When wishes come true8230;

Anil Bora, a well-established Pune businessman, was highly impressed when he read the cover story article in a weekly magazine early last...

Anil Bora, a well-established Pune businessman, was highly impressed when he read the cover story article in a weekly magazine early last year, which highlighted an organisation fulfilling the wishes of children of age group three to 18, suffering from life-threatening diseases. He was touched to the core and the germ of an idea took root in his mind.

Says Bora, 8220;For a child suffering from a life-threatening illness, a small-dream-come-true is a miracle.8221; And transforming these dreams into reality is the essence of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maharashtra. It was established in Pune by Anil Bora and his wife Mangal, in June 1998, which looks over activities all over the state, excluding Mumbai. The foundation is originally based in the USA and in Pune, it is located at Li Taka Pharmaceuticals, Himalaya Estate, near Hotel Pride in Shivajinagar.

Explains Manjiri Patwardhan, in-charge of the foundation8217;s activities, 8220;We operate via a group of volunteers. A group of volunteers visit five hospitals in the city 8211; Sassoon, KEM, Ruby Clinic, Command Hospital and Inlaks 8211; every alternate day.8221; The volunteers visit the children8217;s wards for a couple of hours. 8220;A doctor refers the child to us, then we take the parents8217; permission, who update us with the child8217;s medical history. We explain our background, and talk to the child, make friends with him and it may take up to four visits to explain the concept 8211; that we grant him only one wish, only once, which the child really wants from the heart,8221; elaborates Patwardhan.

The child is given time to mull over the possibilities. 8220;As far as the wishes are concerned, the sky is the limit, we are prepared to fulfil anything 8211; from setting up a meeting with the child8217;s favourite film-star to a helicopter ride 8211; as long as the doctor certifies that it will not harm the child8217;s health. The foundation pays for everything, including any travel or spending money. The wish family pays nothing,8221; emphasises Patwardhan.

After the child states his wish, the foundation seeks approval from the office board and then fulfills the child8217;s wish. And since last year, they have fulfilled up to 100 wishes so far. The children8217;s requests range from anything to a gold chain with a religious pendant, to a ride in a white car to seeing a tiger.

8220;A girl of 12 wanted a huge teddy bear, since she was told by her parents that she was too grown-up to play with a toy. After she received the teddy, she doesn8217;t sleep without it,8221; says Patwardhan with satisfaction. 8220;One boy wanted a birthday party. He lived in the slums so he wanted everything, candles, cake and presents.

Most of the young children are satisfied with dolls and toys, the older children are more specific about their dreams 8211; be it books, dresses, video games or an outing. 8220;These children are terminally-ill, usually suffering from neurological disorders, thalesemia, awaiting transplants, but we call it life-threatening diseases, because it concerns children and one hopes they recover,8221; says Patwardhan.

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The foundation8217;s problem is naturally, the budgeting, and finding the right volunteers. 8220;We are working towards having an ample fund, because you never know, some child may ask for a Pentium II. Hence we are a public trust and donations accrued to us are exempted from Income Tax,8221; says Patwardhan. As for volunteers, the foundation is always in need of dedicated people who can communicate with children, laugh and play with them, and have the ability to take them in confidence.