When we left the airport on our
first day in India, we were immediately bombarded with chaos. Cars, people,
rickshaws, bikes, motorbikes, all over the place. Yet this level of stimulation
was minute compared to the mental stimulation experienced today, January 11. In
one of our longest and jam-packed days, we visited four different locations,
all under the same NGO: Social Alpha. A 7:30 am bus ride took us to Sahaa’s
Zero waste and we met Vishal. he explained to us this program’s purpose. it is
a trash collection and sorting facility that promotes the transition of the
market from informal to the more regulated formal market and to put some dent,
however small, in India’s growing trash disposal problem. India produces
200,000 tons of municipal waste a day, so this is no small feat. The business
model is based on signing on companies and apartment complexes to use their
trash sorting service and getting paid a subscription fee for handling their
trash. The struggles of convincing companies to spend more than the bare
minimum for the greater good was discussed.
Our
next stop brought us to EnAble India, an NGO that is dedicated to training and
job placement of disabled people. We discussed how different disabilities
require different accommodations and training, but it is possible to find
employment for any one. We discussed how innovations that allow disabled
workers to perform work related tasks can also be used by non-disabled people
and can increase overall efficiency. This seemed to be one of the most effective
NGOs from a donor perspective, generating 15 rupees for every 1 rupee donated.
After a
traditional South Indian Lunch, we arrived at Social Alpha’s office for a
presentation on Lets Endorse, a company created to help other NGOs. They
provide an intuitive web site builder, donation tracker and network for NGO’s
to utilize for a low cost. They also provide a data base for ongoing problems
and allow solutions to be added. Helping the overall community by individually
helping those attempting to help others.
The
last presentation was an overview of Social Alpha’s mission and business analysis.
Led by Srikanth, he discussed the concept of a “not-for-loss” company, social
enterprises and their main mission statement. They invest in NGOs that they
believe are doing socially good work. “Not for loss” blends elements of for
profit and non-profit enterprises.
I would
be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was blown away by the actions, results and
positive missions of these NGOs. One
blog post for all four does not do them justice and they all truly deserve
their own post as they are inspiring, empowering and important.
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