Helping hands

"Lives Can be Changed” is the title of the illustrated brochure of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) Trust highlighting the multifarious activities as of March 31, 2015 of the "three arms united” in fighting poverty – WZO Trust, WZO Trust for Women and Children and the WZO Trust Funds which were established in 1991, 1993 and 1995 respectively. A copy of the brochure, which was sponsored by a generous donor, was sent to Parsiana by Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the WZO Trust.

Dinshaw Tamboly (left) with Yazdi Kasad

The four-pronged "attack against poverty” includes the rehabilitation of farmers, rural housing, self-employment/microcredit and educational support and youth activities, the brochure states. When applications for help are received, WZO Trust volunteers visit the families to assess living conditions. The family is then matched to the program most suited to their needs, after which funds are raised and support provided. The family has to work to become a self-sustaining unit and regular follow-ups are conducted to ensure that the funds are being used judiciously. Emotional support is also provided, in addition to guidance and mentoring.
Medical assistance is made available from funds received from donors and on an average the WZO Trust caters to about 350 appeals annually, disbursing about Rs 2.25 crores. The brochure acknowledges that the trustees of the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of Hong Kong Canton and Macao, and Radiant Light Charity are by far the most generous donors for medical relief. Funds are also raised to support 300 individuals on a lump sum basis and look after 415 families that are economically or physically challenged.
Additionally, the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Senior Citizens Centre and Dolat and Hormusji Vandrewala Senior Citizens Centre in Navsari house seniors of the community who live there in happy surroundings with self-respect and dignity. At Sanjan the Bai Maneckbai P. B. Jeejeebhoy Sanatorium provides comfortable rooms and food in a palatial bungalow with a large garden for use by Zoroastrians at very reasonable charges. Twelve apartment buildings have been constructed at Navsari to provide economic housing, and the 13th is under construction. The WZO Trust also works for the welfare of priests and has partnered with the Jiyo Parsi scheme sponsored by the Government of India to increase the numbers of Parsis.
Taking care of these welfare activities are trustees Tamboly and his wife Bachi along with Farokh Kasad and Farzana Mojgani.