A Thousand Residents, One Shared Purpose
In SBIOA Unity Enclave, a housing community with over 1,000 residents in Tamil Nadu, a remarkable thing happened during Joy of Giving Week (JGW): a simple idea became a sustained movement.
When tenants first heard about Goonj’s work and the vision behind JGW, 6–7 residents stepped forward. Not official leaders, but everyday people who turned into extraordinary volunteers.
“We understood Goonj’s idea, and we wanted others to experience the joy of giving too,” said one volunteer.
From Awareness to Action, Volunteers Mobilise the Community
These volunteers didn’t just post about the drive; they knocked on doors, explained the cause, and inspired residents with the purpose behind their participation.
- Door-to-door pickup services were arranged, enabling the elderly and differently-abled to contribute with ease.
- Volunteers set up informational checkpoints across pathways, engaging passersby and turning casual conversations into meaningful contributions.
Operational Excellence, Even During Lunch Breaks
Even during breaks or when some team members stepped away for meals, others stayed back to keep the camp running, ensuring no one missed a chance to contribute, and the energy never dipped.
By the end of the initial collection drive, 50+ households had participated, contributing a full truckload of material.
Going Beyond a Single Event, A Month-Long Movement Begins
Not content with a one-off initiative, the volunteer team extended the drive across an entire month. Their next step?
- Setting up a permanent Goonj Corner inside the apartment complex for continuous drop-offs
- Planning a visit to a Goonj Center of Circularity to understand how their efforts translate into dignity kits, development work, and disaster response
“We want to learn, see the backend, and do more,” shared a volunteer team lead.
A Joyful Reminder of What People Can Do Together
The SBIOA Unity Enclave story is more than a successful JGW campaign; it’s a blueprint for people-powered change.
Through consistent effort, inclusive participation, and genuine belief in the cause, this group of volunteers transformed a housing complex into a community of contributors.
They didn’t just contribute. They demonstrated that action multiplies when led with empathy and ownership.
I have also created a sense of community and unity within SBIOA Unity Enclave that will likely continue to flourish in the future.
Residents having a conversation at Goonj Corner Setup
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..
