amongst these children which comprised one years worth of school supplies. The school kits consist of basic staples required to study, but also some extras. Also, of course we spent time and got to know them more better in the time of fellowship we were able to conduct with them last Sunday.

I thank God that again we are able to continue the work despite the obstacles we face as a group, and that we are able to come together for a greater purpose. Also, that we are able to spread the love to newer people in the community. The pastor said, that they were so depressed about their situation as they faced eviction. They totally forgot the children and his staff about that. It was a much needed break of encouragement.

Also teachers salaries were paid, for half a year and the remaining amount subsequently for a whole year will be given. Plus, a few sports equipment to the pastor who is also the principal were given for the school.

The girls also made these individual bracelets for each of the children. Colourful and vibrant as the artists behind them.

We hope in the future the team can continue to bring the "good news," and love of Christ to these children.

P.C Rohan and Anmol and hopefully Josh will also share his pics soon. Until then here are a few snapshots of Sunday.

Man’s feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell.

So this is goodbye to Influence.za

I knew this day would come, ever since coming back I was always wondering when will be my last day. For awhile I couldn't contemplate my last day of active work in this ministry. I started detaching and picked today as my last day. Working from my imaginary office that resided in the slum, and the orphanages in past 2 and half years, I couldn't imagine the day when I would never come back. Today that day has come.

When we welcomed this idea, I could never imagine the people we would touch, the love that we had within us to pour out to those in our community. To Influence so many others in other parts of this country.

One of my favourite collection of books as a child were Dr. Seus books. What better way to say it, especially for a group that has really become a children's ministry.

In the words of Dr. Seus, "Don't cry because it’s over, smile because it happened."

I just like to thank everyone for their support, no one person could ever do this work. It has been a massive team effort. I also want to thank all the people who prayed for us, and sent their messages and encouragements. Truly God has helped me grow so much in these last years, many days there was no one to turn to but, just pray. I thank God for all the great people I've met over this journey, especially the whole committee team which became like a family. I'll miss working with you all and continue to pray for the children and my family.

I wish the new committee the best. May they find their strength and wisdom form the Lord almighty in every aspect of their lives not just Influence.za.

Finally, I was looking at these pots, and so many more from our Children's day. Each pot made by the innocence of a child. One pot in particular caught my eyes, it said, God is love. That's what Influence.za has taught me, what it means to share the love of God and the power it has to transform lives.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.- 1 John 4:8

Thank you for the years.

Gurbir Gosal

Some more photos from Children's Day. Pic credit to Rohan. :)

Yesterday was Children's Day, and where better to be but at Morningstar children's home.

We took the day off to do pot painting with the kids. The kids really enjoyed it, as they had never done something like this before. Sometimes its just about spending time, that's all these kids wanted.

I thank Rohan for the photography and the batch of 2016, the new strain of influence.za in our giant family. They did a great job and made the kids day. Also Soup for her hard work. The kids got to keep the pots as a memory.

Spreading the love one day at a time.

To just keep you in the loop, there's so much that is done that is not posted. In February, there was a need for medical awareness among 93 orphaned girls in a village called Glulal.

We as a team in collaboration with our faculty from the gynaecology department, Dr.Tapasaya and Dr.Tuli were able to go to this place. We did not just spend time with the children. But were able to do a menstrual hygiene camp and provide not just education but also give folic acid and iron, with medication for deworming.

Pads were also provided and the rest of the day was spent playing with the children.

I thank everyone that came to help out.

On Sept 29th to Oct.1st, was a Students missions conference at CMC Vellore called Shiloh.

The Influence.za group was given a invitation to come and share their mission and what it means to them, "come, follow me." Mathew 4:19 this year's theme at Shiloh 2016.

When it comes to following the Lord I felt it was important not just to speak about what we have accomplished in three years, but paint a practical and holistic image of our work that people can relate with, especially students.

This lead to a talk about our fears as a group, the times we have failed and for me personally even forgetfulness on why we are doing this work in the first place and not to focus on the results.

The beauty is that by sharing our failures, fears and forgetfulness when it came to the work it doesn't weaken us or belittles God's work. It shows that we kept following our God, even days when it seemed like or we felt like giving up. Other days we have left dissatisfied and forgotten why we exist. It's not easy following God but what's amazing to me is in my broken leadership of this group and our team, God has found success in our failures, dispelled my fears and reminded us why we exist, to simply glorify Him in all we do.

If we don't admit our mistakes how can we ever grow.

Thank you, for the last three years, everyone and especially God Almighty. Also, there was a opportunity to share about our founder Dame Edith Mary Brown, speaking about her fears, failures and forgetfulness. What it really means when we say, "My work is for a King."

There is no one who doesn't struggle to follow Christ. The key is not giving up.

This was the challenge we presented to others. When does the work start?

If the answer is today then what are we waiting for.

Thanks to the small group of support we had from CMC Ludhiana and our alumni working at CMC Vellore. Most importantly thanks to God above all.

Lots of people were moved by the talk and took up the challenge and have started there own units or decided to do more. I guess that's the influencing part of influence.za.

This morning a few of us went to support the cause of Breast Cancer Awareness through a walk-a-thon arranged by the Can Fight Cancer group and help our friends out with there endeavours. Just some of the sleepy faces at 6:30 am that made it, thanks guys.

Several months back in May we actually did a small survey and check up of the people from the slum we were helping out of 84 individuals I got to see 64 that day. As one family had gone for a wedding and few were at work.

The year before we had started to fund for cataract operations at Bilga hospital and this year finished the last two individuals. Now no one in this particular slum has blindness do to cataract.

Another thing I noticed was the large amount of dermatology cases. In particular scabies. We were able to do mass eradication of scabies and the cases have come down. The people were required to put their beds and clothes in the sun for several days each day. Other illnesses medicine was also given. And a large stock was left at Morningstar Orphanage to meet the people's needs of the slum as and when required with instructions. All drugs are over the counter drugs and a part of the essential drugs list by WHO.

It's amazing what students can do when we put our mind to it. I thank the dermatology department at CMC for sponsoring the Ivermectin and helping out.

"Har chhoti si har ek nahar saagar ban bhi jaaye;
Toh tinka leke haath me
Dhoond lenge hum
Kinaaaaree!"

Long time since we updated about the happenings in influence.za, so here it goes.

October,along with the 'apparent' month of fall (because other than the prof season I don't know what fell honestly ), is also the month of breast cancer awareness.

So we were approached by a group called " Can Fight Cancer" (yet once again) which goes about spreading awareness of the early signs of cancer and how it can be tackled helping a huge number of people, to doing Flash Mobs across the malls in Ludhiana as part of their breasts cancer awareness campaign.
Here are a few glimpses of the influence.za-ians who took part in the dance choreographed by Sarah Jain and the group lead by Anisha Susan.

This post is written by Sarah Jain.

Hey everyone! A few days ago, we had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Deepak and his family. Mr. Deepak is a cook in the Snow hostel mess and he was recently blessed with a baby girl. However soon after the baby was born, she developed respiratory distress and needed some treatment for which Mr. Deepak didn’t have enough funds. We have given him Rs.5000 to help pay for the treatment and have also met with the family to pray with them and let them know that we are here to help support them in whatever way we can.

We know that we usually don't share much about patient care even though we help several patients throughout the year but your prayers are needed so we decided to share. Apologies once again as we are always late on updating on social media.

A week ago, Influence•za had another opportunity to join hands with Can Fight Cancer to spread awareness about to***co abuse to factory workers at a hosiery in Akash Nagar, Ludhiana. 6 of the workers committed to stop smoking! We thank Dr. Kunal Jain for giving us this opportunity to work with his team once again. Looking forward to the next event!

Influence•za joined hands with Can Fight Cancer to spread awareness about the effects of to***co abuse to workers at a hosiery in Akash Nagar, Ludhiana