My journey with Goonj began back in 2013, after watching Anshu Gupta ji’s interview on NDTV. I was already working in the development sector in Ahmedabad, but something about Goonj’s approach – treating material as a tool, not charity – struck a deep chord.
Inspired, I started small: collecting sarees. I gathered over 50 of them during my first campaign. That experience taught me a surprising truth – many women in underserved areas hadn’t even seen sarees of 5.5 meters in length. The dignity of choice, variety, and quality mattered.
In her first drive, over 50 sarees were collected, sorted and folded, laying the foundation of her journey with Goonj.
Later, I came across Goonj’s “100 Stories of Change” book and found deep resonance with stories from the grassroots. The idea that ordinary people, when trusted and respected, could drive change stayed with me.
In 2017, I organised my first public collection drive. It exceeded all expectations. With support from my husband, we packed and dispatched two full truckloads of contributions. That experience taught me that when you create space for people to give meaningfully, they show up.
For years, I personally bore transportation costs, until support from Cygnet Infotech Pvt. Ltd. allowed us to scale. Today, I manage four active public collection centers and coordinate over 10–15 institutional drives including IIM Ahmedabad and other reputed schools. These numbers keep growing, but what stays constant is the intent behind each collection.
Even now, I visit the centres myself — sorting, packing, loading, and ensuring the materials move to the main hub. I continued volunteering even during health setbacks, including a long period of bed rest in 2018. Because for me, this isn’t just volunteering. It’s a way of life.
Today, as a CSR consultant and full-time volunteer, I carry Goonj with me – in identity, in values, and in action. Contribution, I’ve learned, isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about showing up — again and again. – Falguni Trivedi
Two full truckloads were packed and dispatched that day.
Be a Part of Change
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
