DOORSTEP SCHOOL
Door Step School is a registered charity that works with Mumbai and Pune’s most marginalised children and provides education to the neglected communities of slum dwellers, construction site labourers and pavement dwellers. I was lucky enough to spend 3 months as a volunteer for this excellent organisation from October 2006 through to January 2007.
I have seen at first hand the inspiring work that all the teachers and staff do – and enjoyed the tremendous spirit, energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved. Literacy has to be the long-term solution to minimise the appalling poverty in India which sits alongside the tremendous wealth and development happening in the cities.
The opportunities to participate in India’s tremendous growth story are well-documented but I think that financial services providers seeking to profit from India can do so in a responsible manner. Every building site representing an infrastructure opportunity will also create a temporary village of migrant workers with children unable to register for school. Every cement factory has a potential polluted river next door. In the short-term, supporting charities such as Door Step School is a way of putting back. Over the medium term, I am personally committed to a project for a socially responsible fund where the focus is on constructive active corporate governance, rather than on simply not buying fags or uranium! I don’t believe we can change things by sticking our heads in the sand and just refusing to engage with ‘bad’ companies. I’m always delighted to hear about any ideas, suggestions or opportunities in this space.
5% of all profits from HM Consulting will be donated to Door Step School. Please contact me if you would like to learn more or think you might be able to help.
