This year marks an important milestone in the history of the SHIS. We have completed 25 years of delivering on a promise to improve lives and create opportunity. It is also a year in which we will see a change in our approach towards the unreached people. Over decades the Southern Health Improvement Samity have taken on enduring problems that require sustained effort and resolve challenges
such as poverty reduction, better health care measures, expansion of educational opportunity and empowerment. Continuity of purpose in these areas is the hallmark of SHIS’s work, and we invite you to trace this journey, illustrated in this Annual Report.

As the world enters a period of rising concern about climate change and energy issues, generous help from the well-wishers in the form of individuals like Dominique Didi and Dada, Dr. Tobias Schuth, Dr. Joachim Hacker, Dr. Zeacoumar Chanemougame, Dr. Helgo Mayer Hamme, Mr. Hans Escher, Mr. Xander Van Meerwijk and Mr. Dick Grace and in form of organisation like AFDDW of Germany, SARI of France, Sight Savers International of U.K., KOPION of South Korea, etc. in our steady work for a better world. Actually, the activities that we have undertaken are in a real way to address health, education and empowerment challenges. In 2006 - 2007, the efforts of bettering the basic health care measures and reaching out the unreached people will only be possible from the kind help from well-wishers who have supported work that are genuinely helping to save and improve lives now – through providing basic health care measures, clean water for communities, empowerment of women, education for underprivileged children and sanitation. Lives are being changed for the better for low-income families through Micro Credit which empower them to move out of poverty.

We specially thank Brother Gaston Dada for his continuous socio spiritual support for SHIS’s work – which is our common response to the serious challenges that face our brothers and sisters, while recognizing that every small step can take us to a better direction.

We want to express our gratitude to Dominique Didi and Dada, who have contributed large amount of their precious time of life for the people of Sunderbans. Dominique Didi and Dada brought to the samity a deep understanding of values, invaluable insights on responding to crisis around the world and steadfast commitment to the goal of philanthropy to improve the lives. I am thankful for his wise counsel and tireless devotion to the work of our beneficiaries.

Though SHIS has not been able to reach each and every geographically challenged areas, but the numbers of people reached are actually becoming larger and larger – and we hope to generate positive energy which is equally significant.

The contributions and encouragement from Dr. Tobias Schuth, Dr. Zeacoumar Chanemougame, Dr. Joachim Hacker, Dr. Helgo Mayer Hamme, Mr. Hans Escher, Mr. Xander Van Meerwijk, Mr. Dick Grace, etc. including Government of India, Government of West Bengal, are inspiriting every bit of our continuing social approach and we are so grateful for their continuing involvement and support, which we can’t simply express by writing few words.

M. A. Wohab
Director