On a Sunday morning, the community hall at Smondo 2.0 apartment complex slowly filled with children carrying colour pencils, crayons, acrylic paints, empty cans, brushes, and sheets of paper. Around 15 children had gathered for a drawing workshop and Gullak activity with Goonj, and within minutes the quiet hall turned into a noisy, colourful space full of conversations and excitement
The children quickly settled into small groups with their friends, brothers, and sisters. Crayons moved from one hand to another, scissors and tapes were passed around constantly, and every now and then parents stepped in with reminders like, “sharing is caring,” whenever someone became protective about their colours or supplies.
As the drawing activity continued, the room became more lively. Children discussed what they wanted to draw, compared colours, and proudly showed each other their work. Somewhere in between, the conversation shifted to superheroes. While many boys paused to think, the girls instantly shouted names like Wonder Woman, Scarlet Witch, and Black Widow across the room, filling the hall with laughter.
Turning Empty Cans Into Gullaks
After the drawing session, the children and their parents were introduced to Goonj and the idea behind the Gullak activity, saving little by little, not just for themselves but for someone else too.
Children exploring their creativity while making gullaks
Soon, the boxes, containers, and cans that the children had brought from their homes started transforming into colourful Gullaks, small savings boxes that they would take back, fill over time, and later contribute through Goonj. The activity was designed to introduce children to the idea of saving with empathy, helping them understand how even small contributions can collectively respond to someone else’s needs.
Each child approached their Gullak differently. Some added wings to theirs, some covered them with candy wrappers, while others painted sunsets, flowers, stars, and night skies. A few even gave names to their Gullaks and proudly explained the ideas behind their designs.
No two Gullaks looked the same.
What stood out most was how seriously the children engaged with the activity once they understood its purpose. What began as a creative exercise slowly turned into a conversation around sharing, empathy-building, and thinking about others. By the end, many of the children promised they would continue filling their Gullaks and bring them back later, excited by the thought that their small savings could one day support children and communities beyond their own surroundings.
What stood out most was how seriously the children engaged with the activity once they understood its purpose. What began as a creative exercise slowly turned into a conversation around sharing, empathy-building, and thinking about others. By the end, many of the children promised they would continue filling their Gullaks and bring them back later, excited by the thought that their small savings could one day support children and communities beyond their own surroundings.
Thinking beyond the ordinary, beginning with a simple box
More Than Just an Activity
By the end of the session, every corner of the hall reflected the energy of the morning, colourful drawings spread across the floor, paint marks on little hands, open crayon boxes, and carefully decorated Gullaks placed proudly beside each child. What stayed was the idea behind it. Through something as simple as creating and filling a Gullak, the children were introduced to the thought of saving with purpose and thinking about someone beyond themselves.
Encouragement that nurtures creativity and shifts perspectives
About Goonj
Material shared by urban citizens and organisations is at the heart of these rural development stories. What lies idle in urban homes and organisations helps address material poverty — the lack of basic things needed for daily life. Goonj repositions cities’ unused material as a resource that supports community-led action with dignity, where participation becomes central to development.
Be a Stakeholder in our Work
Start where you are. Organise a collection drive. Begin a Goonj kee Gullak. Volunteer. Intern. Or stay connected through the monthly newsletter. Many ways to engage. One choice to make — take action.
More on www.goonj.org | Write to [email protected]
