Concern India Foundation

Background
Started in 1991, Concern India Foundation supports development-oriented organisations working for the disadvantaged. CIF's simple mission is "helping people help themselves", indicating that they work towards empowering individuals to overcome their vulnerability and not just provide temporary relief.

The Concern India Foundation works closely with more than 100 NGOs to bring about changes in the lives of destitute and orphaned children, abused women, under-trial prisoners, the disabled, the aged, and victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Activities
CIF identifies potential projects that fall into the broad gambit of education, health, community development or the environment, and raises the funds to support the project. In Hyderabad, CI supports projects such as the Taralaxmi Home For The Aged, the Dangoria Health Center (Medak) - providing paediatric and gynecological facilities to nearly 10,800 individuals annually - and Aashirwaad, a residential transit school for child workers.

Fund-raising at Concern India is carried out via donations, sale of greeting cards/stationery, fund-raising events, souvenir advertisements, corpus donations, and through the child art exhibition that is held every year.

Volunteer Opportunities
Cash donations can be made in favor of "Concern India Foundation", and mailed to the branch office (donations are tax exempt). Non-financial donations are also welcome. As a volunteer, you can participate in their fund-raising by selling greeting cards or identifying potential fund-raisers for their projects.

Although Concern India is a small office in Marredpally, it is much better equipped than most other NGOs, in terms of infrastructure and staff. As you speak to the volunteers, it becomes apparent that 13 years of experience in the field holds them in good stead. Concern comes across as a "smart" office - with a certain air of professionalism permeating its activities.