PRAATHAL
Praathal is the award-winning flagship project started during the Silver Jubilee year (2014) of Rotary Cochin Metropolis Through this on-going project for the last 6 years, we serve breakfast to 200 poor patients and by-standers of Medical College Kalamassery, Kochi at 7:15 a.m. every day, except Sundays. The breakfast consists of idlis, sambar and black tea. So far, we have served over 1,10,000 people. Contributions towards the Praathal project are mostly from within the club.
Since 2019, we have associated with VeeKayVees Caterers to ensure that we get the best quality food prepared in most hygienic environment.
DHWANI
Dhwani (Gift of Hearing) is an initiative by Rotary Cochin Metropolis with the mission of providing a solution to the needy with hearing impairment. Dhwani strives to provide assistance for the hearing impaired person depending on their need including hearing aids, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Surgeries (BAHA) or Cochlear implant surgeries of the individual.
The first phase of Dhawani was launched by Rtn. Chitra Ashok, Rotary Assistant Governor, on July 1, 2020 under the leadership of Rtn. Dr. George Kuruvilla (ENT surgeon). The project was started with the provision of suitable hearing aids to five hearing-impaired students between the ages four and ten years. Rotary will also pay for their speech therapy free for a year. All these children are from a very low socio-economic background.
The project is funded by individual Rotarians of the club and looking forward to extend the benefits to more individuals in the future as additional funds become available.
LIFE SAVER
Life Saver is a flagship initiative by Rotary Cochin Metropolis dedicated to empowering communities with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in emergencies. Focused primarily on CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) training and awareness, the campaign aims to create a network of trained individuals who can act swiftly during cardiac emergencies and other life-threatening situations.
Every second counts in a medical emergency, and immediate intervention can mean the difference between life and death. Recognising this, Life Saver works to bridge the gap between crisis and care by:
- Conducting hands-on CPR training sessions across schools, colleges, offices, and public spaces
- Raising public awareness about the importance of knowing basic life-saving techniques
- Collaborating with medical professionals and first responders to ensure accurate, practical training
- Encouraging civic responsibility and community readiness through volunteerism and education
With this initiative, Rotary Cochin Metropolis envisions a society where more lives are saved simply because someone nearby knew what to do and took action.
Wisdom
Wisdom is an educational initiative by Rotary Cochin Metropolis aimed at empowering students through guidance, mentorship, and developmental support. This program focuses on nurturing young minds by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to grow academically, emotionally, and socially. By fostering a culture of learning and personal growth, Wisdom seeks to inspire students to reach their full potential and become responsible, confident individuals ready to contribute meaningfully to society
Save Our Rivers
Save Our Rivers is a meaningful and impactful environmental initiative launched by Rotary Cochin Metropolis with the vision of preserving and restoring the ecological integrity of our rivers. Recognising the vital role rivers play in sustaining life, this initiative is designed to combat pollution, revive biodiversity, and ensure the long-term availability of clean water. At its core, the campaign seeks to raise public awareness about the consequences of water contamination and the importance of maintaining river ecosystems. It actively promotes sustainable environmental practices and responsible waste disposal through community outreach and educational programs in schools, colleges, and neighbourhoods.
In addition to awareness efforts, “Save Our Rivers” encourages hands-on participation from residents, volunteers, and environmental advocates through organised clean-up drives, afforestation along riverbanks, and workshops on water conservation. Rotary Cochin Metropolis collaborates with environmental experts, local authorities, and civic bodies to create lasting solutions and policies for river health. By fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among citizens, the initiative not only aims to protect our rivers today but also to instil a culture of environmental responsibility for future generations. It stands as a testament to Rotary’s unwavering commitment to community welfare and environmental sustainability.
SANTHWANAM (Completed)
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized that many families in the Cochin Corporation area are struggling to make both ends meet. We decided to support as many of the needy families as possible, initially with provisions and later on with medicines etc.
We formulated basic criteria to identify families in need and requested all 74 councillors in Cochin Corporation to recommend at least one deserving family from each division.
Having initially identified 50 families, we started Project Santhwanam in July 2020. It was inaugurated by Smt. Saumini Jain, Honorable Mayor of Cochin Corporation, A package with 27 basic provision items is hand-delivered to each family on a monthly basis. This provides adequate necessities for at least two meals a day for a month.
We have been successfully delivering this package every month. We are increasing the number of beneficiary families as they are identified and validated.
Project Santhwanam is fully sponsored by our own members.
SHELTER (Completed)
Project Shelter, an initiative to provide homes for those who lost their dwelling during the floods of 2018, is continuing at pace. Last year, Rotary Cochin Metropolis has constructed and handed over five houses.
Construction of twelve houses, in partnership with Antrix Corporation (the commercial arm of the ISRO) is planned this year, along with two more being funded by two individual members of Rotary Cochin Metropolis. Construction is going on in full swing for seven of these houses.
PARIVARTAN
Our Tree planting project initiative to plant saplings started during July, 2020. On that day we planted saplings at Primary Health Centre, Kandakadavu, Kochi.
