Registered in 2010, Kashtakari Panchayat supports waste pickers and their collectives. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, these dedicated frontline workers remained largely vulnerable and crippled. In a situation where most of the vulnerable families from Kashtakari Panchayat's community became dependent solely on the earnings of the waste-picker members, the incomes of these COVID-warriors declined even as they remained exposed to the risk of infection while offering their essential services during the lockdowns. All this, only to ensure that our streets and cities remain clean and hygienic.
Kastakari Panchayat soon realised an urgent need to support their community with cash reliefs and safety gears, but the quantum of funds required was huge. They thus turned their retail fundraising efforts to GiveIndia Fundraisers realising that they need to take their cause to the wider audience and explore the true power in giving. Many of their well-wishers immediately came in support of their growing initiatives. Having raised close to ₹36 lakh in support of a vulnerable group of COVID Heroes, here are some learnings from their successful stint.
1. Prompt and clear communication: As Kashtakari Panchayat was inexperienced in the field of crowdfunding and was reeling under the pressure of relief work for a very vulnerable community of frontline workers- waste pickers, they decided to focus on telling the truth as it is, on sharing firsthand what they had learned from the community. People need to and like to know the facts, so they made sure that they had all the information necessary for their appeal.
2. Extensive outreach: The NGO reached out to an extensive contact base of individuals, civil society organisations, corporates, as well as to students, volunteers and universities in India and abroad. This was done by a thorough streamlining of its contact database and by using social media, emails and informal forums like WhatsApp. Through the outreach they highlighted the fact that waste pickers had chosen to be resilient, to fight, and to work under tremendous pressure despite their fears during the merciless pandemic and ensuing lockdown in order to ensure the city and citizens remained safe. And the equally important appeal to people’s sensitivities- that now was the time to pay back to the community which was out there working, while they were not.
3. Follow up and close all loops: The most important step was to stay connected with those who reached out with questions or queries and to ensure that all the relevant information sought was delivered. Kashtakari Panchayat sent out weekly reminders to all those who had shown interest to support the cause and assisted with the technical difficulties many faced – from online payments to the required paperwork.
"At the core of any fundraiser lies the immense trust we place in the ability of people to express love, support and solidarity. The only way to match up to that is by ensuring that we reflect the reality at the grassroots. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who continues to believe in the struggles of waste pickers" - Lakshmi Narayanan, Managing Trustee, Kashtakari Panchayat.
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