“Awareness is a key ingredient in success. If you have it, teach it, if you lack it, seek it.” – Michael B. Kitson.
These words by late art historian Kitson struck hard in the mind of Shiwani Jairath, a student of Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College.
Shiwani was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, into a nuclear family. Her parents, both of whom are working, gave her the utmost freedom to become whatever she wished for. On coming to Delhi for higher education, Shiwani found a wider world and started to participate in different activities. Out in the city, she came to learn how difficult the world we live in has become. That’s how she ideated to form an initiative, Willing For Welfare, aiming to address and spread awareness regarding a number of social issues that plague our world.
Soon after, Shiwani was joined by Suraj Sehgal, a student of the same college. Suraj is an IAS aspirant who aims to follow the footsteps of his father who serves in the government. He belongs to Ludhiana as well. In Delhi, he met people from diverse cultures which gave him a reality check about how life is so vulnerable and volatile.
Having a dream of serving the country and society at large propelled these kids to form the initiative, together. Willing For Welfare started during the lockdown in the month of July. The founders reached out to some like-minded people to join the initiative. Today they have a team of 20 to 25 dedicated young core members from all over India who are putting in their efforts to bring a change and inspire others.
They have launched an entire website dedicated to the cause where they feature blogs based on social issues. The highlight of the website is the changemakers section where they post interviews of people who are working actively for several causes such as – domestic violence, homophobia, body shaming, etc. They have also launched Instagram and Facebook pages to spread awareness.
WFW has collaborated with certain foundations that conduct different drives both online and offline. This includes their tie-up with Rotaract – the student organization partnered by Rotary Club. They have participated in several events of the club which focused on topics like menstrual hygiene. Recently they even conducted a virtual organ donation drive with Rotaract.
Within three months, Willing For Welfare has received some amazing responses which make its founders hopeful for the future. For now, they are managing all the funds on their own, but they plan to launch fundraising campaigns in near future.
“Funds are surely a big issue as a student. It’s difficult to trust and pay people but we are working as a proper team. In the future, we are planning to have fundraising campaigns for better resources”, said Suraj.
Speaking about the initiative’s future goals, Suraj added, “Our future plan is to get more and more as our volunteers to make WFW effective at large scale.”
What these youngsters are doing is truly commendable. It’s rare to find true concern and benevolence these days.