Activity Report 2010-11
8th December 2010: Widows Voice Charity Dinner held at the Willingdon Club, Mumbai
The Loomba Foundation hosted a Widows Voice Charity Dinner in Mumbai, which was attended by the Foundation’s President, Cherie Blair. The dinner was also attended by Mr. Aditya Puri, CEO of HDFC Bank, Dr. Vijaypat SInghania, Chairman, Raymond Group, Bollywood actresses Poonam Dhillon and Devika Bhojwani, amongst over 200 high profile guests who attended the dinner.
The Loomba Foundation, which is currently educating 100 children of poor widows in Mumbai, unveiled its new initiative to increase the number of the beneficiaries to 1,000. The Foundation is providing education to over 2,000 widows’ children throughout India
The overall amount raised at the dinner was INR 4,000,000
1st November 2010: Diwali Dinner at the Jumeirah Essex House, New York
As the United Nations discussed a proposed Resolution recognising the plight of more than 245 millions widows worldwide, Cherie Blair and the Loomba Foundation hosted their annual Diwali Gala dinner at the Jumeirah Essex House. Guests included Loomba Foundation’s Patron Joanna Lumley OBE, International Ambassador Preity Zinta, and humanitarian activist Yoko Ono. The 5th annual
Diwali Dinner honoured entertainer Cilla Black. Mrs. Blair, President of the Loomba Foundation, spoke of the daily struggles of widows worldwide: “Prejudice and abuse against widows takes many forms and is not limited by race, religion, or geography. These women find themselves excluded from society, deprived of property rights, expelled from their own homes and households. They struggle under extreme conditions of poverty and stigma, and find themselves forgotten at best, neglected, abused and exploited at worst.”
“Shedding light on the existence of such widespread mistreatment of women must be our top priority,” said Mr. Loomba. “We are confident that with more awareness will come resolute action.”
Ms. Black has long been a supporter of the rights of widows, particularly being a widow herself. The Loomba Foundation honoured her philanthropic efforts on the evening by presenting her with the Loomba Leadership Award.
“I must say that widowhood is such a solitary experience, that to be among you seems almost like a global support group,” said Ms. Black. “It is wonderful to know such a movement exists for the millions of women who lose literally everything‐‐including their rights and self‐worth‐‐once their
husbands die.”
29th October 2010:British Indian Diamond Jubilee Banquet at the Guildhall in London
The Loomba Foundation held the British Indian Diamond Jubilee Banquet at the historical and prestigious Guildhall in London on Friday 29th October 2010 which celebrated the 60th anniversary of India’s Republic and Diwali, the Indian festival of lights. It was attended over 400 high profile guests
including senior politicians, diplomats and business leaders from both the British and Indian communities in London.
The Founder and Chairman, Raj Loomba CBE and Lord Dholakia OBE DL, Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, welcomed the Guest of Honour, His Excellency Nalin Surie, High Commissioner for India, The Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve MP, Attorney General, The Rt. Hon. Lord McNally, Minister of State – Ministry of Justice, Mr. Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Sir Paul Stephenson QPM, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and the Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt to the banquet.
The Loomba Foundation’s International Ambassador, Preity Zinta, and the famous Bollywood star, travelled especially from Mumbai to support the charity. The President of the Loomba Foundation, Cherie Blair, who was unable to attend the banquet as she was in Brazil on that day, addressed the audience through a video message. Goodwill messages from HRH the Prince of Wales and the new Leader of the Opposition, The Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband MP were read on the evening.
Raj Loomba CBE thanked the corporate sponsors for their generous support; ABN AMRO Bank, Alpesh Patel Ventures Limited, AVK‐SEG Ltd., Barclays, BDO, Clariden Leu, Clegg Gifford & Co., Close Technical Services, Commonwealth Business Council, Crookes Walker Consultancy, Deutsche Bank, Duncan Lawrie Asset Management, E&I Engineering Ltd., Farebrother Limited, Holyrood ApartHotel, HSBC, India Tourism, Jaguar, J. Fletchers Engineers Ltd., KPMG, Mardix, Metropolitan Police Services, The Old Waverley Hotel, Punjab National Bank, PV Energy, Rajeev Dhillon, Rational Foreign Exchange,
Rinku Group, Shiraz and Shamin Lalji, Sheetal and Ricky Kapoor, Singhania & Co. LLP, State Bank of India, TATA Consultancy Services, TelecityGroup, Torch Partners, Trade Aid UK International, University of East London and Virgin Atlantic. The evening raised over a quarter of a million pounds which will go to educating children of poor widows in India.
21st October 2010: Shades of Autumn Charity Social, New York
A fundraising event was held the Stone Rose Lounge, Time Warner Centre, where the Loomba Foundation showcased work from the series ‘Widow City’ by international documentary photographer, Radhika Chalasani. A raffle was held to raise money for the work of the Loomba Foundation.
4th October 2010: Cherie Blair launches The Loomba Foundation in Canada
Toronto, 4th October: The Loomba Foundation was launched officially in Canada by Mrs. Cherie Blair, President of the Foundation and Raj Loomba CBE, Founder Chairman and Trustee at a dinner in Toronto, which was hosted by Dr. Ruby Dhalla, Toronto Member of Parliament for Brampton‐
Springdale and Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Bank Financial Group. The Trustees Lord Dholakia of Waltham Brooks OBE, DL from London and Mr. Balbir Singh Kakar from India attended the launch.
At the dinner Mrs. Blair talked about the Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of the plight of widows around the world and promoting equality, education, human rights and freedom of these unfortunate people.Dr. Dhalla said “The work of the Loomba Foundation has given hope to thousands of widows throughout the world. By placing education at the heart of its efforts the Loomba Foundation has empowered children of widows with the tools and resources they need to succeed.” She added that she looks forward to working with the Loomba Foundation.
“Mrs. Blair is an integral part of the success of the Loomba Foundation and plays a key role in the Foundation’s great strides to help widows and children receive the care they need.” said Mr. Loomba. “We are committed to helping widows worldwide and appreciated the continued support and help given by both Lord Dholakia and Mr. Kakar as part of our ongoing efforts to promote fundamental freedoms and human rights for all.
” In his speech, Mr. Balbir Singh Kakar, said “Widows face prejudice and suffer in silence all over the world. Sadly, no one has addressed it up to now despite the fact that there are 0ver 245 million widows around the world. He added “I am truly pleased and proud to be part of the Loomba Foundation which is now working in 13 countries, including Canada – my home country.
30th June 2010 : International Widows Day in Rwanda
Rwanda, 30th June 2010: A meeting took place at Centre Pastoral Saint Paul in Rwanda which was co‐organised by UCODIP and Duterimber Asbi with the support of the Loomba Foundation through Oxfam GB to mark the importance of International Widows Day in its 6thanniversary year which is
celebrated on 23rd June..
The Executive Secretary of Kigali City, who represented the Mayor of Kigali as Guest of Honour, attended this meeting along with the Director General of MFI, the Country Director of Oxfam GB and Programme Officer, the Executive Secretary of Duterimber Asbi and her staff and members of the UCODIP, amongst others.
23nd June 2010 : International Widows Day celebrated in 9 countries around the world
UK, London, 23rd June 2010: The Loomba Foundation, a global UN accredited NGO, held an evening reception in the Map Room at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, to mark the 6th anniversary of International Widows Day on 23rd June. The event was chaired by Mike Tobin, Chairman of the Friends of the Loomba Foundation and was attended by high profile Patrons and supporters of the Foundation’s work including Lord Blair, CBE, QPM, Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate OBE and Alastair Stewart OBE, to mention but a few.
Lord Dholakia of Waltham Brooks, OBE, DL, Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, spoke of the importance of the Loomba Foundation’s work and their campaign for the United Nations to recognise 23 June as International Widows Day. He mentioned that the Foundation had been organising events in many countries since International Widows Day was launched in 2005 to raise awareness of the plight of poor widows around the world. This year was no exception as the Foundation had organised events in London, Birmingham, New York, New Delhi, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Syria, Nairobi, Kigali and Johannesburg. Mike Tobin, Chairman of the ‘Friends of the Loomba Foundation’, spoke of his continued support of the important work of the Foundation. He also talked of the initiative ‘Friends of the Loomba Foundation’ which was set up to educate children in India. For as little as £100, it can provide a child with school fees, uniform, books, stationery, school lunches, nutritions and healthcare for one whole year.
The vote of thanks was given by Rinku Loomba, Trustee of the Loomba Foundation.
UK, Birmingham, 23rd June 2010: The Lord Mayor, Councillor Len Gregory marked the 6th International Widows Day on 23rd June, 2010 by releasing balloons outside the Town Hall in Birmingham at 12.30pm with local school children. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham was joined by Dr. Didar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of the Overseas Indian Affairs, the Rt. Hon. Khalid Mahmood MP, and the Counsellor General for India Mr. Rao.
The balloon releasing ceremony was followed by a lunch at Asha’s restaurant in Birmingham at which several high profile guests were present. The Lord Mayor gave a welcome speech and Dr. Didar Singh gave an address which was followed by a vote of thanks by Mr. Rao.
The Loomba Foundation’s Founder and Chairman Trustee Mr Raj Loomba CBE said that “he was delighted that Romi Kanungo had supported the Foundation by organising this event in Birmingham.”
India, New Delhi, 23rd June 2010: The Loomba Foundation held an evening function at the India Habitat Centre to mark the 6th anniversary of International Widows Day, which was attended by over 175 high profile guests, including several dignitaries. Mrs. Rinni Khanna, who was the compere for the function, presented flowers to all of the dignitaries followed by the lighting of the lamp.
The Chief Guest, Mrs. Oswal, a Trustee of the Loomba Foundation, spoke about the work of the Loomba Foundation and its focus against the discrimination of widows. She called upon the guests to assist this weaker and helpless part of society by caring for them, and in particular the education of their children.
Mr. Lalit Mansingh, a Trustee of the Loomba Foundation then spoke at length about the discrimination that is taking place against women, particularly widows, who through no fault of their own have lost their husband. He spoke about some of the reformers such as Mr. Ram Mohan Roy who had done some tremendous work on subjects such as remarriage of widows. He also showed a video message from an International Widows Conference held in 2006 in the UK, by the then Senator Hillary Clinton, who is now the current US Secretary of State, whose message is as strong today as it was then in support of the work of the Loomba Foundation.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Walia, delivered the keynote address and spoke at length about the issues widows face. This was followed by Mrs. Ravinder Kaur, a beneficiary of the Loomba Foundation, who talked about the support she had been given by them over the years and how grateful she was and what a difference it had made to her life.
This was followed by certificates and prize money being given to the first, second and third prize winners of an essay and drawing competition, which was entered by many of the children supported by the Loomba Foundation from the Delhi Primary School. Cash prizes of Rs200 for 1st prize, Rs1500 for 2nd prize and Rs100 for third prize were presented by the Chief Guest and the Trustees of the Loomba Foundation. A consolation prize of Rs1000 was also awarded.
Bangladesh, 23rd June 2010: In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Youth Enterprise Advice and Helpcentre (B’Yeah) organised an event which paid tribute to widows in the country, where they face daily challenges and adversities that come with a male dominated society and yet manage to support their 7 children and families on their own. Ten widows, two of whom are direct beneficiaries of the Loomba Foundation, were invited to take part in the event.
The B’Yeah organised session was led by a panel of prominent social workers with extensive experience working with distressed women in Bangladesh. One of the panellists, Ms. Tanjima Mazumdar, mentioned in her speech that although she had been working with distressed women for many years, no special focus had ever been given to widows who face multi‐faceted challenges in the society. Ms. Mazumdar thanked Mr. Raj Loomba and B’YEAH for highlighting the need to work especially with Bangladeshi widows and mentioned that she would from now on collaborate with B’YEAH to work with young widows.
Ms. Nasima Akhter Jolly delivered a very heart warming and encouraging speech which highlighted the options that young widows in Bangladesh have to make an honest and profitable living. B’Ye ah board member Mr. Murad encouraged the widows to work with them by drawing examples of the organisation’s existing Loomba Foundation beneficiaries and their success.
One of the Loomba Foundation’s Fund beneficiaries, Ms. Amena Begum, told participants how she thought she would have to beg on the streets to feed her children when her husband died a year ago. However, thanks to Mr. Loomba, today Ms. Begum not only runs a successful tailoring business from her home, but also employs four other struggling women in her community. B’Yeah awarded two of its Loomba Foundation beneficiaries with a cash prize and Ms. Begum with the ‘’B’Yeah Entrepreneur of the Year’ award.
Sri Lanka, 23rd June 2010: The fourth consecutive International Widows Day event in Sri Lanka was celebrated in Hambantota and organised by the Hambantota Youth Business Programme (HYBP), part of Youth Business Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Women Development Federation (WDF). The day consisted of a parade of women from WDF to Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce (HDCC), a release of balloons and pigeons at HDCC and a meeting at the Nimbarama Temple in Hambantota where plants were distributed among the 150 widows who participated.
Ms. Kumarini Wickramasooriya, Chairperson of Nawajeewana and Ms. Vidyani Hettigoda, Chairperson of the Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a member of the Youth Business Sri Lanka (YBSL) Trustee Board, participated as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
As a social responsibility and contribution to the economic development of the district, HDCC manages the Hambantota Youth Business Programme which is part of Youth Business Sri Lanka, an organisation which helps young people and members of female‐headed families who otherwise would not have the necessary resources to develop their self‐confidence and achieve economic.
independence through self employment. With support from the Loomba Foundation, Hambantota Youth Business Programme has provided financial and mentoring support to 48 underprivileged members of female‐headed families in order to start and develop activities to improve their livelihood.
Kenya, 23rd June 2010: The Kenya Youth Business Trust (KYBT) International Widows Day event focused on sharing personal experiences as widows, single mothers and children of widows, and overcoming challenges using available opportunities and resources. The widows in attendance were taught about their rights and how to stand up and fight for them using various government institutions, human rights organisations and the legal system and there was audience participation in the form of questions and debate on the various issues discussed.
Dave Muumbi, Kenya Youth Business Trust’s CEO gave a motivational talk and explained the relationship between YBI, KYBT and the Loomba Foundation. He challenged the guests in attendance to start contributing Kshs.100 (US$1.25) a month support the Foundation. The young entrepreneurs were also encouraged and challenged by Muumbi to take advantage of the various opportunities available at their disposal.
Guests in attendance were Loomba Foundation beneficiaries, friends of the beneficiaries and Sisters from a neighbouring catholic church. Speakers included widows Ruth Were and Florence Karue, who are involved in championing the rights of widow through raising awareness in the local media. Four media houses were invited to cover the occasion including Citizen Radio, Nation Media, Radio Africa and KTN.
Young entrepreneurs were interviewed by a local radio station, sharing their personal experiences since receiving loans from the Loomba Foundation and what differences they have made in their communities through their economic independence. Their stories captivated the interviewer so much that they were invited to participate in a Citizen Radio talk in the near future. The function ended with food gift bags to the Loomba Foundation’s beneficiaries to show continued support to them and encourage them to keep up the good fight.