*** UPDATES ***
Status of our fundraising drive for charity: water
Launch date: 2010
Amount raised: $140,875 = 49 Water Projects
Status of these 49 water projects (scroll down the page to see photos of completed projects):
- #1: First water project, funded by Raj, prior to his passing in March 2010. A water tower in Orissa, India completed in March 2011.
- #2-8: 7 rehabilitated wells in West Bengal, India completed May 2012
- #9-13: 5 rehabilitated wells in Bengal, India completed November 2012
- #14: 1 rehabilitated well in Uttar Pradesh, India completed April 2013
- #15: 1 drilled well in Bihar, India completed April 2013
- #16-18: 3 rehabilitated wells completed February 2014
- #19-20: 2 hand-dug wells completed March 2014
- #21-22: 2 hand-dug wells completed March 2015
- #23-24: 2 manually drilled wells completed November 2015
- #25-26: 2 manually drilled wells completed August 2017
- #27-41: 15 taankas in the Thar Desert completed March 2019
- #42-49: 8 taankas in the Thar Desert- under construction
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Updates
November 2010
A Memorial Tree was planted for Raj at the County Park in Glen Rock, NJ. Raj spent time here during his childhood and as an adult he often took walks here with his mother. This was a special place to Raj and his family. A portion of his ashes were immersed in the river running through this park.
*After Raj's mom passed away in April 2013, we planted a tree for her, at her request, right next to Raj's tree.
Raj's tree in the forefront with bright pink flowers, Ratna's tree behind with light pink flowers
January 2011
Raj had made a monetary donation to charity: water in March of 2010 prior to his passing and requested that a water project be built in his name. These funds were allocated to the construction of a water tower in Orissa, India. We have just heard from charity: water that the water tower is complete! Thanks to charity: water and to Raj, a village in India now has access to clean and safe water.
March 2011
We have received our first photo from charity: water of the water project Raj funded back in March 2010. The water tower, built in a village in India, was completed in January 2011. If you look closely, you can see Raj's name written in script in the "financed by" section.
State/Country: Orissa, India
Region/District: Gajapati
Village name: Regidisingh
Population Served: 269
Monument at Water Project Site
Close up View of Plaque- Click to Enlarge
Location of water tower
Satellite view of the village of Regidising
April 2011
Raj's birthday was April 6th. He would have turned 32. To honor this day we launched a charity: water fundraising drive to build one additional well for his birthday. We are excited to share with you that we exceeded our goal and raised enough money to build not one, but two water projects! Thanks to all who donated. Happy Birthday Raj...
July 2011
Over the summer, Raj's nephew Rohan volunteered for a day at charity: water in New York City. Rohan spent the day doing research and received community service credits for school. That evening, Rohan's sister Talia joined in too and helped to stuff envelopes!
October 2011
The following photo and message was recently posted on Raj's Facebook page:
"A picture from charity: water's work in India. We're so grateful for the generous contributions of Raj, his friends and family"
- Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water
April 2012
Raj's birthday was April 6th. He would have turned 33. Every year on his birthday we try to raise money for at least one water project for charity: water. This year, through multiple donations, many of which were for $33, we raised $15,710! That is enough for 3 new water projects! Thanks to all who donated. Happy Birthday Raj...
April 2012
One of Raj's closest and dearest family members was his cousin Anil. They grew up together and were inseparable throughout their childhoods. Anil's wife Rachel, who became very close to Raj over the years, is running a marathon this year and is dedicating her run to Raj. This is the letter she recently sent out:
Dear Friends and Family,
Through much encouragement, I’ve officially kicked off training for my first marathon, the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC on October 28th, 2012. After many conversations with avid running friends, one thing I’ve learned is that each runner has their own motivation to run 26.2 miles. My motivation is a beloved cousin and friend, Raj Shahani.
Raj shared his life through his love for music, travel, tea, yoga and charity. Everyone he met was pulled into his gravitational force and I was no different. April 6th would have been Raj's 33rd birthday and to celebrate his life, I dedicate this marathon in his memory.
Over the course of the next six months, my goal is to raise $3,300 for Charity Water, a nonprofit organization that was close to Raj’s heart. My goal of $3,300 is a constant motivation and reminder that Raj is present in spirit. I ask you to go the distance with me and make a donation to Charity Water in support of this endeavor and in memory of Raj.
I look forward updating you on my marathon training. Many thanks for your love, support and helping motivate me through your donations.
Love,
Rachel
May 2012
Thanks to those who made donations to charity: water in November and December 2010, we are thrilled to let you know that your contribution has come to fruition. Please see below for photos of 7 completed water projects, located in villages in West Bengal, India. All projects were constructed by charity: water's implementing partner, Water for People. Please note that it takes approximately 20 months from the time you donate to see your completed project.
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Madhunia Kalitala Village, India
Madhunia Kalitala villagers were accustomed to walking two hours to gather dirty water. This tubewell now provides 125 people with clean and safe water that results in healthier and more productive lives.
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Kaylapara 3 Village, India
Before this water tube was repaired, the 275 villagers of Kaylapara 3 did not have dependable access to clean water. Now this community has clean water again and has started a user committee to look after the maintenance of this tube well on a regular basis.
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Kamdevnagar 1 Village, India
Before this water project was repaired, the 250 community members of Kamdevnagar 1 did not have access to clean water. Since installation, they have started a water committee and begun implementing hygiene education. The community is thrilled to have clean water again.
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Andulia - 1 Village, India
Before this water project was repaired, the 200 community members of Andulia - 1 did not have access to clean water. Since installation, they have started a water committee and begun implementing hygiene education. The community is thrilled to have clean water again.
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Dakshin Roypur - 2 Village, India
Before this water project was repaired, the 240 community members of Dakshin Roypur - 2 did not have access to clean water. Since installation, they have started a water committee and begun implementing hygiene education. The community is thrilled to have clean water again.
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Jamkuri 9 Village, India
Prior to intervention most of the tube well was not operating properly and water contamination issues were present due to stagnation of runoff at the base. The hand pump is operating well now and community members say it feels good to collect drinking water from a clean place.
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Dakshin Gopal Nagar 1 Village, India
Plaque text: In Memory of Rajesh J. Shahani
Rehabilitation, 250 beneficiaries
GPS: 21.797, 88.31244
Before this project was rehabilitated, the 250 villagers of Dakshin Gopal Nagar 1 did not have access to clean water. Since the repair, they have started a water committee to look after the maintenance of the tube well on a regular basis. The community is thrilled to have clean water.
December 2012
Raj's cousin, Rachel Bhatia, ran the Marine Corp Marathon on October 28, 2012. She completed the 26.2 miles in 4 hours 58 minutes. Through her fundraising efforts, Rachel raised $6,121, enough for a full water project to be built in memory of Raj. We are so proud of you Rachel!
November 2012
Thanks to the donations made to charity: water from December 2010 through March 2011, five more water projects were completed in November 2012. See below for photos and details of these 5 tube wells, our 9th-13th completed projects.
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April 2013
Thanks to the donations made to charity: water in March and April 2011, two more water projects were funded. Our 14th and 15th projects were completed in April 2013.
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Majhalwara
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Pardesiya
February 2014
Thanks to the donations received between March 2011 and April 2012, our 16th, 17th and 18th water projects were funded. Construction was completed in February 2014 on these 3 hand-dug wells.
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Mohala 3
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Mohala 4
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Mohala 5
March 2014
Thanks to all the donations made to charity: water between April and November 2012, two hand dug wells were funded. Construction on our 19th and 20th water projects was completed in March 2014.
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Rajma Kothia
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Madhopur Anant
March 2015
Thanks to all the donations made to charity: water between Oct 2012 and April 2013, our 21st water project was funded. This was a milestone for us because we reached $100,000 in donations! Construction on this hand dug well was was completed in March 2015.
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Briyarpur
Briyarpur
March 2015
Raj's mother passed away from cancer in April 2013. We decided that all water projects funded after that date will be in memory of both Raj and his mother Ratna. Thanks to all the donations made to charity: water between April 2013 and August 2014, our 22nd hand dug well was funded. Construction of this well was completed in March 2015 and is our first water project in memory of Rajesh and Ratna Shahani.
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November 2015
Our amazing and beautiful aunt, Sarla Malani, so kindly held a handicraft fair at her home in Nov 2015 in order to raise money for charity: water. She hand made most of the items and with the help of her friends and family, she raised a little over $3,000 in that one day! Inclusive of all the fundraising she has done before and after her event, Sarla has come close to raising enough money for a full water project, which is equivalent to $6,000. Sarla Aunty we are so grateful to you and so inspired by what you have accomplished!
Sarla Malani
April 2016
Thanks to all the donations made to charity: water in 2014, our 23rd and 24th water projects were funded. Construction on these two manually drilled wells was completed in November 2015.
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Baradapur 4
Baradapur 4
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Baradapur 5
August 2017
Thanks to the many donations made to charity: water, our 25th and 26th water projects were funded. Construction on these two manually drilled wells was completed in August 2017. Raj's family visited Banashyamnagar in Feb 2019 and had the opportunity to meet the community and see this well in person. A truly memorable experience!
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Dakshin Raypur
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Banashyamnagar
Shahani visit to Banashyamnagar in Feb 2019
March 2019
15 Taankas were built in the Thar Desert in India. The Thar Desert is a large expanse of land in the Indian state of Rajasthan that experiences extreme weather conditions. In 2016, they recorded the highest temperature in India's history at 123 degrees Faranheit. To survive, the people have had to pay high fees to have water trucked into the community and stored in open pits in the ground. This solution was prone to water loss and contamination and the financial cost a strain for these families. Due to your donations, the construction of 15 Taankas was completed in March 2019, serving 92 people. A taanka is an underground holding tank surrounded by large sloped catchments to maximize the collection of rain water for year round use. This is a traditional rainwater harvesting technique meant to provide drinking water to one family or a small group of families in a community. Not only do taankas provide clean and safe drinking water to those in dire need, but they can save families up to 35% of their annual income. Below is a photo of one of the completed taankas.
