A socially responsible organization in the socio economic development of Eastern Africa.
The OPG Educational Social Responsibility Initiative
In 2011, whilst aspiring pharmacy students on ‘ground zero’ were wondering who will help them ‘till their path to graduation’, unbeknown to them, Oshwal Pharmacists were working on an interesting initiative. This called for selfless voluntary contributions into a pool (OPG Fund), with a sole view to helping aspiring wananchi students to study pharmacy at a recognised Kenyan university. One eligibility criteria (besides the usual academic entry certification) was that the OPG Fund would be keener to support needy students from poorer sections of the Kenyan community.
HELB would be and is part of the process. As far as possible, there would be gender balance. The collected OPG Fund would be managed by Oshwal Aid under the Oshwal Education & Relief Board (OERB). Students would receive scholarships each year for the 4 or 5 years course. So far, OPG has supported 6 pharmacy students of whom Dr Olima and Dr Muthini are the first two graduates from the 4 year degree course. The other4 students include 3 ladies and one gentleman – all now in 5 year degree courses. Thus, we will see another 2 graduates in Pharmacy in late 2017 (Ms Jael Morangi Ongeri at KU, and Ms Lilian Akinyi Oyuer at UoN) and 2 more in late 2018 (Mr Evans Onyango Okew and Ms Wangulu Sharon Nambi). More pharmacy OPG graduates should follow in years to come.
This article also records special appreciation to all donors. Because through their support, pharmacy education
particular order, are: Kenya OPG donors: Dr Kanti V Shah (Seropharm), Dr Rajnikant C.Shah (Bakpharm), Dr Chandu K Shah (ex Chair PSK) & Mrs Nalini Shah (Statim), Dr Mrs Bharti Bimal Shah, Dr Asvin Haria (Harleys), Dr Sunil V Shah (Ivee), Dr Dhirendra V Shah (Biodeal), Mr Raju Dhanani (Nairobi Enterprises), Dr Satish D Shah (Eslon), Dr Pradip H Shah (Timber Corner), Dr Mrs Jaysri Kirit Shah, Late Shailesh H Shah family (ex Rup Pharm), Dr Ashok Shah (Kentons), Dr Harshvadan & Dr Mrs Rekha H Maroo, late Dr Pravin K Shah (Shah Chemist), Dr Mrs Hardika M. Shah, Dr Mahendra M.D. Shah (Nairobi Pharmaceuticals), Phillips Healthcare Services Ltd, Pharma Specialities Ltd, Abacus Pharma Africa Ltd, Phillips Pharmaceuticals Limited. UK OPG donors (all ex Kenya) : Dr Dhirajlal K Shah (special thanks to him for his sterling efforts in the UK for OPG), Dr Bharat L. Shah (ex Chair PSK), Dr Rajnikant Hirji Maya Shah, Mr Rajesh Zaverchand Shah (UK Pharmacist), Mr Kishore Lalji Shah (UK Pharmacist), Mr Hemal Dilip Shah (UK Pharmacist), Shilan Bid (UK Pharmacist) & Lopa Bid, Pratik & Nital Shah, Sobhag Narshi Bhoja Shah (ex Murang’a).
Finally, OPG Fund helped the Oshwal Doctors to set up an Oshwal Medical Group (OMG) Fund to help wananchi medical students (three were on board in 2014/15) and plans are in the pipeline to boost the Oshwal Dental Group (ODG) Fund for wananchi dental students. No doubt, the OPG, OMG and ODG initiatives received some inspiration from Eldon Tanner’s words: “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth” .
By Dr Harshvadan V Maroo, FPSK, FRPharmS