Calcutta Rescue
Calcutta Rescue is a charity based in Kolkata, India, founded by Jack Preger and registered under the West Bengal societies act. It runs medical, educational and support services to disadvantaged people in West Bengal. It also imparts vocational training to ex-patients and underprivileged people.
Medical
In addition to free treatment for a range of diseases including tuberculosis, leprosy and diabetes, treatment is also provided for thalassaemia and malnutrition by a wide range of professional volunteers.
It also manages a clinic for people marginalised by HIV/AIDS and has established relationships with the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine and the Medical College Hospital for referrals including counselling, diagnosis, treatment and institution-based care.
The charity also runs targeted initiatives to deal with medical conditions which are often present in slum communities including treatment for scabies, worms, lice infestation and Vitamin A deficiency.
Education
Aimed at slum and street children, the charity runs three non-formal schools for around 300 children covering basic literacy and numeracy and provides free meals and health screening services. It also supports children going through formal schooling by funding attendance fees, school uniforms and travel allowances.
Street Medicine
Two street medicine ambulances roam around the slums of Kolkata and Howrah providing healthcare, immunisation, mother and child health treatment to the slum dwellers who are not able to visit the clinics.
Handicrafts
A fairtrade accredited handicrafts unit provides employment to former patients without any employment, drop-out students, domestic abuse survivors.
Volunteers
Clinical and non-clinical volunteers from India and abroad share their skills and assist in skill development of the local staff.
Calcutta Rescue has established supporter groups in The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Norway, France, Canada and the United States.
References
Calcutta Rescue Official Website Yahoo India News Article Jack Preger AIDS treatment
External links
- Calcutta Rescue UK
- Charity Commission. Calcutta Rescue, registered charity no. 290917.
- Calcutta Rescue (Kolkata)
- Calcutta Rescue USA Support Group
- Calcutta Rescue Dutch Support Group
- Calcutta Rescue German Support Group
- Calcutta Rescue Swiss Support Group
- Calcutta Rescue Canadian Support Group
- Calcutta Rescue French Support Group
- Illustrated description of activities in Kolkata
- Video