"I have seen expressions of joy, sorrow, anguish and agony in children, where one can see the hope in their eyes but sometimes despair and frustration too. These compelling sights prompted me to lend them a hand so that they could see a better tomorrow."

As a child, Mahendra Mehta's mother encouraged him to give his first earnings to the less fortunate. Throughout his lifetime, he has continued to follow his mother's wise words. Two decades ago,Mehta began the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust with capital from his own family fund. He is also the trustee of Project Mainstream, Hamara Foundation and Help Handicapped International. Mehta's programs include surgery for polio victims, cleft lip surgery, education programs, small business training including micro credit facilities, book distribution and garment distribution for children. With support from the European Commission, Mehta organized a soup kitchen for street children in India. These children receive a free meal for attending school or education centers regularly or placing their wages into savings accounts. Through the Business Skill and Development Project, children are taught business basics and vocational work. After graduating from the program, children are aided in finding suitable placements in the work force, or provided with a loan to start a small business. Mehta's Hospital on Wheels travels to remote villages, providing health care to children and families. Health programs sponsored by Help Handicapped International provide prosthetics for child victims of land mines and wars in Kenya, Sudan, Burundi, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. For more information, please contact Mehta at promain@vsnl.net or mgmehta@rediffmail.com.

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