At 73, Alka Damle Ji doesn’t believe in starting new things for the sake of doing more. She believes in doing well what already exists, and doing it with heart.
Her journey with Goonj began in 2007, when she attended a session in Delhi led by Anshu Gupta. Something stayed with her. Years later, back in Goa, she reached out to the Goonj team. She was in her early 60s. She didn’t wait for a blueprint. She just began.
“I always wanted to give back. But I also knew I didn’t want to create something new. I wanted to support something already working well.”
Action with Rhythm, Not Rush
Alka started organising cultural events, clean-up drives, and collection camps across Goa. She picked up a broom herself. She moved from town to town, setting up collection spots.
Transportation? She often paid for it out of her own pocket or with the help of friends and local supporters.
Her efforts filled multiple truckloads of sorted, dignified material. Yet, not all parts of Goa were easy to access. The distance between North and South Goa made coordination a challenge.
After COVID, she decided to focus her efforts closer to home, South Goa, where she could continue working meaningfully without logistical strain.
Facing Limits, Asking for Help
With time, the physical work of sorting and loading became difficult. Her storage partner, a well-known local shopkeeper, helped with space, but even then, volunteer support was missing.
“For three years, I found it hard to manage truck loading. So I asked for help.”
She reached out to Goonj and today, volunteers arrive a day before truck days, helping her sort, stack, and move.
Beyond the Camps
Alka’s contributions go beyond logistics. She’s also been a connector.
She organised 3-4 public sessions with Anshu Gupta, including one at a college in Vasco. She also regularly directs overflow contributors to other groups like Sampurn Earth.
“Sometimes, people reach out after the camp is over. I always make sure their intent doesn’t go in vain.”
What’s Possible
Despite her consistency, Alka has seen limited traction with schools, often told there’s no time due to academic schedules. Volunteer numbers in Goa remain low.
She’s clear-eyed, not cynical. But she does have one wish:
“It would be wonderful if Goonj had a centre in Goa.”
Not for convenience, she says, but for continuity. So the work she’s started doesn’t pause when she one day must.
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..
