Qatar Scientific Club to produce 6,000 face shields

The Qatar Scientific Club (QSC) is set to manufacture 6,000 face shields with support from Oryx
GTL for medical staff of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Oryx GTL employees.

These will be manufactured at the QSC’s Fabrication Lab, after a face shield previously manufactured
by the Club was tested and approved by the HMC.

Oryx GTL has supported the QSC to produce 5,000 face shields for the HMC and 1,000 for its
employees, in order to provide protection against the risk of coronavirus infection.

The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, these locally-manufactured face shields
have a number of advantages, which include providing enhanced protection and reducing
condensation that could affect the wearer’s vision, and are also reusable after being sterilised, and are environment-friendly.

The shields were tested multiple times by the medical teams concerned, and the recommended
improvements were made accordingly.

Saad al-Muraikhi, director of public relations at Oryx GTL, said that this assistance comes
as part of the company’s efforts to support the Qatar society, and is in line with their corporate social responsibility which is being committed to support important and constructive programmes.
Abdulaziz al-Jabiri, technical director at the QSC, added that the support of Oryx GTL stresses the
strong and continued desire of the company to maintain community partnerships in a way that
benefits the entire society.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id:nawal-m@crowdteck.com

Read More

COVID-19: NGO Bhumi provides monetary assistance to over 14k daily wagers

Even as India grapples with the containment
of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has wrecked havoc in the lives of people and
caused job losses to millions, Bhumi, one of the country’s largest independent
and youth volunteer non-profit organization has helped over 14 thousand daily
wage workers with direct account transfers and monetary help to over 5000
children in 80 shelter hopes.

In an interview to crowdteck.com, Dr
Prahalathan KK, Co-founder and an ophthalmologist by profession, shares his
experiences while the NGO stood at the forefront in battling the menace of
Corona virus.

Q. Tell us more about NGO Bhumi..

A. Bhumi was founded in 2006 and is today
one of India’s largest youth volunteering organizations. Every year, we enable
over 25,000 volunteers across India for Sustainable Development Goals. We
believe that our approach to education and volunteerism gets stronger and
better with every stride we proactively take. We have over a decade’s
experience in education and are currently working with over 25,000 children.
Bhumi is also a leader in Volunteer Engagement, consistently contributing over 3
lakh hours of volunteering nationally. Our vision is to help build a more
influential, equal and socially-conscious society.

Q. How is your organization coming forth to
help the community during the time of lockdown?

A. In an effort to help the daily wagers,
our helpline volunteers worked day and night to verify their details and
support them with fund transfers. With consistent efforts of our COVID Support
Team, we have managed to help 14,104 daily wagers with direct fund transfers and
5,085 children in 80 shelter homes with grocery supplies. Our education program
teams were also quick to adapt and reinvent themselves with the support of
volunteers. We have managed to initiate online classes for all our projects,
thereby benefiting 1,310 children from 106 shelter homes across India, engaging
around 705 volunteers. Bhumi’s corporate volunteering engagements were also
hugely impacted ‘Work from Home’ being the new norm in this COVID situation. We
have engaged 21 corporates and are organizing close to 60 events with 1,151
corporate volunteers.

Q. What were the challenges faced by your
teams and volunteers when they were on the ground and helping people?

A. With virtual volunteering being the
dominant feature, a lot of our challenges revolved around the use of
technology. The shelter homes, where we wanted to conduct online classes, usually
had little or no access to the internet and computer systems. Even places where
they had access, we had to educate them on online tools like Zoom, Google Meet
etc extensively. Another major challenge was lack of a human touch in these
virtual volunteering initiatives while we were delivering a curriculum or an
activity. It was difficult to understand the emotions and feelings of beneficiaries.
For on-ground volunteering like grocery deliveries and support, fears of
contacting COVID, infrastructural difficulties like transport etc were also
seen.

Q. Did your NGO collaborate with any
Corporates for CSR based activities during the outbreak to help the affected?

A. Our Corporate partners Cognizant, Mckinsey and NTT DATA supported us with funds. Others like IBM, Oracle, CGI, DXC Technology, PayPal, Flex, Aspire Systems, BNP Paribas and Global Mantra Innovations helped us in effectively managing our helpline and delivering groceries to people in need through Corporate volunteering.

By: Nawal Mukadam
Email Id: M@crowdteck.com

Read More

Vocal with Advocate Sheeba Priyadharshini

Coronavirus: an outbreak and a breakthrough.

The disrupted state of the poor people is now not a secret, it’s a harrowing story about the wayward conditions of the underprivileged and destitute in India in the midst of the latest coronavirus pandemic, from individuals starving to migrant employees moving across the state to get to their homes. In short, it is a bleak sight as the national shutdown has come at a heavy charge, levied to prevent the spread of the emerging virus.

There is no escaping that the troubling nature of the country’s present situation is disturbing. Still, in the midst of such a tragedy, Chennai was fortunate enough to have a supportive community of young volunteers from the Indian Social Activist Council (ISAC) who go clockwise to make sure the poor are catered for.

Adv. Sheeba, president and founder of ISAC NGO, outlined the influence of Coronavirus on the outer environment and the participating community in a conversation with us.

How
did the government want you to help in the coronavirus fight?

“We were able to deliver essential items, soaps, clothing, and food throughout the city and in rural areas during the initial lockdown phase which is in March and April. As we were unable to provide them with sanitizers recently, we supplied soap to the people.However, there was a government directive in the first week of June that whenever the Group wishes to support citizens they have to connect with the municipality or with corporations to use them as a conduit for delivering important items.”

How
is your team overcoming the challenges of supporting the community?

“My team and I decided to go the legal way, so we recently began a helpline portal. As we have a lot of lawyers in the organization, we release videos and posters of legal awareness to inform people about their fundamental human rights.We are also working closely with the team of doctors at the Multispecialty Hospital, so if people need any medical help we direct them to the doctors for treatment.

Chennai cases are on a hike to keep you updated and people’s suffering is increasing because of the lockdown. People on the street, disadvantaged students, government universities, and in particular orphanages are left out with little to no food.So our team decided to start a group chain. Where each person is required to pay one rupee and then the entire sum is given to the orphanages for the necessities and the ration.Initiatives are also being taken by political parties and ration shops to distribute food and essentials which is truly supportive.

We are playing a role of a bridge between MLA or municipal corporations and orphanages. We are currently distributing in Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Thiruvallur and around.”

Can you tell us more about the volunteer groups?

“It was challenging to persuade volunteers to come for NGO activities until the pandemic, yet after the lockout, we have a ton of committed volunteers, not just that we also have fresh volunteers who weren’t part of our NGO and whom we’re delighted of. It is wonderful to see the community’s mutual willingness to provide support, maybe because they have the time to help what is no less valuable for the needy people.”

The group of young volunteers initiated to serve food to the poor and needy amid the nationwide lockdown. Throughout the entire lockdown duration, the team has delivered ample food and supplies to people around Chennai and across the state and will continue to do so until India’s lockdown ends, regardless of the constant extensions.

Remember,
great support is forthcoming from people who want to help.

To volunteer your services for the nation’s fight against
the spread of Coronavirus, Connect here https://indian-social-activist-council.business.site/

Read More

Mental Health under the Weight of a Pandemic

Mental wellbeing matters to all if
you face a mental health problem, you’re not alone! Everyone is presently
focused on something in such tough days that may be oneself, a dream, or a
vision for the foreseeable future ahead.

This is a reminder to slow down
and take a pause to acknowledge that strength lies profoundly in trusting in
oneself, particularly in those times where the mind is full of self-doubt but
you have to channel that energy towards self-belief.

While speaking with Johnson Thomas, co-founder of AASRA Suicide
Prevention NGO, an organization aimed at providing the distressed and the
suicidal with supportive, qualified, and effective confidential care and
assistance, much is required particularly during these difficult times.

Here’s what Johnson had
to unfold in relation to the prevailing pandemic and its consequences:

What kinds of challenges or cases did your
organization come across during the lockdown period?

“Aasra is an
emotional support service over the telephone. Providing people with first aid
psychological counseling, but for this, they need to contact us, we get calls
from all facets of life, because of the recent quarantine, we have taken a
substantial number of calls from the past 3-4 months, with various issues such
as loss of family members or employment, reduced salaries or no earnings at
all, struggling to pay debts or even manage food, relationship concerns,
students with shorter attention span and experiencing study disturbances, and
also people having personal space issues too.”

What kind of support should be expected if one
gets in touch with your volunteers?

“If absolutely
required, we provide them with references to people willing to help them with
their situation, for example, the widest possible people were struggling to
obtain rations during the lockdown, so we connected them with others who aided
them with food and essentials.”

Johnson urges people to
connect with Aasar, an avenue to talk more about their situation and stress
without any fear of judgment or criticism from anywhere in the world on their
24/7 helpline number with professional emotional support volunteers.

During these stressful times, your window
of patience will be tested but with the right guidance and attitude, you can
decide what your new normal can be to maintain positivity.

Always remember two steps forward, one step
backward is still one step forward, so keep your head high and break the
silence.

Aasra has a 24/7 worldwide suicide
prevention helpline number, you can connect with them here http://www.aasra.info/helpline.html

Read More

Talabat and Qatar Charity together delivered 10,000 nutritional meals

Food brings everyone together!

As part of the QR1 donation
initiative, the region’s leading food & grocery delivery portal Talabat has
confirmed the distribution of 10,000 meals to in-serving communities in
partnership with Qatar Charity (QC).

QR1 was donated to Qatar
Charity for each food order made via the Talabat app. In order to remain home
and keep healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers were urged to buy
their food digitally. Approximately 10,000 food packages were donated.

The Qatar Charity director
of customer support, Abdulaziz Jassim Haji, asserted that the initiative has
effectively guided people to sit at home and genuinely create a difference for
local neighbourhoods.

“We would like to thank Talabat Qatar for
addressing our cause creatively. During this period, it is important for the
community to gather their efforts and support those in need.  This has been a challenging Ramadan and
Covid-19 period for a number of families and individuals and the QR1 campaign
successfully provided them with the support required,” Abdulaziz Jassim Haji
quoted.

Francisco
De Souza, Talabat Qatar’s Managing Director, is proud of the efforts of the
people of Qatar throughout the Covid-19 period.

“I’m glad to see the community pulling
together through our platform to provide the support many require during this
pandemic. For every order made by our customers, they’ve supported someone in
need. Talabat Qatar will continue to look at ways to creatively support the
local community as it did through the QR1 campaign with Qatar Charity. I would
like to thank Qatar Charity for their astounding efforts in addressing
important causes across the country, which we’re proud of playing a role in
making this happen. Talabat is always on the lookout to help the local
community and aims to make a difference – despite the distance,” De Souza said.

Throughout the Covid-19
phase, Talabat has been effective in catering to the needs of the city,
maintaining the health and well-being of customers and drivers through
protected distribution policies, empowering restaurant partners, and local
communities continuously.

Read More

Britannia Marie gives 10 lakhs to homemakers to start their business ventures

Britannia Marie Gold,
the third-largest biscuit brand that has been a common household name for 60
years recently announced the winners of its annual women’s entrepreneurship
program Britannia Marie Gold My Start-Up, which aims to help homemakers from
across the country undertake entrepreneurial ventures so that they may become
financially independent.

In addition to giving
Rs. 10 lakhs each as the principal amount to start their businesses, the
organization has collaborated with the National Skill Development Corporation
to provide online skill training to around 10,000 homemakers.

The online skill
training program would revolve around various skill sets required to start a
small business so that the homemakers are well-equipped with appropriate skills
before starting a business.

After being launched
in February 2020, over 1.5 million applicants from 32 states and Union
Territories applied through telephone, web, and WhatsApp in which one-quarter
of the entries came through WhatsApp.

Due to a nationwide
lockdown in place, there was a digital finale where the finalists were asked to
give an online presentation to the jury consisting of entrepreneurs, media
persons, and higher officials from Britannia.

Read More

Food For All

About Assi Anna Kshetra

It is a small group of around a dozen like-minded individuals committed to philanthropy across Varanasi. The group has been proactively undertaking free food drives during the lockdown to help vulnerable sections. Pranav Singh, a proactive member of the organization shares some significant details about their charitable endeavor

How are
you helping people in times of pandemic?

The lockdown due to the pandemic
has crippled business and employment across localities in Varanasi. Many
migrant laborers and daily wage earners have lost their livelihoods, pushing
them to the brink of penury. We have ensured that at least one meal a day
reaches out to the affected people.

What’s
the main goal of your organization?

The
primary agenda has always remained to help the underprivileged sections with
food, clothes, and other necessities. The current scenario has prioritized our
‘food for all’ idea over other aid and assistance. Initially, we had been
undertaking free-food drives every Saturday for the last two years across
different regions of Varanasi.

How
many members form your team? Where do you operate?

We are currently a team of 12 like-minded
individuals who wish to bring positive change across our society through philanthropic
acts like ‘food drives’ for the poor and vulnerable. We have been doing this
for the last two years on a small scale depending upon the budget we had.

We operate from a small shop located at
the Assi Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

How
do you acquire funds for your charitable assignments?

The contributions from our members form our primary source
of funding. We have also been reaching out for donations through social media
and WhatsApp. Good word of mouth across our locality has also helped us raise
funds for our cause.

About Pranav Singh

A
commerce graduate from Purvanchal University and MBA in Human Resource
Management, Pranav has been one of the founding members of the Assi Anna
Kshetra. He currently resides in Varanasi.

Read More

Synchrony provides 5000 masks to Hyderabad police

Financial
Services Company Synchrony has distributed 5,000 surgical masks to Hyderabad
Police to ensure their well-being while they have been at the forefront in the
battle against the pandemic.

 Synchrony, along with the Telangana police,
has been instrumental in enhancing security across Telangana with the
successful installation of 280 CCTV cameras across Hyderabad for surveillance
purposes. The company has provided almost 15,000 masks to the Telangana State
police since the outbreak of the virus until now.

 “Never before have communities where we live
and work been so important to us, and Synchrony is committed to supporting
them,” Mr.Andy Ponneri, Senior Vice President and Business Leader – India,
Synchrony was quoted as saying.

 “Synchrony has a long-standing association
with Hyderabad City Police, and we are grateful for their ongoing efforts in
keeping our communities safe.” he further added.

The
company has also been in collaboration with the Officer of Commissioner of
Police to impart soft skills training to police personnel to enhance their
communication and interpersonal skills.

Read More

Capgemini comes to the forefront in its fight against COVID-19

Capgemini has come at the forefront in its fight against the COVID-19 by distributing PPE kits, face masks, cooked meals, and face shields to help people with the pandemic.

A renowned name for consulting, technology services, and digital transformation. Capgemini has reached out to healthcare professionals, sanitation workers, and migrant workers with all the necessary aid needed by them in one of the biggest crises of decades.

The company has so far reached out to over 48,000
families providing them with all the essential items from cooked meals to
groceries.

Since its maiden appearance in the city of Wuhan in
China, Coronavirus disease has affected more than 3.7 million people across the
globe with over 2,64,000 fatalities to date.

Read More

Ambuja Cements and ACC Limited come together for COVID 19 relief work

Ambuja Cements Limited and ACC Limited have come together in their fight against the COVID 19, and have jointly contributed Rs 3.30 Crore to NGOs helping migrant workers, underprivileged sections, and slum dwellers affected by the lockdown.

Ambuja Cements and ACC have collectively decided to aid Goonj, Praja Foundation, and Mumbai Roti Bank by providing relief materials and essential items to vulnerable sections, especially to daily wage workers affected by the pandemic.

Today, India, like other countries across the world, is grappling with its worst public health crisis. In times like these, collaborative models are more effective in both containment of the disease as well as support for those whose livelihood and even survival is at risk. We believe that our contributions to these NGOs who are delivering grass-roots relief measures coupled with our own companies’ efforts on the ground working with local communities will greatly accelerate the scale and impact we will have.” Neeraj Akhoury, CEO, Ambuja Cements Limited, was quoted as saying.

The COVID 19 has so far affected around 2.9 million people across 185 nations, with more than 2,00,000 casualties and 8,88,000 recoveries.

Read More