Make-A-Wish Foundation Of India

Background
Did you ever wish upon a star as a child? 7-year-old Christopher of Arizona did - he wanted to be a police officer when he grew up. Even when he knew he had Leukemia. Arizona highway patrolmen as a special gesture granted Christopher's wish for a day, laying the foundations for "Make-A-Wish".

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish foundation has fulfilled 100,000 such wishes for children with terminal or life-threatening diseases. In 1996, Uday Joshi brought the Make-A-Wish Foundation to India, and in 2004, MAW was set up in Hyderabad.

Activities
A 'wish' can be initiated by the parents, relatives or legal guardians of the child, or by children themselves. The only criteria are that the child must be between 3-18 years of age, and that the illness must be certified by a physician. The wish can be of any nature, and is fulfilled at no cost to the child's family.

Volunteer Opportunities
Although one would like to wish that wishes would come true out of thin air, it does require the support of individuals like us. And so, volunteer meetings are held every Monday at 11am at their office.

You could also "adopt a wish" - taking on the responsibility of granting one or several wishes. Individual/corporate sponsorships, travel sponsorship, or sponsorship of events, programs and newsletters are other options. Cash donations can be made in favor of "Make-A-Wish Foundation of India", and donations are exempt from tax under section 80G(I) of the Income Tax Act 1961.

All proceeds aid the cause, so much so that if you drop into their office for literature on the Foundation, you will get a photocopied version - to save on unnecessary costs.

The MAWF is a small, unassuming office in Jubilee Hills. Mind you, their dedication to the cause is infectious - it makes you believe in magic wands and guardian angels, and the power to bring unimaginable hope into a child's life.