GOONJ....
J- 93 Sarita Vihar,
New Delhi - 110076.

Tel. -  2697 2351, 4140-1216


E- Mail :-

anshu_goonj1@yahoo.co.in
anshugoonj24@gmail.com

Dear Friends :

Urmila died.. and you are still holding your old woolens, blankets & shawls in your Almirah..
Don't ask me who was Urmila ? Thousands of Urmilas die every year because of cold.

VASTRADAAN, our nationwide movement is primarily about making this basic need of clothing a matter of concern. Go to the best development sector websites or pick up any funding agencies brochures and you will find a range of issues right from domestic violence to global warming. Unfortunately clothing is never there in this list.

Thus our task is to first draw attention to this issue.

As a part of VASTRADAAN, we have been highlighting winters as an annual disaster for countless people who do not have enough to cover themselves. We are motivating people for our annual campaign RAHAT-WINTERS. Please contribute as much as you can.

We also found out about some new organisations/campaigns coming up with similar names like VASTRADAAN & RAHAT WINTERS. It makes us happy that people are taking up the job but its also puts extra responsibility on people involved with us. Please check the credibility of the campaigns & organisations you support. There is a little confusion right now since we can't afford the mass media to reach people but I'm sure, with time it'll settle down.

Till then enjoy the winters and do make a little effort to make it bearable for the thousands not so fortunate…

GOONJ will be marking 1st January as CLOTH DAY every year, highlighting the importance of cloth as a basic need. Let's start the new year by providing old/new clothes to someone needy..

With best,

Anshu

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

• RAHAT-WINTERS
  
  There is a significant increase in demand for woolens from all over the country. Contribute woolens, blankets & general clothing, organise collection camps in your offices, schools, colleges & residential areas. Blankets & mats are crucia l- do send us blankets or make monetary contribution so that we can buy this in bulk.
  You can also sponsor GOONJ.. mats made of old cloth, very useful in winters. Although available for as less as Rs 75/- a good blanket costs about Rs. 150/- & sponsorship of mat means Rs. 100/- per mat.
  (All contributions to GOONJ.. are tax-exempted u/s 80 G & we can accept FCRA donations also)
  
  

• MUMBAI MARATHON
  
  GOONJ has its operation in Mumbai now. We are looking at the upcoming Mumbai Marathon as an opportunity to announce our presence and raise initial seed money for our operations. Run for GOONJ.. be a part of our dream team or corporate challenge team or join us in Pledgers United.
  For more details contact Rohit (rohitgoonj1@gmail.com, Tel.- 9833237678/ 9322381600 in Mumbai) or write to us.
  

MUMBAI & CHENNAI OPERATIONS -

We are looking forward to organize awareness cum collection camps for VASTRADAAN & SCHOOL to SCHOOL in these two cities. We are still struggling for space and local transportation vehicle so any contacts on these fronts are welcome.

• GREETING CARDS
  
  Greeting cards: Do use GOONJ's greeting cards this festive season (made on 100% recycled handmade paper). Write back for E- catalogue..
  

• MEDIA COVERAGE
  
  Projects on Global Giving -
  GOONJ's 'SCHOOL-to-SCHOOL', 'CLOTH FOR WORK' & 'NOT JUST A PIECE OF CLOTH' initiatives are listed on the international online funding site.
  For our overseas supporters this is a great opportunity to get involved in our work.
  For more information please log on to :
  http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/1400/proj1331c.html, http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/1700/proj1627e.html,
  http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/1700/proj1628a.html
  

  The famous TIMES, UK (online edition) wrote about GOONJ after their correspondent recently visited us.
  http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,26015-2446415,00.html
  
  Catalyst, an upcoming magazine focusing on social issues dedicated the recent issue to social entrepreneurship. An article on GOONJ -
  http://www.afhd.org/issues/catalyst-issue3.pdf (page 29-30)
  
  Well known journalist Sucheta Dalal wrote a nice article on GOONJ -
  http://moneylife.in/CMS.nsf/AL3?openform&Life~TurningOldIntoGold
  

Your immediate support is needed :

• Operational support in Mumbai & Chennai – About 300 to 500 sq. ft. space, some office infrastructure & automation (old/new printers and photocopier) & small financial support as seed money for initial phase in these cities.
• Vehicle requirement in Delhi & Mumbai- To intensify our campaign in these two metros, a vehicle for material pick up is still a major hindrance. If you have any ideas/contacts on this please write/call us at the earliest.
• We are also looking for outlets/offices where we can place our small cash/ cheque drop boxes.
• Office automation equipment (New/old)- 2 computers & printers, one Laptop and a photocopying machine.
• Large quantity of one-side-used-paper for making notebooks for rural school children & commitment of your monthly old newspapers to make GOONJ.. self-sustained.
• We urge every women reader of this mail to commit at least one meter of new cloth every month apart from your old cotton clothes. Spread the message among your friends, colleagues & relations too. This will certainly make a big difference to the lives of women who are forced to use the worst available cloth or in some cases even sand/ash for this purpose.
  For details - Sanitary Napkins
• TEAM 600- GOONJ's lookout for 600 people who will be the core group of our strength continues. For more information on joining TEAM 600
• We are looking for reliable and active agencies, individuals and schools on the district level across the country to be trained and supported to replicate our model and systems on a micro level. We have already started this exercise in Jalandhar (Punjab), Nagpur & Amravati. Do write back if you would like to join us.
  

Our contact Details-

GOONJ..
Tel.- (m)-98681-46978, (o)-011-26972351
J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi-44
E-mail - anshugoonj24@gmail.com
anshu_goonj1@yahoo.co.in
Website-www.goonj.info