12 Credible NGOs in Mumbai Changing lives of the Poor

India over the past few decades has grown significantly with urban areas thriving on the capitalistic roadmap. But alongside this rampant development was the growing disparity between the middle class and the lower class. As the middle class became wealthier the poorer class became even more poor and incapable to uplift itself organically. This gave rise to the need for the community to step in and take charge to uplift the poor. 

The setting up of institutions like Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), charities and reliefs is society’s stance on helping the poor and uplifting them from their suffering. 

NGOs in Mumbai

Mumbai is the financial capital of India. The revenue generated from the city alone has the capacity to run the massive state. Mumbai along with its wealth has given rise to some of the country’s most philanthropic individuals who have either donated or created infrastructure that would help the poor. 

The disparity between the rich and poor within Mumbai city has also become a significant problem with an increasing population of urban poor. Mumbai is the home to the world’s biggest slum which is located in the Dharavi area of Mumbai. The need for NGOs to help the slum community, educate and empower the thoughts is a must for the city to reach its peak. 

12 Credible NGOs in Mumbai Changing lives of the Poor

Mumbai currently has around 600 NGOs and NPOs operating within its ecosystem and looking to provide a certain semblance to the lives of the less fortunate. Mumbai, being one of the biggest cities in the country, gives rise to a generous amount of support for the urban and rural poor. There are many credible institutions that cater to a myriad of problems affecting our society.

Here are 12 NGOs in mumbai changing lives of the poor:

1. Udaan Foundation

The Udan Foundation was founded in the year 2009 with the objective of running foundation programs for underprivileged children. The programs would assess the capabilities and inclinations of the children that would facilitate school readiness. 

The secure and safe environment under which the children were provided with a foundation in language and other social skills would transcend into a better life for them in the future. Any donations made to the foundation would be used to remunerate the volunteers and workers of the institution.

2. Shraddhanand Mahilashram

Shraddhanand Mahilashram is a sanctuary for ladies over the age of 60. While the old age home provides free lodging for abandoned and impoverished women, it also offers paid services to those who can afford them. 

The main objective of the institution is to provide peace and comfort to the elderly whilst they journey through their final phase of life. Apart from providing basic amenities such as meals and a separate bed, the charity also employs a medical team to assist the elderly.

3. CRY (Child Rights and You)

CRY is a non-governmental organization founded in the year 1979 that promotes children’s rights via a variety of activities and projects. They are working on initiatives that provide free basic education, primary healthcare, nutrition, and safe dwellings away from violence and abuse. They accomplish this by collaborating with other grassroots organizations and communities.

4. Door Step School

Much like the name, Door Step School strives to provide primary education to the underprivileged kids by going right to their doorstep, which in this case is usually the streets or the slum areas within the city.

Founded in the year 1989, Door Step School has been providing education to children ranging from the age of 3 to 14 years with flexible class timings that would suit the children, rather than a regimented program.

5. Paryay

Paryay is a Maharashtra-based NGO that assists and supports rural populations. They work on a variety of topics and currently have programmes in place to address issues like children’s education and rights, village governance, capacity building, women’s empowerment, and land rights.

6. ATMA

ATMA is unusual in that it is a catalyst for NGOs working in the field of elementary education for children. They assist these NGOs in growing their capacity and serve as partners and mentors in ensuring that they achieve their purpose of providing high-quality education. They also have a large network of partners that provide all of the required assistance to these NGOs.

7. Teach for India

Teach for India is a massive initiative that was founded by Shaheen Mistry in 2009 with the aim of removing the disparity in education that exists between the upper, middle and lower classes of society. 

The initiative has now become a part of the Teach for All global network with fellowship programs offering jobs to freshers willing to give back to society. The experience shared within this massive institution betters the life of both the teachers and the students as the outcome of uplifting society is achieved. 

8. Apnalaya

The local disparity between the rich and the poor in Mumbai is massive which eventually boils down to inequality in opportunity. The poor are desperate and usually have very dysfunctional family dynamics. Domestic violence is a very harsh reality of life that exists at every level in society. 

Apnalaya is an NGO that caters to domestic violence victims especially those from poor backgrounds. The objective of the NGO is to provide support and advice to these victims so that they can generate the strength to fight and win their own battles. In order to bring about this change, the institution organizes many talks and seminars that help spread awareness.

9. Akanksha Foundation

The Akanksha Foundation is a public-private partnership initiative that is one of the biggest education partnerships operating within the country. The objective of the Akanksha Foundation is to provide educational services to the underprivileged that will help them maximize their potential and empower the kids, thus pushing them towards a brighter future. 

10. Foundation for Mother and Child Health

Since 2015, FMCH has been undertaking the Urban Nutrition Initiative in Bhiwandi. The initiative guarantees that women and children in the ‘First 1000 Days’ category are connected with their local ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) facility. The services include frequent development monitoring, the provision of reliable, accurate information, and assistance from the first day of pregnancy detection until the kid reaches the age of two. 

11. Neptune Foundation –

In 2010, the Neptune Foundation, a Mumbai-based NGO, was founded. They seek out homeless persons with mental illnesses who are walking the streets, take them in, and help them get treatment. They are reunited with their family once they have overcome their memory loss and have been healed. 

Neptune also provides for those patients who are unable to pay for their medication. They have rescued around 283 persons and reunited 183 of them with their families.

12. St. Jude India Child Care Centre 

Founded in 2006 by Nihal and Shyama Kaviratne, the Saint Jude child care center is now operating from 38 different locations within the country. This institution works with cancer-affected children and their families whilst looking to provide them with nutrition and emotional support.

Most of the children taking shelter at the care center belong to underprivileged homes who come to the city seeking treatment. Since they don’t have a place to live, they land up sleeping on the streets. The Saint John’s Child Care Centre accepts these children and families with open arms looking to support them during these unfortunate times. 

Summary

In a word, Mumbai has succeeded to establish a viable environment for the activities of several NGOs and NPOs dedicated to serving the greater good. Being the financial capital of the country, the city gives rise to some of the most charitable and philanthropic individuals the country has ever seen. Most people want to educate, protect, and raise society so that everyone has a chance to live a decent life.

The article looks to introduce some credible NGOs and NPOs operating within the Mumbai circuit. Philanthropy and charity are a major part of the Mumbai culture since it is the financial capital of the country. If you are interested in volunteering or giving, you may do so by visiting the Sakal Relief Fund (NGO for flood and disaster relief management in India) website.