KOCHI: Say NGO and the image that comes to your mind would be a set of unambitious people clad in shabby attire, shouting slogans, right? Wrong. The new social worker could very well be dressed in branded jeans and a designer top, for all you know. And Kochi is no exception. Contrary to the opinion that Gen Y is a hedonistic lot, a good number of voluntary organisations which are operating in the city today are founded by and composed of 20 and 30 somethings. Most of the members and volunteers of these groups, formed in the last four-five years, are young adults and professionals who set apart time, money and effort to do their bit towards society.
“Of course there are few who join just because it’s fashionable to be a social worker but what they do counts. It brings results,” says Arun Mathew, who along with a handful of like-minded friends runs Chlorophyll, an organisation which works for environment conservation. Anitha Kuriakose, president of ‘Colors of Future’, an NGO which aims at making underprivileged children self-sufficient, is also of the same opinion. Of the 100 people who are involved in a project, only 20 might actually turn up for the actual work on the field, but those 20 will be really committed.” Most of the volunteers at ‘Colors’ are again young working professionals who conduct sessions for the children on a regular basis.
Being Gen Y reflects on their activities, too. The groups spread awareness of their campaigns and get volunteers through social networking sites as they are cheap and reach out to the people they want easily. “Being part of something like this is fun. All of us are from different walks of life but have come together for something good, which reflects on our relationships,” says Anita.
The groups don’t believe in the tradition of long speeches and no action. “We have never conducted even one seminar or meeting. Our members get together at regular intervals to distribute tree saplings to residents associations and plant trees,” says Arun. The latest campaign of Chlorophyll is to distribute eco-friendly carry bags to residents in apartment complexes.
More structured organisations like MAD (Make a Difference) has its members devoting no less than two hours a week for taking classes for children in orphanages. “At present we have over 150 members in Kochi. Seventy percent are students and 90 percent are below 30,” says Binny V A, a member. “A lot of youngsters, especially students, want to be involved in a cause.
But they just don’t know how to go about it.”
Well, whether the young philanthropists can continue their activities into adulthood is another question altogether but one thing is for sure — it is a good beginning.