Here is a very thoughtful and simple project, that can inspire all of us to give something back to society in our own special way:

Chota Daan -- a small group of peers agrees to donate one rupee a day by sacrificing something.  At the end of the month, they redistribute the money to all participants for doing small acts of kindness and sharing the stories.

It all started last Saturday, when lots of enthusiastic kids and moms gathered at my home to make their own unique piggy banks. The question then was how can kids collect the money by asking parents, grandparents and uncles and aunts.  But that was not enough -- children had to sacrifice something to earn money so each child decided to earn their contribution by committing to give up something for a year.  Here is the inspiring list of what those fifteen kids decided ... 

1) Arhaan: decided to give up  dried junk food for a year and no ipad --he is earning Rs 10 a day for it.

2) Anay: decided to press his grandfathers feet for five mins for RS 2.

3) Khushi: Clean room, books in order forRs 10

4) Krishna: would get Rs 10 for doing homework on time without troubling his mom and also putting his shoes and bag in place.

5) Shaurya: decided to give up Dominos Pizza,stop watching excessive tv,and finish homework for Rs 20

6) Agastya: Decided to make a movie ,and also to give up coke for Rs 10

7) Ishnaa: decided to eat her meals on her own and also wake up in the morning on her own , and chant with her mom everyday for Rs20 

8) Ananya: decided to take care of both her pets a fish and a dog  for Rs10

9) Vihaan: Decided to watch less tv and less ipad for Rs 10

10) Meher: decided to keep her room tidy and also do extra math homework for Rs5

11) Radhika: decided to keep her clothes in the cupboard and shoes also properly for Rs5

12) Krish: decided to give up Cadbury choclate for a year for Rs 10

13) Ishaan: decided to give up popcorn for Rs10

14) Shaurya: decided to keep his tiffin box in the kitchen on his own for Rs2

15) Ananya: has been on a mission to collect money frm her mom by doing some chores,so Rs1 for every chore.

The atmosphere was so charged up and everyone was happy. We told all the kids that they had to make 10 more bottles for their friends and keep the chain effect going on and make sure nobody breaks the chain .We plan to meet once a month to share each kids stories and also motivate others.  Shanti Asiatic School wants to introduce it with all the kids, and their teachers can come to listen and learn so they have promote it properly in their school.

Kids now have started thinking of how they will do their acts of kindness.  One kid wants to buy balls and distribute to street kids; one girl is making a stationary hamper for a poor girl in her class; one wants to feed dogs on the road; one plans to make sandwiches for all the gatekeepers; one wants to buy a car for people walking on the road.

They are all excited -- so now we will soon need Smile Deck for the kids tooo. :)  If you have any other ideas, please let us know as well.

Posted by Vandana Agarwal on Mar 2, 2014 | permalink