Summary
Shishu Sarothi has been established in 1987 and has since become a leading regional institution on disability matters. Services have expanded to reach thousands of children with different developmental disabilities across Assam, neighbouring states in NE India and even beyond. Ever since its humble beginnings, Shishu Sarothi has celebrated its foundation day. During the last two years this has been impossible due to the Corona pandemic. Imagine their joy when this year the celebration could be resumed. Two weeks of intensive preparation resulted in the celebration of the 36th Foundation Day on 1st May 2022. It was a day-long celebration where fete, cultural programmes, games, food, and concert were organised. The chosen theme for the day was 'Butterfly' - spreading its wings to finally fly after a gap of two years.
Tips and lessons learned
1. Team work
2. Active participation
3. Achievement of goals
Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation
This is a very good example of an annual event that offers activities to attract different target and age groups, thereby serving various purposes. A yearly event is not only a suitable occasion to raise awareness about one's work, but it is also great for attracting new donors and cementing relationships with existing donors.
Details
Short description of the organisation the funds were raised for
Established in 1987, Shishu Sarothi is a leading not-for-profit organisation working with a proven track record in the area of early intervention and rehabilitation, education, livelihoods, advocacy and awareness as well as protection of rights and legal aid for children and persons with disabilities in North East India.
Their vision is an inclusive world where all people with disabilities — children, women, and men — enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with others, are respected for their inherent dignity, and valued as a part of the human diversity and humanity. Their mission statement speaks of upholding and advocating for the rights of children and persons with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities, promoting their inclusion and full participation in a non-discriminating barrier free society. The organisation's resulting objectives are:
- To provide appropriate and innovative therapies & interventions that facilitate and maximise potential and enable inclusion and full participation of children and persons with disabilities as equal and contributing members of society. - To create a cadre of trained human resources and undertake research studies to build knowledge and understanding about disability in general and developmental disabilities in particular.
- To sensitise all stakeholders, ensure implementation of legislation, facilitate redressal of grievances thereof and to influence policies vis-a-vis persons and children with disabilities.
- To habilitate/rehabilitate children and persons with disabilities in a manner that will help them achieve their full potential and promote livelihood opportunities, through appropriate and inclusive education and development of life skills in an equitable, barrier free environment.
Short description of the project or programme the funds were raised for
Shishu Sarothi did not raise funds for a special project or programme, but for the whole of their activities for children and persons with disabilities in Assam and NE India.
Summary of fundraising action
Apart from collecting donations from individuals and sponsors for gifts and food items, Shishu Sarothi also fundraised from the guests, in the form of a coupon card priced at a nominal rate. With the coupon cards, the guests were able to play games and enjoy food. Moreover they sold their in-house handicraft items, block-printed paperback, notebooks, cakes, chocolates, and artwork made by the children. In all, Shishu Sarothi received 266 donations, including 120 from new donors (excluding a few of the guests who purchased coupons).
Objectives
1. Awareness raising
2. Donors engagement
3. Team morale, fellowship
Targeted donors
1. Individuals
2. Corporates, officials
3. Local neighbourhood
Results
| Cost/benefit |
National currency (INR |
Euro |
| Total amount raised |
588,850 |
7,295 |
| (-) Total amount invested |
182,000 |
2,255 |
| Net amount raised |
406,850 |
5,040 |
Accounting details
Donor database, visibility, media coverage and branding
Description of preparatory work
1) Creative design
2) Posting regular updates of the event on social media
3) Meeting donors
4) Coordinating with vendors
5) Decoration
6) Media engagement
Description of implementation
Shishu Sarothi formed four committees. Each committee took responsibility right from decoration, catering, cleaning and organising the event. The communication and fundraising team were actively involved with artist management, social media influencers and updates. The account and fundraising teams were responsible to prepare a new database of donors, getting the coupons done. The communication team also got involved with media for maximum coverage. Board members helped with possible donors and sponsorships.
Follow up: Donor appreciation and acknowledgement
Thank you mail sent the following day
Plans to repeat the action
Yes
