Leveraged social media to raise awareness and funds for Covid affected families
August 19, 2021 – Young Volunteers Organisation (YVO), an Indian non-profit organisation, headquartered in Mumbai has raised a total of ₹ 1,05,64,165 through its Post-Covid Care Fund Raiser. A virtual initiative brought 1183 donors together with an aim to provide immediate support to orphaned children and families who lost their sole bread-earners and had incomes impacted due to Covid-19.
When information about children and families being severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of Coronavirus in India reached YVO, it decided to pitch in with its post covid care fundraiser. WhatsApp broadcast was used to send out messages to raise awareness and reach out to donors associated with YVO. Volunteers and Partners took to social media on their respective handles to reach out to potential donors.
Siddharth Ladsariya, Founding Volunteer, Young Volunteers Organisation shared, “In times like these, virtual fundraising turned out to be one of the most appropriate ways to raise money in a timely manner. Different social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, along with WhatsApp Broadcast were used to raise awareness and reach out.”
People from across the world are rallying to get India the supplies and support it needs. Most NGOs have so far raised funds and are continuing to do so for absolute essentials such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, medical supplies & resources for front line warriors. The aspect of post-covid support also needs our attention.
“It is painful to see what is happening around us. The global COVID-19 outbreak has brought about never-before challenges in our daily lives, and we remain deeply concerned for all those affected by the pandemic. Funds raised by YVO will assist other NGOs to provide Covid relief to orphaned children and vulnerable families whose livelihoods have taken a hit during the pandemic”, said Ladsariya.
“The money raised is being disbursed to 2 NGOs that have the grassroots network to drive relief efforts but lack the financial wherewithal to raise funds”, he added.
Young Volunteers Organisation (YVO) is allocating the raised funds amongst 2 NGOs; Keshav Srushti and Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM).
Keshav Srushti will be supporting more than 70 families from the lower middle class and underprivileged sector spread across Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Palghar, and Wada. It will focus on providing food, education and medical support to orphaned children and vulnerable families whose livelihoods have taken a hit during the pandemic in India.
Nishi Singla, Project Head, Keshav Srushti, shared, “YVO has a highly professional approach. Keshav Srushti is very proud to be associated with this group of youth who have placed country and society before them, at such a young age. The impacted families do not even know how someone sitting in one part of the country has understood their pain and are helping them fight back to get back on their feet. YVO has been such an important link for the Impacted families (Recipients) and the Thoughtful families (Donors) and just when the Nation needs it. Such YVO’s, if present in every city, will create a huge impact for the betterment of society and indulge the next generation in doing good work for long.”
Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM) is supporting 148 families spread across 12 districts of Gujarat viz, Ahemdabad, Amreli, Balva, Banaskantha, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mehsana, Morbi, Parlanpur, Patan, Rajkot and Surendranagar. They will support families who have lost their breadwinners due to Covid, have their incomes impacted due to illness, or faced other hardships due to the pandemic & lockdowns.
Mittal Patel, Founder, Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM) shared, “This pandemic has spared none globally. Even those with established and stable incomes are reeling under rough times due to the slowing of the economy; while the poor are facing the worst times due to the current market conditions. Nomadic families who are largely daily wage earners, hawkers and basically small business-holders keep going from village to village. Due to the pandemic, their sales have stopped. Any small savings they could make so far also got spent in dealing with such a huge survival crisis. In such a crisis, Young Volunteers Organization (YVO) compassionately joined hands with us and decided to support the people who have faced loss in their families and ones who have lost their business and thus income. “
“Only with the support of YVO, today, we are able to provide support to 148 families. These were the families who had lost every financial means. We are immensely grateful to Young Volunteer’s Organization for their compassionate and empathetic support for restoring the livelihoods of these deprived families”, Mittal added.
The fundraiser was funded by multiple organisations, YVO’s existing donor family and friends; along with many first-time donors.
YVO is extremely thankful to its donors, employees and partners for their relentless contribution during these difficult times, and pledges full support to the communities in tackling this extraordinary situation.
