Hands on India 2025
Recently Dr Esyltt returned from a ‘kaleidoscope’ experience in Siliguri, India. On this impactful and outstanding trip a group of 30 volunteer chiropractors and assistants worked tirelessly, delivering chiropractic care to over 2,000 people across remote villages in rock-breaking and tea plantation communities. The environment is harsh, and yet the results were beyond expectations. It is amazing to see what can be achieved in just two weeks, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the people we served. It’s a reflection of their resilience and their heart driven desire to be the best for their families, just like you and me. Everywhere we went, we were met with warm smiles, vibrant cultural events, and a deep sense of connection. It is a humbling experience which touches the heart and mind, leaving an enduring imprint.
The two weeks of providing hands on treatment deepens the connection with the community, facilitating improved physical wellbeing and critically, gaining a more thorough understanding of their unique needs. This allows the charity Hands on India (approaching its 20th year) to develop and fund programs that provide continual support year round. The goal is to not rely solely on the annual 2 weeks of physical presence, but to guide, facilitate and mentor these communities into an improved quality of life.
In Siliguri we receive invaluable support from the NGO partner, Seva Kendra, and their team of kind people. We stay at their hostel, and they organise the translators and the transport out to the villages, as well as facilitating the year long programs Hands on India funds.
Hands on India supports six schools, educating 900 children, which continue to provide excellent education, led by passionate teachers and filled with engaged, joyful students. Watching the rock breaker school children’s sports carnival was an absolute highlight.
We also witnessed the strength of the Women's Self-Help Groups, where women showcased their newfound skills—such as mushroom growing, handicrafts, and pickle making—which they sell to support their families. The most touching moment was presenting awards to participants of the new literacy program, where many women have now learned basic literacy and to sign their names. Attending a meeting with 200 representatives from the 3,000 women in the program touched our hearts
HOI efforts have expanded in the health sector, where they now fund 40 volunteer-run village health centers acting as hubs for healthcare, hygiene education, and access to medical services. These centers run year round and are pivotal in referring patients for further management, such as blood pressure monitoring and other conditions identified for further assistance in our health clinics. Thousands of families now benefit from these services. We visited one of these centers where we were educated in the use of local plant and herbal remedies for BP, diabetes, gall stones, and immune support which we will continue to research.
Dr Sue met with one of five nursing scholarship recipients, who is studying 24 hours away by train. HOI is planning to enroll five more nursing students, with the goal of employing some of them in the TOI health centers upon their graduation.
The patients and communities we served welcomed us with open arms, offering cultural performances and expressing their deep gratitude. Our relationship with Seva Kendra’s staff and volunteers has grown stronger, reinforcing our confidence that our funding and educational initiatives are making an extraordinary difference in this high-needs area. The progress we’ve made together is not only thrilling but also profoundly rewarding, making all the preparation and fundraising efforts feel truly worthwhile.
To our donors, I assure you your contributions are being put to work in ways far beyond what you could imagine. And to our partner, Seva Kendra, thank you for making all of this possible and turning our shared vision into a reality.
I am deeply grateful to participate in this profound experience and return to Collie, where our fresh air, lifestyle and opportunities are abundant.
For more information visit the website https://www.handsonindia.org.au/
Instagram & FB #hands_on_india_official
Donations greatly appreciated
https://hands-on-india-2024-25.raiselysite.com/esyltt-graham