When Every Minute Counts: A Mother’s Tears, A Child’s Hope

When Every Minute Counts: A Mother’s Tears, A Child’s Hope

When Every Minute Counts: A Mother’s Tears, A Child’s Hope

This morning 04th June 2025, around 10:30 a.m., we received a call from Inamdar Hospital. A young child was in urgent need of surgery. The operation was scheduled, the surgeon was ready — but the parents were not. They had exhausted every possible source, running from door to door, trying desperately to collect the required funds. They had managed to gather most of the amount… but were still short by ₹17,000.

And that shortfall was enough for the surgery to be put on hold.

At 12 noon, I asked the parents to come to us. I didn’t have that amount readily available in the Helping Hearts account — but I also knew that this was not a moment to wait. The child couldn’t afford the delay. So, trusting in the goodness of humanity and the promise of help that always finds its way, I handed them a cheque of ₹17,000.

The mother broke down as she took it from my hands. Her tears were of relief, of desperation momentarily lifted. By 1:30 p.m., the operation was done.

This is the heart of Helping Hearts.
We may not always have the means — but we always have the will. And when it comes to saving lives, even a risk is worth taking.

Nirmala’s Journey: A Story of Compassion and Change

Nirmala’s Journey: A Story of Compassion and Change

Nirmala’s Journey: A Story of Compassion and Change

Nirmala, a homeless woman living near the market, had a life marked by hardship. Despite her struggles and a heavy drinking habit, she had a heart full of love for animals. Nirmala dedicated herself to caring for the street dogs in her area, feeding them and ensuring they were safe.

Her family included a daughter who had completed her 12th grade and was married, living a stable life. Her son, Sunny, worked sporadically in the market, but the family struggled to make ends meet. Over time, Nirmala developed cataracts in both eyes, leaving her vision severely impaired.

Moved by her resilience and love for animals, Helping Hearts decided to step in and transform their lives. Under the guidance of our founder, Mrs. Shehla Naik, we took the following steps:

Employment for the family: Sunny and his wife, Hasina, were employed by Helping Hearts. Hasina now cooks food for dogs, while Sunny was provided with a rickshaw to help transport injured animals and feed street dogs in areas like Command Hospital Road, Convent Street, and Undri.

Medical aid: Nirmala underwent cataract surgery to restore her vision.

Dignified livelihood: A handcart was purchased for Nirmala, enabling her to earn a living with dignity instead of begging.

Our journey with this family is far from over. To ensure their sustainability and extend their ability to help animals, we aim to buy them a tempo soon.

If this story touches your heart and you wish to support Nirmala and her family, we warmly invite you to contribute. Your generosity will not only uplift their lives but also help us continue making a difference in the lives of animals and people in need.

Together, let’s make compassion a way of life.

Donate Now and Be a Part of This Journey!

Umair’s Road to Recovery After Hit and Run Accident

Umair’s Road to Recovery After Hit and Run Accident

Umair’s Road to Recovery After Hit and Run Accident

7-year-old Umair was walking to school one day when a rash car driver ran over his foot injuring him badly. The car driver having driven away, Umair was rushed to hospital by his father, Abdul Jaleel, a helper cum watchman in a housing society. The young boy had to undergo multiple surgeries to replace the tissue in his foot from other parts of his body. Unable to bear the expenses of his son’s treatment, Abdul Jaleel approached Helping Hearts and we were glad to help him with Rs. 35,000/- After the operations, Umair is now recuperating at home but undergoes painful and sedation-requiring dressing for his wounds. Fortunately, his leg will be healed completely and Umair will be able to walk normally again soon.

Overcoming COVID: Waseem’s Journey to Health

Overcoming COVID: Waseem’s Journey to Health

Overcoming COVID: Waseem’s Journey to Health

Corona Virus Patient
Waseem Memon used to sell jackets and tracks in Camp, Pune. However during lockdown he took to selling vegetables in Camp and soon got ill and was diagnosed with Covid-19. He was admitted to Critical Care Hospital. Having recovered, he needed Rs. 63,000/- for his release, but could arrange only Rs. 33,000/- Helping Hearts came to the rescue and arranged the remaining 30,000/-in a short time. Waseem was discharged and is now back selling vegetables.

Child with Hirschsprung Disease

Child with Hirschsprung Disease

Child with Hirschsprung Disease

Mustufa was afflicted with this rare disease in which missing nerve cells in the large intestine (colon) cause a large swelling and makes it difficult and painful to pass stool. This happens at birth and surgery is needed to bypass the affected part or remove it entirely. The cost of the surgery was estimated at Rs. 1,80,000/- which rose to Rs. 2,20,000/- Helping Hearts managed to collect this sum in about a week. Mustufa was operated upon successfully and is now recovering at home.
 
 

Injured Cat Rescued and Healed

Injured Cat Rescued and Healed

Injured Cat Rescued and Healed

Helping Hearts does not restrict its activities to human beings; we try to do our best for our animal friends too. Some time in…October 2020, we were informed about a severely injured cat by a kind man, Mr. Sadiq Dastagir, in Camp, Pune……We sent our volunteers, Retam and Rishi, to find the cat, which had disappeared. About 10 days later it resurfaced and was caught after nearly an hour’s struggle around midnight. The cat had a horrible wound in its foreleg which was festering with maggots and gangrene. Dr. Tulpule, a well-known vet decided immediately that amputation was the only solution and proceeded with it without wasting any time. The cat is now hale and hearty, albeit one leg less, and is back in it’s original location where his other siblings live.

Helping Hearts funded the entire surgery as well as provided the cat rescue equipment.

The Journey of a Brave Little Pup

The Journey of a Brave Little Pup

The Journey of a Brave Little Pup

This pup was reported by Krrish to Roshan. It had a bad wounded leg and crushed bone, and it was hiding under a car in Salisbury park. The two boys rushed him to Dr Tulpule in Salunkhe Vihar who administered first aid and bandaged his leg.

Pup was kept under observation but at the same location with his mom and other siblings. Ishika and Rishi our volunteers helped in daily visits to the vet for bandaging and administering medicines to him for about a week. Unfortunately the wound did not heal and started to rot instead.
The vet then suggested amputation of the leg. After amputation it was with a foster for about 20 days till recovery. During the fostering period by Anshu, Yash, Akshat, and Riya from the Pooch Project helped in following up and daily dressing of Crazy Coffee.

The pup is completely alright now. It got adopted but is back as the adopters cannot manage it. It has adapted to his physical disability and is like any other puppy, but requires a little extra love! We are looking for a nice loving family who will give their love and time to Coffee Crazy.

Shehzad’s New Beginning: From Tragedy to Self-Reliance

Shehzad’s New Beginning: From Tragedy to Self-Reliance

Shehzad’s New Beginning: From Tragedy to Self-Reliance

Shehzad Abdul Karim Shaikh was a watchman working day and night shifts and making just enough to feed his family of In…… he suffered a terrible train accident in which he lost both his legs, rendering him unable to continue in his job or do anything that required mobility. Undeterred, he approached Helping Hearts with a proposal to start a small business selling household things such as foodstuff, soap, plastic bags, etc. near his house. Finding his circumstances and his proposal worthy of support, Helping Hearts helped him with the initial capital to launch his business. Today, Shehzad is doing very well, having added to his stock and his capital, and taking care of his family himself.

Sharda’s Story — A Roof Over Her Head

Sharda’s Story — A Roof Over Her Head

Sharda’s Story — A Roof Over Her Head

Sharda Indrol lives in Panchshil Nagar, Ghorpadi. She runs a small shop from her home, selling items priced between ₹1 and ₹20, while her husband drives a rickshaw to make ends meet.

One of the walls in their house was badly damaged — ready to collapse at any moment. They lived in fear, with no way to afford repairs.

That’s when Helping Hearts stepped in.
Thanks to your kind donations, ₹80,000 was raised to rebuild the broken wall and strengthen the rest of the house.

With your generous support, the work is now complete.
Sharda and her family now have a safe roof over their heads — and a renewed sense of security and dignity.

Providing a roof over someone’s head is a is a noble deed.❤️