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GoBarefoot Blog

Connecting The Development Sector

A 9-5 Desk Guy on Weekdays and a Social Worker Beyond That

In the third story of #GoBarefootRealHeroes we are sharing the story of Vipul Maheshwari

The Start- 

I was always on a lookout to give something back to the society when I was in Dehradun for my under graduation. I visited special care homes, old age homes but the visits were far and scattered. It was one fine day, when one of my school teachers called me to inform that few school alumni are thinking of the possibility of opening a Rotaract Club and to do something for the society. I was not quite sure about how I would be able to contribute to a NCR based club from Dehradun but I still went for it. Together, we chartered Rotaract Club of Capital City New Delhi (RCCND) in 2015.

The Journey

Initially, I was only focused on planning side of events and projects from Dehradun and was waiting for my on-ground experience. It came, and what a feeling that was. During my winter breaks- me and my friends zeroed in a Slum in Ghaziabad and started a weekend school. We started teaching about 40 kids. The classes were scheduled on weekends during school times and daily during winter and summer break.

From 2015 to late 2017, I switched three cities- spending my time in Dehradun, Trivandrum and Ghaziabad but I was always connected with the club helping in whatever way I can.

When I finally settled in Ghaziabad in 2017, things finally started to kick off.

I started investing my weekends for various social causes and started to grow and each passing day enhanced my vision of what I want to do to make a difference.

 It was in Mid-2019, when I was instated as a President of RCCND and I began shaping my vision into ground activities. In the past seven months- I have spent 2-3 hours daily after of office hours (a TCS associate) and my weekends completely working for various causes. We started a Sunday school in Jhilmil Industrial Area under the banner of Project Jhilmil and started teaching kids there. We right now, teach 64 kids, taking care of basic educations, Personality Development and stationary needs.

We started a project to empower Acid Attack Survivors under the banner of Project Veerangna. Under the project, we are closely working with 11 acid attack survivors. We shot their Profile Videos to bring their stories to the world and are working for their Personality and Skill Development. We got, one of the survivors enrolled in a Professional Certification course of her choice.

Project Sangiene (Sanitary+ Hygiene) was introduced under which we developed a 6 session plan to create awareness about Menstrual Hygiene in slums, government schools and foundations.

We also run other short-term projects time to time and make visits to Orphanages, Old Age Homes, Blind Centre, Special Care centres and Cancer centres to make donation and spend time with the inmates.

The Road Ahead-

The club which started with 15 members has now grown into a family of 64 with 33 members joining since Mid-2019. We are also coming up with new projects focusing on mental and emotional health of kids apart from carrying ahead with our existing projects.

I was initially hesitant, if I will be able to make sizeable contribution to the cause I wanted to work for with my professional life running parallel. I have successfully juggled between the two for about 3 years now and I want to achieve more. My passion is what drives me and as far as a goal is concerned i have none. Because a GOAL has its LIMIT, PASSION has NONE.

We,at Gobarefoot hope that people get inspired from Vipul Maheshwari’s story
and come forward to help the society just like him.

10 thoughts on “A 9-5 Desk Guy on Weekdays and a Social Worker Beyond That

  • March 17, 2020 at 6:53 PM
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    That’s what a true leader looks like, without a doubt a big source of inspiration. Keep up Vipul Maheshwari, we’re all so proud of you! 🙂

    Reply
    • March 31, 2020 at 2:48 PM
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      Thank you for your kind words Shivangi.

      Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 11:26 PM
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    Amazing… Miles to go ahead….

    Reply
  • March 17, 2020 at 11:27 PM
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    Amazing..miles to go ahead….

    Reply
  • March 24, 2020 at 1:59 PM
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    Well planned ,well deserved story.
    We at Children Toy Foundation work for social,emotional and intellectual development of children specially for those who can’t access to games of varied interest particularly board,card. Games.
    We can someway join with our cause.

    Reply
    • March 28, 2020 at 2:43 PM
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      Hi Devendra,
      It will be our pleasure!
      Please provide the contact details so we can connect.

      Reply
    • March 31, 2020 at 2:51 PM
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      Thank you Devendra!! Would definitely would like to discuss this with you. Me and my team time to time make visits to such institution and spend with kids and make donations. Please let me know how can I reach out to you and discuss

      Reply
  • March 24, 2020 at 10:08 PM
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    I read all the documents including Development sector and Environment. I did my MBA in 1999 and after that did various work including including field work, marketing plus report making.

    Reply
  • March 24, 2020 at 10:11 PM
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    I read all the documents including Development sector and Environment. I did my MBA in 1999 and after that did various work including including field work, marketing plus report making

    Reply

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