Personal Background and Introduction to the Cause
- The occasion is taking place at an engineering institution, which is a new experience, as there is no personal connection to engineering through family or education 10s.
- Mastectomy, the topic of discussion, refers to the removal of a complete breast, usually due to cancer, and it is a subject that is often stigmatized and not openly talked about 4m42s.
- The treatment for cancer is expensive and can be a significant financial burden, leaving patients with limited options and support after undergoing a mastectomy 6m15s.
Discovery of Knitted Knockers and Motivation to Help
- The idea of creating knitted knockers, or handmade breasts, for women who have survived cancer was discovered while browsing the internet, and it was found that an organization in the US was already providing this service 8m30s.
- The decision to start creating knitted knockers was motivated by a lifelong desire to give back to society and help those in need, which was instilled from a young age and continued through various charitable activities 10m40s.
- The practice of giving to others has been a consistent part of life, from collecting donations as a child to continuing charitable work as an adult, and the opportunity to create knitted knockers was seen as a way to make a positive impact 12m50s.
Early Life and Development of Handwork Skills
- The individual was taught various handwork skills, including sewing, needlework, crochet, and knitting, as a child, which eventually became a passion and provided focus, and it is believed that having a hobby, such as fine arts or music, is essential besides education 10s.
- Upon returning to India, the individual met a relative who had undergone a mastectomy due to breast cancer and was using a rolled-up handkerchief or dupatta as a substitute, which led to the idea of creating a better alternative 2m6s.
Initial Creation and Inspiration for the Organization
- The individual created a pair of knitted breast prosthetics and gave them to the relative, who was extremely grateful and suggested sharing them with other women who were suffering, which sparked the idea of starting an organization 4m42s.
- The individual signed up with Knitted Knockers.org as a provider in India and gathered a group of friends to discuss the idea, which eventually led to the creation of a new organization 6m15s.
- The organization was initially going to be called Knitted Knockers India, but the name was changed to Saisha, which means "meaningful life," as it was felt that every woman's life would become more meaningful with the help of the organization 8m40s.
Growth and Registration of Saisha India Foundation
- Saisha India Foundation was officially registered as a charitable trust in 2019, and it has grown from five initial volunteers to around 600, with 450 active volunteers, over the course of several years 12m10s.
- The organization, Saisha, was started in 2018 and initially provided around 250 pieces of knockers to patients, but now it gives more than 5,000 a year, and has helped approximately 15,000 patients so far 10s.
- Saisha has connected with over 250 hospitals and doctors across India, and its success is attributed to destiny, with people reaching out to create awareness about the organization's work 42s.
Structure and Volunteer Management of Saisha
- The organization is run entirely by women, with no paid staff, and all volunteers, including the speaker's husband, who keeps records and is the backbone of Saisha 1m6s.
- The journey of Saisha has not been easy, with difficulties in finding the right people to approach, creating awareness, and getting doctors and patients to accept the organization's products 2m6s.
- The organization has a strong band of over 400 volunteers, all women, who are committed to the cause, with no infighting or ego, and each volunteer is personally spoken to and taught the philosophy and ethics of Saisha before being onboarded 3m30s.
- The volunteers manage all of Saisha's social media pages, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, and the organization also provides training to its volunteers once a week 4m40s.
Challenges and Outreach Strategies
- The organization's approach to connecting with doctors involves reaching out to them directly, and the speaker has found that a simple text message introducing herself and her work is often enough to initiate a conversation 6m20s.
- When a good cause is presented with a clear objective, help and resources can become available, and it is essential to ask for assistance without feeling shy or bad, as the worst that can happen is a rejection 10s.
- Rejections are a natural part of the process, and it is crucial to be prepared for them and accept them, while also being open to the possibility of a positive response, such as the blessings of those who receive help 42s.
Financial Management and Volunteer Feedback
- Managing finances is a crucial aspect, and initially, personal funds were used, but now small donations are received, and feedback from patients who have benefited from the help is incredibly positive and motivating 2m6s.
- Surveys have been conducted with volunteers and patients, which have provided valuable insights into the psychological benefits of the support provided, such as increased confidence and a sense of empowerment, with some patients even reporting that they had not left their houses for years but now feel more confident 2m6s.
Impact and Broader Message of Support
- The importance of supporting women, particularly young girls, who are suffering from cancer and need help, cannot be overstated, and it is essential to be aware of their struggles and provide assistance 2m6s.
- Starting a project with a good objective and honest means can attract the necessary funds and resources, and it is essential to understand that cancer is not incurable and that support from family and loved ones can make a significant difference 2m6s.
