This Gift Box Project marks the successful completion of our 13 th drive in over six years. Every year our numbers and our ability to make a positive difference has improved dramatically. However, the challenges we face have also been immense – to the extent that the 12 th drive was so difficult that for the first time, we did not even have the heart to share about it. This is not to say that it was not successful, it certainly was because we reached close to 400 beneficiaries, but a software glitch caused a mismatch between names and
addresses causing several packages to be returned. We were able to rectify the problem and resend the packages, but it turned out to be tremendously time-consuming and stressful.

So, we began this drive almost 6 months in advance with an aim to complete all our ground work well in time – we learnt as much as we could about the software which caused trouble the previous time and ensured that it wouldn’t be repeated. We ensured that all the PIN
codes and became fully compliant with requirements of the Postal Service.

The number of beneficiaries has increased to 416, which is unprecedented. As always, all our beneficiaries are struggling for survival due to paralysis and their families are severely burdened as their combined monthly income is less than ₹ 5000.
The two major highlights of this year’s Gift Box Drive are the purchase of rechargeable LED emergency lights and wheelchair bags for all our beneficiaries.
Last year, one of our beneficiaries called me to say that he was forced to have emergency surgery because he was lying on a ground mat and his bedsore was eaten into by rats. He does not have sensation in the lower half of his body and there was no electricity in his home.
His story was extremely traumatising and I felt I had to do something – the result was the LED light. Now at least they can switch it on whenever required – it is portable, rechargeable and extremely bright. Despite costing nearly ₹ 300 each we felt that it was a worthwhile addition to the gift box.

This year’s highlight is the addition of a specially made Soulfree Wheelchair Bag. It can carry around 10 kg easily and is very spacious to ensure that all the requirements for a daytrip can be packed into it.

As usual we have many key people to whom free need to express our deepest gratitude. This drive was sponsored by Value Labs who have extended their unflinching support to Soulfree from the beginning.
Special thanks due to Mr. T. Suresh of Himalaya Drug Company and Franco Indian for supporting Soulfree by sponsoring preventive medicines.

Every year, one of our biggest challenges has been to find committed volunteers, but this year we have been extremely lucky to become associated with My First School. This exceptional school not only provides a holistic curriculum but also gives equal importance to community service projects as well. So, they sent as many as 45 of their enthusiastic students over the period of close to a week to ensure that the packaging was completed in a timely as well as efficient manner. We extend our deepest gratitude to the owner of MFS Mr
Raja, Principal Devi, the teachers and all the students who have all been incredibly enthusiastic and helpful.

Also, we would be remiss if we do not thank our senior volunteers Ms. Deepa, Mr Vignesh, Suraj, Sivagurunathan, Balaji MU, Shakthi MU and Ms. Gayathri Santosh for doing all the ground work.

Every year we face challenges that make us doubt our fundamental reasons for taking on such a difficult project, but it is the joy, hope and sense of self-worth that our gifts evoke in our beneficiaries that keeps us from giving up. We are grateful to each of them for giving us this opportunity to serve. And, the blessings of our well-wishers mean more to us than we can express with words, so I conclude this note with an attitude of gratitude and hope that we will be able to serve more and more people in the future.

Soulfree wishes you all A Happy Festive Season! May we all keep spreading the light of love, laughter and joy to everyone around us!