NGO Meet Becomes a Fulcrum of Mutual Help

 

“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.”  --Helen Keller

 

There are numerous social causes which would remain otherwise ignored if it were not for the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) contributing to the cause. January 6th, Saturday saw the coming together of 25-30 NGOs to provide a single platform for mutual help and support. It was organised by the founder trustee of Karmayog – Vinay Somani to discuss strategic planning for social and civic causes.   

 

 

 

A Buffet of Purposes: Maybe You're Lost, Maybe You Aren’t. Maybe You’re Meandering with Meaning

 

 

Whether it is raising funds, strategy planning, content writing, or volunteering; there are numerous ways by which people can contribute to the welfare of an NGO. 

 

Dr Dhyanraj Patkar, whose Narmada Kidney Foundation works to create awareness about kidney disease said that 6100 people were on the wait list for a kidney transplant in 2023 in Maharashtra but there were only 140 cadaver donations during the year. “Out of the overall kidney donations, cadaver donations formed only 20%,” said Patkar.   

 

Representatives of approximately 25 different NGOs gathered together at the CCI (Cricket Club of India) to not only network with one another but to create a shared network of resources which can be accessed by all. 

 

Following is what some of the participants had to say:

 

“Every educated youth struggles to get a lucrative job, but jobs are limited while there are unlimited untapped work opportunities available for everyone,” says Founder of Companion Global – Harish Chawla.

 

Issues Faced by NGOs

 

Funds thin since COVID-19

 

Many of the organisations claimed that funding was a perpetual and constant problem. Sona Kumar, whose trust works with children in Anand Nagar slum, helps the children with school tutorials and extracurricular activities, working with women in self-help groups which worked in Mumbai’s slum areas.  The group, which helps school children from underprivileged families to participate in inter-school and state-level sports competitions admitted that it was becoming increasingly difficult to purchase fresh sports shoes for the children. 

 

One of the ways, in which Rajendra Agarwal – the former district governor of Rotary International said that one way could increase their visibility and funding prospects was by inviting prospective donors that NGOs can increase their visibility and funding prospects is by inviting prospective donors to their premises and introducing them to their work.

 

Shortage of Volunteers

 

Lack of funding is not the only hurdle for these NGOs. The shortage of volunteers and experts was also a stumbling block in their work. A shortage of volunteers and experts was another issue which needed to be dealt with. Trustee of Kshitij - a sheltered workplace for developmentally challenged adults and Forum for Autism, Beena Modak requires more social workers for a new centre that they are planning to set up.

 

The Children Toy Foundation takes its mobile toy vans to over 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 14 and said that besides providing children access to toys and games, they also help identify children who are not attending schools.  Vandana Sonawane who works with the group claimed that the organisation required more volunteers. 

 

Lack of Surveys and their ill effects

 

Lacking surveys means that potential beneficiaries of Government welfare schemes do not get to access the benefits. Anu Oza, representing Khaana Chahiye – an NGO which was started during the pandemic and aims to eradicate hunger in Mumbai, helping women in self-help groups which work in Mumbai slums where there is a shortage of food claimed that there were plenty of Government food schemes. 

 

She said that while there were plenty of government food schemes many residents of slums especially all those who have recently migrated from rural areas find it very difficult to access free or subsidised food. 

 

Another NGO present that works for empowering people through education and skill training is DBM India and as Paramjeet Singh has vehemently added, “We believe people can be moved out if hunger and poverty permanently only by empowering them.

 

Other issues are also of dire importance as highlighted by Ramita from GORWA (Goregaon Welfare Association).  “We have worked towards removing hawkers, getting roads done, segregation of garbage and other social causes such as preparing students for NEET and JEE to online classes to blood donation drives to availing medical facilities near slums along with other NGOs” as said by Ramita. 

 

Research is a key component of such activities and 4^th Wheel Social Impact is another such organisation that was present. “We conduct evaluation study and need assessments of social development programs” claims Durgesh Sharma.  

 

Other causes include psychiatric rehabilitation centre – Manav Foundation Day-care psychiatric rehabilitation centre for mental health issues. “Clients are given different therapies such as yoga, dance movement, music, art therapy, animal assistance therapy, Bowan therapy” said Meena Mutha of Manav Foundation. 

 

 

Solutions to large issues of fundraising /marketing/social media/scaling up work through small and large-scale volunteering remain constant issues for iVolunteer. More such people from NGOs should join in and work towards the larger cause of bringing solace and solutions for humanity.