#FundAhamBhumika - Make a difference

If you could make a difference, would you?

Something that always worries me these days is the endless stream of demoralizing images that we are exposed to today via social media - of poverty and violence, victims of persecution and the malnourished.
I always fear that we end up getting numb to the suffering and feel that since sorrow exists all around us, there is no point making an effort because that effort will be a mere ripple in the ocean around us.

I don't blame you for thinking that way - I know I would (and have) felt that way too on many an occasion. But that does not mean we give up on our own humanity. Just because we are not able to help every child in the world does not mean we stop trying to help at all.

Aham Bhumika is an NGO in Bhopal, a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. The group comprises of housewives, engineers, tourist guides, teachers and government employees among others.


They run a rural preschool of 40 underprivileged rural kids in Borda; a village 17 kms from Bhopal. The parents of these children sustain their families by working on brick kilns and construction sites as daily wage labourers and are illiterate. To assist them while they are at work, this rural preschool accommodates their children.

In order to continue giving education to these 40 children and keep the school running, Aham Bhumika requires INR 14,000/- (nearly $215/-) per month. That is less than 5 and a half dollars per month for a single child. To help them and the children who will benefit from this, a bunch of bloggers decided to bring awareness about their needs to the public.

So how can you help?

The obvious answer is financial but how about if you got something in return besides goodwill? Because these talented artists at Aham Bhumika do want to give back as well.
So what do they have to offer you?

Hand painted shoes. Click here to check out all the full extent of their creativity and talent. 

Hand block print Quilts. Check the set here.

Embroidered sling bags. Click here for the full set. 

Hand embroidered cushion covers

The list of various items you can buy from AhamBhumika include:
1. Hand painted shoes.
2. Quilts.
3. Artwork and Paintings.
4. Hand embroidered sling bags.
5. Cushion covers.
6. Bed sheets.

Via the EMBROIDERY PROJECT, AhamBhumika looks to turn this under-resourced section of the society into a self- reliant one. The augmented earnings through embroidery and other skills taught have a direct bearing on their quality of living as well as affording better education and healthcare for themselves and their siblings.

All proceeds from the sale of these items go towards the education fund.

How can you pay? 

Aham Bhumika has many ways in which you can share your support.

• You can send your monetary contribution through cheque/demand draft favoring:

 ‘Aham Bhumika Swayam Sevi Sanstha’ payable at Bhopal.

• For net banking, the details are:

Aham Bhumika Swayam Sevi Sanstha , 

SAVINGS ACCOUNT NO.- 2073101015874

IFSC Code- CNRB0002073, 

Bank - CANARA BANK, 

Branch - MAHARANA PRATAP NAGAR, BHOPAL 

If you're doing a online transfer to the account, please send them an email  (id at the end of this post) with your name, address and donation amount, so that they can send you the receipt.All donations are Tax Exempted under Section 80-G of Income Tax of India. For more details, click here.

Besides money, How can I help?

Well, I am glad you asked. Because the kids really could use your help. 

• If not money, you could gladly help by donating old clothes, toys, footballs, skipping ropes, bicycles, books and even grain. There are collection centres established in Bhopal for the same.
• You could contribute that most precious thing - time - as well and be there as a volunteer if you want to help brighten the children's lives, even if it is just for a single day.
• Help spread the word so that more people can become aware.

How can I get in touch with AhamBhumika?

Simple. By any one of these options:

• Their website AhamBhumika.org
• Their Facebook page
• Twitter:  @AhamBhumika 
• E-mail:  ahambhumika@gmail.com

It costs Rs 350/- to keep a single 

child in school for a month. 

Or as you and I know it, 

the price of one large pizza. 

I asked you at the beginning whether you would make a difference if you could. Well, that really is the crux of this post. There are more than half a dozen ways listed here by which you can help these children. At the end of the day, they deserve the same opportunities we had as kids - to attend school, to learn and to become the best they can be.

Let's see if we can help them achieve that goal. 

Authors note:
All images are courtesy Aham Bhumika’s Facebook page.