Posted by Joy Miksic on Sep 08, 2015
The Collegeville Rotary Club will be hosting a very special presenter at our meeting on September 9, 2015.  Please join us to hear Kameswar “Rao” Kancherla explain numerous effective social projects he has been doing in India over the last 10+ years.  He is an expert ! on how far a dollar can be stretched by having a thorough understanding of the local needs and implementing the project first hand.
Meeting Location:  Moorehead Catering, 40 E. First Avenue, Trappe, PA
Meeting Time:  Wednesday September 9, 2015;  6:15 PM to 8 PM.
Dinner starts at 6:15 PM
If you need additional information, please call  Ravi Kurumety (484-467-8823) or Mary Cook (484-994-9508)
 
After retiring in 2004, Rao found his calling, as he split his time between the US and India.  While in India, he spent much of his time interacting closely with the local organizations in poor communities near his home town.  Through this, he was able to identify several focus areas where he could make a lasting contribution.   In India, he developed a strategy that has a broad impact on the community.  He created programs to educate the young, provide vocational training for the unskilled women from the slums, provide reading/job search resources to the young adults, provide health screenings and feed the poor.  Several thousand people have felt a measurable impact on their lives through his efforts.
 
About Rao Kancherla….
 
Philanthropy started at a young age for Rao.  Right after finishing high school at age 17, he left home and joined a charitable organization to serve his country.  His role was to sell religious books door to door to raise money.   One day, a gentleman engaged him in an insightful conversation and said “You seem to be an intelligent person belonging to an educated family, if you want to serve your country, you can increase the value of contribution by finishing your education first”.  This really struck a chord with Rao.  Within two weeks, he was registered in a top notch college in a Civil Engineering program.
 
After completing his Bachelor’s degree, he immigrated to the US in 1971 with $20 in his pocket and a degree in his hand to seek better opportunities for himself and his family.  He worked as a Civil Engineer for over 30 years. During this time, he completed his MBA degree and also served as a Rotarian for over 15 years.

After retiring in 2004, he found his real calling.  He was splitting his time between US and India to do social work.  His eyes opened to innumerable opportunities to help those in need.  While in India, he spent much of his time interacting closely with the local Rotary clubs, Inner Wheels, Orphanages, Senior Citizen Clubs, Elderly homes, as well as spending time in the poorer communities near his home town.  Through this, he was able to identify several focus areas where he could make a lasting contribution.  While in the US, he used his time to develop programs and raise money from his own assets as well as his siblings and their off-spring.
 
When he returned to India in the winters, he implemented his plans.  Over the 10+ years, he developed a strategy that has a broad impact on the community at large.  He created programs to educate the young, provide vocational training for the unskilled women from the slums, provide reading/job search resources to the young adults, provide health screenings and ways to feed the poor.  There have been several thousand people who have had a measurable impact on their lives through his efforts.
 
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