There are so many instances of a disaster occurring in one part of the country, while you are in another and despite wanting to contribute or help out, just don’t know how to.
But with organisations increasingly going mobile and online, there are a number of options now, if you want to help out. Recently, for instance, the BJP in Tamil Nadu decided to raise funds for flood-affected victims in Jammu and Kashmir, and did this through Bijlipay – a payment solutions company. Volunteers were given mPOS devices – essentially an app on smartphones with hardware attached, through which they could collect card-based contributions from residents. Those who contributed got digital receipts either on SMS or as an email.
“It’s very useful, as this way, people know that their contributions are going to the right place. The technology is very safe and is now being used even by small merchants such as those selling at exhibitions and fairs,” said Pavan Kachi Bhatla, CEO, Bijlipay.
Other organisations like Delhi-based NGO Goonj also have systems in place to contribute online. To contribute for the Kashmir floods, residents can visit goong.org.
City-based NGO NalandaWay Foundation started OrangeStreet.in, an online platform that allows any individual or NGO in India to raise funds for social projects. “The platform follows a crowd-sourcing model where it provides tools that will help individuals and organisations to create a fund-raising campaign and seek funding from friends, employees, family members and the donor community at large,” its website says.
So if you want to contribute, all it takes now is a few clicks.
