Our country is home to millions of poor children and communities who have very little means in life. Many of them even strive to get the basic needs of life: food, hygienic water, enough clothing, and a roof over their head. Despite significant progress made in the socio-economic world since independence, even today, almost 25% of India’s population exists below the poverty line, as per the World Bank survey. This tells that a massive 280 million people in our country survive on less than 80 rupees per day on spending power parity. In such a case, interventions by charities and NGOs become extremely important along with the initiatives and schemes rolled out by the government.
The solution to tackling deprivation does not lie in doling out help to the needy. The priority here should be on training them with all the essential tools, quality education, proper healthcare security, and safety, professional skills, etc. so that the underprivileged can attain personal monetary growth and in turn contribute to their own, community’s, and country’s development.
Here are some ways in which you can contribute your bit to fighting poverty:
1. Money Donation to an NGO is a great way of helping poor
NGOs like the Richa foundation are empowering children of today who are the future of the country with the right methods and paving the way for them to move ahead in life. The organization is helping poor children get an opportunity at a fulfilling childhood by helping them with quality learning opportunities, providing healthcare, security from harm and abuse, and solace and rehabilitation during calamities and crises. The idea is to empower the most underprivileged children of India to grow up into mature, skilled, and healthy adults who can achieve a decent career and leave behind a life of deprivation.
2. Become a fundraiser
If you’re committed to working for the cause of the poor children and communities in India, then you have a chance to go much beyond contributing money. You can use your social status and initiate different types of fundraising movements. This includes social events, marathons, birthday fundraisers, concerts, etc. The latest in the idea of fundraising is Crowdfunding via social media.
3. Volunteer with a charity
Interested in helping the poor beat poverty? Then apart from your cash donation, you should also offer your efforts and time to the cause. There are opportunities galore here. For example, you can teach children at an NGO’s learning center or take up a pro bono job with a charity. You can manage a community kitchen for the poor or you can conduct enrolment drives for slum children and help them reach schools. If you’re a young fellow who is a student or someone who has just completed academics, you can pick up a summer internship with an NGO where you can get practical training on how social welfare programs are carried out on the ground. Don’t forget, you must focus your efforts on giving benefits to the poor people you work for. Volunteering demands to be a wholly selfless practice.
4. Serve as a campaigner for the cause
Spreading the word about poverty is equally important as working to alleviate it. This is because the more the community knows and realizes the cause there are more possibilities of them getting aware in the process of working towards managing it. Join a movement that seeks to address issues of lack of shelter, education, healthcare, etc. for poor communities and be a torch-bearer. These days, you have the tremendous power of social media at your disposal which can be leveraged efficiently to make noise.
5. Give service as an educator
You can involve yourself in giving knowledge to the poor. This will benefit the poor and destitute to feel on their feet. Education is the introduction to getting out of life’s difficulties and getting free from the cycle of poverty. Providing free education to poor and underprivileged people helps them lead better lives.
Final words
There are many means and ways to empower the needy but nothing works better than donating to an organization committed to helping poor children and communities fight poverty. Not only do you bring about differences on the ground, but you also get donation tax advantages as an added benefit. Apart from money, becoming a volunteer, serving as a fundraiser, and campaigning for a purpose are some other ways to fight the menace of deprivation in India.
