My good friend Balan and I came up with a plan to distribute an everyday staple that families need; 25 kilogram bags of rice. Balan has focused on the villages around where he lives in Mamallapuram by contacting village leaders and asking them to give names of families who have the most need.
These are mostly agrarian families who live day to day earning their living by working in the fields for their daily needs. With a full lockdown in place, they are unable to work and are going hungry.
We are targeting only the neediest of the needy, those who are truly hungry in this awful time.
We made the decision to donate 25kg rice bags because rice is the central staple of the Indian diet and can easily feed a family for up to 3 weeks.
Our Plan:
Balan has purchased 1,800 25kgs rice bags on 5/24 with the 2nd wire payment of $19,097. He has been in contact with village leaders around Mamallapuram compiling lists of families with the most need.
Currently, no one is allowed to leave their homes with police enforcing stay at home orders.
On Tuesday, June 1st, he will distribute the bags of rice at 10 local points making it easier for families to come to collect the rice. These points will be at Balan's home as well as the homes of his friends and local leaders. (We will send a newsletter with pictures of the 2nd round of donations next week).
For those who are not able to come themselves they will be making bicycle deliveries directly to their home.
June 2- June 10th Balan has been going to local villages and distributing bags of rice.
What Is Still Needed:
On Friday, June 11th we will be making our final wire to India to pay for the rice. If you are planning to give now is the time.
Please give knowing that 100% of every dollar you give goes to buying rice in South India. Together we can help and make a difference in people's lives.
Meet the families who will directly benefit from your generous donation...
Ansari and Gunsar are a Muslim couple from the village of Karumarappakkam. They have two sons, Kalisa and John Pasha.
Ansari buys and sells scrap metal. He earns between 400 and 500 rupees a day. Similarly, their eldest son, Kalisa, walks to the villages around his home every day selling samosas. He makes 50 to 100 rupees a day.
The second son, John Pasha, was born with cerebral palsy and hand and foot deformities at birth. He is 14 years old. With the coronavirus curfew, the father and brother are unable to move around and thus cannot earn an income even to feed themselves. They have been living off of charity alone and will continue to do so until the curfew is lifted.
Kumar and Chathanthi are a couple also from Karumarapakkam village. They have two sons, Johnson and Ruben. Both of their sons have down syndrome.

Kumar and Chathanthi work in the fields and earn 100 to 200 rupees daily. They use this income to feed their sons, for medical expenses, and for essential items including rice, sugar, cooking oil, and kerosene at the ration shop in the village. In the current situation, they are unable to feed their children and take them to the hospital without any money coming in. They too are relying on charity and desperately waiting for the curfew to be lifted.
I always say to our customers; The sculpture chooses you, you do not choose the sculpture.
You just know when you find the right piece to bring into your home and into your heart.
- Kyle Tortora, Founder of Lotus Sculpture
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