If there is one thing that the people of Kerala has learnt from the month of August, it is the power of coming together as one to work for a common goal. With the state and its people on the road to recovery after the recent flooding that has caused huge devastation in terms of human lives and property, the citizens of Kerala continue to be on their toes to rebuild their lives.
Jofin Joseph, a 30-year-old professional based out of Kochi, is one among the many citizens who are still on the ground doing their bit to help the state to get back on its feet.
Towards the end of August, Jofin along with a few other friends, after having visited the flood-affected areas, came up with an idea to collect small appliances and utensils – which he feels is the need of the hour for various affected households – and distribute them to the affected areas.
“Many households have utensils and spare electronic devices like a mixer or an emergency lamp which they have received gifts or which they are not using. We decided that we can collect these items and hand it over to the affected people who are really in need of these items,” Jofin tells TNM.
Jofin and his friends decided to start an initiative called Koodorukkam (Build a nest) a couple of weeks ago and put up a Facebook post announcing the initiative. In no time, support began to pour in from all corners of the state and as well from outside.
“This initiative is all about the idea of coming together and sharing and that is something I believe that the floods taught us. It showed us the power of people uniting for a common goal,” said Jofin.
It’s been just a week since the website, koodorukkam.in, went live and Jofin tells us that more than 1,500 items have been pledged by people from all across the state.
Jofin believes that this volunteer-driven initiative is more like a gifting platform where people come together to share whatever they have to the people who need them and he says that all the devices that they collect will be gift wrapped and handed over to the people that need them.
“Even if we are collecting and giving only a few items, the items are of high value,” he says.
“Another important feature to be noted about the initiative is the transparency that we will be following. Each and every donor will be given an ID number and from the website, they can come to know where their donations have been handed over to,” added Jofin.