Mother Teresa once said, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."
On September 25, 2024, Dhruv Sacheti and Kayna Aggarwal, the Citizenship Captain and Vice-Captain of The Indian School respectively, accompanied by their teacher Ms Sandhya Batheja, visited Goonj, a renowned non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming urban surplus into resources for the underserved rural communities in India. The visit aimed to donate old, well-maintained clothes collected during a School citizenship drive. The Indian School Citizenship Programme enables our young learners to connect with their social responsibilities which in turn will help them in the future to discharge their responsibilities as good citizens.
Goonj’s mission extends far beyond charity; it empowers individuals and communities by providing self-sustaining solutions for their needs. Through the recycling of clothes, the distribution of sanitary napkins and educational materials, Goonj is making a significant impact on rural development. What sets Goonj apart is its dignity-first model, where items are not given as handouts but as rewards for hard work, instilling pride and ownership among recipients.
Goonj’s Work: A Focus on Dignity and Development
At Goonj, the core activity involves collecting, upcycling, and redistributing clothing from urban areas, to those in need in the rural communities. These clothes are not merely handed out; they are a part of a broader strategy to involve communities in their own development. During our visit, we witnessed volunteers diligently sorting, cleaning, and mending donated clothes. These garments are distributed in "Family Kits," which are given as rewards for contributions to local development initiatives, such as building infrastructure or improving sanitation. People earn these resources through their labour, preserving their dignity by valuing their efforts.
One notable project of is Goonj’s "My Pad" initiative, which produces low-cost sanitary napkins from recycled cloth. In rural India, access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products is a significant challenge, often leading to poor menstrual health among women. Goonj addresses this issue by linking these essential products to participation in developmental projects, empowering women and fostering a sense of accomplishment rather than dependence. During our visit, we saw volunteers and local women working side by side to stitch these napkins, demonstrating how a simple innovation can profoundly impact the health, dignity, and independence of rural women.
Supporting Education Through Resource Redistribution
In addition to clothing and sanitary products, Goonj provides books and stationery to children in rural India. Access to basic educational materials remains a primary barrier to education in many rural areas. Goonj collects surplus books and stationery from urban areas and redistributes them as rewards for academic efforts or participation in community activities. During our visit, we observed stacks of donated books being sorted and packed for distribution. This approach ensures that educational resources are viewed as rewards for hard work rather than mere charity, promoting a culture of learning and self-reliance. By earning these materials, children take pride in their achievements and are motivated to continue striving for success.
A Dignity-First Model
Goonj’s model is built on the belief that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves dignity. This principle is reflected in every aspect of their work. Resources are earned, not simply given, reinforcing the value of hard work and community involvement. During our visit, we engaged in discussions with the Goonj team about the significance of this dignity-first approach. They explained how the organisation collaborates with rural communities to identify local issues and empower them to take action. For instance, when a village needs a new road, residents come together to build it and receive clothing, sanitary napkins, or books as rewards for their labour. This creates a cycle of development and dignity, enabling communities to take ownership of their progress.
Visiting Goonj was an eye-opening experience. Their innovative approach to filling resource gaps with dignity, recycling urban surplus as rewards for hard work, represents a sustainable model of development. Goonj’s efforts in cloth recycling, production of sanitary napkins, and distribution of educational materials are making a tangible difference in the lives of rural families across India. Most importantly, Goonj is not merely offering charity; it is restoring dignity, building communities, and promoting self-reliance. This model of recycling, rural empowerment, and fostering a culture of earning rather than dependence serves as a powerful example for anyone interested in creating long-term social change. The Indianities proudly rendered their contribution to establish a harmonious society.
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