Released on: April 25, 2022
RACHNA MALIK – Honorary Chairperson | FOUNDER – GIVERS FOR A CAUSE, a Non-Government Organization.
GIVERS FOR A CAUSE
I’ve spent most of my life as a housewife, taking care of my family. When I was a young girl, my grandmother was my best friend. She used that friendship to inculcate ideas of love and service in me. When I became a mom, I tried to pass along the same values. However, I felt something was amiss because I was not actively doing anything about my values.
Then in 2015, my eldest daughter left our family home to pursue her higher studies in a different city. The pain of our separation was too much to handle. I fell in clinical depression and struggled for a few years. Finally, because of her support in helping me find a coping mechanism, I began working as a volunteer at the Blind Relief Association (BRA) on Lodhi Road. I worked there for 4 years but wanted to do more. That feeling took me to the footpaths of A.I.I.M.S where at first, I would go on Wednesdays to distribute food as langar Seva. One Wednesday, I saw a 5-year girl dying on the road. I just couldn’t handle it and left for home in tears. That day filled me with enough fire to want to start my own NGO.
What is the hardest challenge you faced in your journey and how did you turn it into an opportunity?
The hardest challenge I faced in my journey was to learn about the harshness in this dark world that the privileged class have no real idea about. I work with sick and dying children. It would be very hard for me to not let me work affect me mentally and emotionally. I would often find myself crying and grieving over these children because I nurtured them as my own for long periods of time.
There came a point, when the emotional stress became too much and I just could not handle it. Jigyasa, a 6-year-old who was close to my hear, died in my arms. That led me to an emotional breakdown. As a result, I had to distance myself from my work to see things more clearly. I couldn’t possibly handle everything on my own. Hence, I started building a team. First, I recruited my family. then, friends. And since then, so many more kind and beautiful souls have joined my cause to help me. As a team, now we can handle anything!
What is your business success mantra that you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
In my business, we do not make a profit. However, the more activity we attract, the more we can help others in need. The success of my work is in being open and honest with everyone, especially my generous and kind sponsors. I believe in doing work that is so full of love that it attracts more and more and more. So far, I have seen just that.
We work with patients who are traveling from rural areas and struggling to make ends meet. We learn from them about unique requirements and provide them with it. We have many kind souls who ensure that money or means reach them. For example, someone may need help with medicines, another with MRI scan or someone needs a wheelchair. We also have many reputed organizations tied up with like The Rotary Club, Health Plus Labs GK 1, ISH Gurgaon, Vardhaman Textiles Limited, Delhi Shaktis (Ladies Club of Hindustan Petroleum), Dabur and many more.
We put extra energy in children who are either themselves patients or those of patients. We provide them with school necessities and toys amongst many other things.
Other than that, here is a list of all the things we distribute:
- Daily Milk
- Daily Hot Meals
- Funds for Important Operations
- Blood Units for those just undergone surgery
- Medicines
- MRI & CT scans/Tests
- Wheelchairs, Commode Seats, Walkers, Walking Sticks
- SDP Kits
- Electric Kettles & Flasks
- Protein Powders, Milk Powders, Cereal, Cerelac and Juice.
- Diapers for Children and Adults
- Personal Hygiene Items
- Sanitary Pads
- Personal Protecting Commodities – Face Masks, Sanitizers, Hand-Wash
- New Clothes and Shoes for Children
- Air/Gel Mattress
- Prosthetic Eyes and Spectacles
- Ambulance Service
We were super happy with the work we did during COVID! During the first lockdown, the people on the footpaths were not able to manage anything! We helped 350 patients with regular medicines. We wanted to leave no one behind but the expenses of these medicines were starting to pile up. We had no other choice but to file a petition for opening the free pharmacy of A.I.I.M.S to which the government responded well and all of us were rejoiced!
Another major happy day was, undoubtedly, the day when we were allotted a space to work out of in Vishram Sadan. It was a huge help for our operations and everyone we work with.
Address : 3539 G/F, MOHALLA JATWARA, DARYA GANJ, DELHI-110002 ,
NGO Reg. No. IN-DL01003290409557R Mobile: 9811853489
EMAIL ID.
[email protected]
CENTER: A.I.I.M.S. Vishram Sadan Complex, Recreation Room,
Sri Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar West, New Delhi-110029.
Landmark: Opposite Main Entry Gate No.1 A.I.I.M.S.
Timings: 10am to 12 pm & 5pm to 7pm (opens Daily)
To Donate:
BANK DETAILS : GIVERS FOR A CAUSE TRUST
CA NO. 5512849048, IFSC – KKBK0000214
Share with friends:
