Our Story
In the heart of a bustling city, amidst chrome and glass skyscrapers, I lived a life empathetic but unaware of how a mere teen could make an impact in the lives of people in faraway corners of the world.
During summer vacations, I found that gifting ice cream could bring a smile to children wearing tattered clothes on Delhi streets. Being a frequent traveller to India, I felt the pain of people around me who could not afford the basic needs of life but didn’t think I could do anything to address the monumental problem. However, a deep calling to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate captivated me.
It was an internship with a multinational retail organisation that allowed me to not only gain business insights but also utilize analytical tools to propose a solution with far-reaching impact. Gaining an understanding of how big retail and corporate houses manage their dead stock, I understood that these companies either move and sell their dead stock by transporting it to non-fashion-conscious territories across the globe.
Sometimes, the stock keeps lying in their warehouses, which is a lost opportunity cost associated with the use of warehouse space. The inventory remaining stagnant in warehouses occupies valuable space, which prevents the utilization of that space for storing other potentially profitable goods. Either option is a big investment for corporations.
Moreover, dumping goods in landfills also has associated costs. My solution is to redirect the unwanted goods to those who need them, be it in corporate warehouses or our homes. Today, we live in a ‘throw-away society’ where companies and societies believe more in disposal rather than durability. Be it the fashion industry or consumer household, to food industry. Societies strongly influenced by consumerism result in overconsumption. Products are becoming short-lived and are quickly dumped in landfills where they spew out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and methane. On the other hand, we have billions of people who still cannot afford two times meals or 2-3 pairs of clothes to run their livelihood.
This pioneered a new idea in my mind: What if I could create a channel where the dead stock lying in the warehouses of big corporations could be delivered to the people who were really in need and could not afford it? Now, it was time to turn my passion into action. With unwavering determination, I embarked on the journey of starting my own charity.
Our mission is to empower communities through non-monetary resources, fostering sustainable development, and promoting social equity. I envisioned a charity that would empower individuals and communities to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for themselves.
Next, I connected with like-minded individuals or corporates who shared the same passion and dedication. I spent countless hours brainstorming ideas, contacting multiple corporations and charities while reminding corporations of their Corporate Social responsibilities. After 15 months of consistent efforts, I managed to get my first donation from a retail clothing brand, which donated us around 1000 pieces of their outdated stock. And now, slowly but steadily, donations have started pouring in, allowing us to expand our reach and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to social justice, we are now trying to push our boundaries to other nations and innovate ways to address the challenges faced by the community. We are continuously looking for and welcoming volunteers across the world who can come forward and support us in our mission. ‘Be it any country, any region … our aspirations stretch beyond the horizon”.
