Green… a very interesting color that stands for growth, eco friendly, nature, money, success, rise… but in our case it is about #Sharing. RobinHoodArmy an international NGO that believes in sharing not only food but time. That believes in no wastage and optimisation of resources.
Its been only 2 weeks now that I committed to myself that I will share 2 hours every week with people I generally have no work or relationship and be selfless and do whatever I am asked to do.
My sis S, has always been my inspiration and this time as well… why? ‘coz she started action for RobinHoodArmy four years ago in Jaipur, at a time when maybe i was not wise enough to understand the depth of the fight this army is standing for.
My father-in-law – RMP – was instrumental in getting me to decide to volunteer time, cos he joined this army and would share with me the changes they are bringing and the hurdles they have to cross to achieve their goals…
So what are these hurdles??
RHA Bangalore, believes in not only sharing food but wants to activate clusters where our volunteers can share 2 hours every sunday and spend time with the kids in these slum area. When we spend time with these kids, we help them with their homeworks, drawing classes, dance lessons, moral science lessons etc. This is just a way to make this world an inclusive society, where everybody lives in peace and harmony.
15th August Drive
Today the drive was special, we were on a mission to feed 1 million people across the country and in Bangalore we wanted to feed 1 lac people atleast. We were heading the whitefield chapter and at our home, we had 1 ton grains to distribute.
I was amazed how my friends came forward to support me when i started to share that i am standing for this fight. I can never thank each one… and some of them are
- Viji – we have not known each other for toooo long, but when i shared with her i am on a mission to feed 1 million people – she immediately supported us with contribution of grains and also went ahead and spread word to her friends and got contributions.
- Meeta – we have known each other for long but we dont speak so often but 1 message and in 15 mins she called me and said “i am supporting the mission, will send my share to the address given”
- Pavithra – my colleague – she heard me out, and said nothing and after 2 days told me – “Ruche i am collecting the material in my apartment and will ask you to collect the same on a given date”
- Krish – aise to hum masti friends hai… but i texted him once and he was like ” Ruche i will support you in collection and you focus on distribution.” He too without my asking ran a campaign in his community and collected the material for us.
- Aashish & Family – they are my clients, but we have a special relationship. My one text and in 20 min Aashish spoke with me, understood the concept and immediately spoke with his family members and got RHA 4-5 soldiers along with commitment to share food and also time. Unconditional commitment. I am sooooo thankful.
- Poonam – i have met her last week, had an interaction of barely 10mins but when she learnt abt our campaign today – she said – “Ruche i will come and support the cause”. Later she called me – and i gave her one location map and a number… she went there in time, coordinated, supported and i learnt abt all this when i saw her busy working in the pics
- Rajeev – He is a good friend, somebody i just like to have a debate with forever… but i told him rajeev i need vehicles… pls come with one and help us distribute… no further disucssion. he said give me time and i will be there. Once he was here – he did not look at his watch unless everything was done.
- Satish & his wife – he is my that friend who always smiles, calls me for my bday and anniversrys but i am so bad – i never call him. He loves me unconditionally. When he learnt abt this campaign – he came forward to support with time, and did everything required once he was here with his wife.
- Biju – a client cum friend… we have recently met but again no questions, no ifs and buts… he arranges some grains and then we followed up with each other for 3 days to see how we can have the grains dropped to collection point and silently just do it…and it happened.
- Neeta, Neha, Rohini, Indu, Rajani, Gaurav, Sapna, Sheela, Neha – my friends who said look we believe you and the cause. We have our limitations but we want to be part of the campaign. They just transferred the money and told me do what is required for the society as far as this campaign is required.
- Dr.Pradeep, MD and Diabetic Specialist – BrookfieldHospital – He is a doc friend… somebody i go to with my health issues most of the times. This time i told him – i dont have a problem but some people around us may need you.. pls come help us put a health camp. No questions asked, he not only said yes to it, arranged the health camp along with his staff, got all the impt. medicines required along with basic furniture to host the show well. Also came today and volunteered his time to the cause.
- Deepika, Neha, Priyanka, Mitra mam – some friends who are not in Bangalore – they started work with their respective city heads.
- Abhijeet – a friend who too stood up to support without a single question.
- Lekha – a colleague – silently went and got the material and just gave it to me…
- Dolly – i dont have a name for our relationship – I met her first when i was working out of Evoma Business Center, cos she is one of the MD at Evoma. Later we kind of understood that something strike well between us cos we dont talk often but when we do, then we can share. This time was similar… i just texted her with the mission and she was like “Ruche lets have this campaign run in all our Evoma centres and let me see how i can support the cause to its best.” I connected her to Abhishek, the Bangalore RHA head, and the campaign started. After 4 days i was talking to Dolly and i learnt – she was not in town and she made it compulsory for her staff to share in any nature and any amount. I felt Dolly could just say – i am not around or could look at lot of reasons to not contribute but she not only contributed but inspired people to understand the cause and understand the importance of sharing for an inclusive society.
Some of my learnings –
- We had an army of 25 to 45 people and most of us did not know each other, and many of us had never met. But when we came on ground to work, people were selfless and humble. No one for once said no for any task. Everybody irrespective of their age, job, gender, position – did everything that was required at any point.
- My job was to plan and allocate areas and give everyone enough space and time to enjoy 1 cluster that they are part of and also be sensitive and make sure that as many people volunteer, everybody has something to contribute and is part of the mission. My job was made super easy as everybody just went by the plan i created. Nobody questioned. Last min. we had some hiccups and the entire army came together to support.
- My friends showed their unconditional love and faith in and for me.
- In life – lets focus on “doing” and not “judging”.
- Life is about accepting the situation and moving forward converting it into opportunity.
- Lets be #UnReasonable
At this point i want to thank some of the networks that i am part of, and that has helped with these precious relationships – HEN India, BNI, Landmark Forum, GSS ISB 10k Program
These are those moments in life, where you not only learn the attributes of being a good human but you alose learn to be humble. Like somebody said – I bend to be strong
GRATITUDE for the world, my family, friends, teachers, colleagues, associates and everyone who has made me who i am today!
