Description: This is
a VOA Special English Technology Report.
See text below
Text:
In two thousand five, Tanya Pinto was a successful
young businesswoman in Dallas, Texas. But she
decided to take three months off from work at an
advertising company to visit her birthplace, India.
She volunteered at Mother Teresa's home for orphans
in Kolkata. She also traveled, and saw children in
great need. Mizz Pinto said that experience changed
her life. And that is why she decided to start an
aid organization. She returned to her job in Texas
and began Baal Dan Charities. In Hindi, the name
means "child donation."
India has an estimated eighteen million poor
children. Some charity workers say the conditions on
the streets are, if anything, worse than those shown
in the film "Slumdog Millionaire." Many children
depend on international charity projects like Baal
Dan.
At first, Baal Dan provided street children with
clothes. Today, the organization gives money to
orphanages, schools and local projects. The money
provides food, medicine, schoolbooks and some
education. The work is centered in Kolkata,
Hyderabad and Kerala province.
Tanya Pinto started her project with small donations
from friends and co-workers. She said she would pass
them in the hallway and they would say, Hey, the
next time you go back to India, here is twenty
dollars, here is fifty dollars, here is ten dollars
for the children."
Today, Baal Dan has other financial supporters in
the United States. People organize events to raise
money. A restaurant in Dallas donates money whenever
anyone orders "Tacos for a Cause."
In the next several years, Tanya Pinto hopes to
begin sponsoring an orphanage, a home for children
who have no parents. She visits India as often as
she can while working full-time at the advertising
company. Her last trip was in May.
She said she takes the children to the zoo or the
park and likes to bring some fun into their lives.
She talked about a trip when she visited a care
center operated by a local group that her charity
has helped. Two boys recognized her. They had met
her at a shelter at a railway station the year
before. The children, she says, were rescued from
the streets and were doing well.
Tanya Pinto says you do not have to be wealthy or
well known to help others.
And thats the VOA Special English Development
Report. You can find transcripts and podcasts of our
reports at voaspecialenglish.com.
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