RAHAT in GOONJ’s parlance is about reaching relief in some natural and man made disasters across the country. The word disasters usually brings floods, earthquakes, tsunami’s, cyclones etc to mind.. BUT what about winters?? In the absence of adequate shelter and clothing, isn’t winter also a disaster for a person.

One doesn’t have to go too far away to find out if this is true or not.. Try stepping out late at night in December without a sweater or a warm clothing and you will know what we are talking about..Now imagine spending 2-3 months like that. Here is a disaster, unlike others, precisely predictable, as a matter of fact an annual phenomena with clear documentation of time, period and impact. Even then… where is the documentation of deaths, suffering or remedy. It’s because we don’t consider winters a disaster, because we in our comforts in the cities don’t feel it, can’t see it..

Now think what may be happening in the most far flung villages of India, especially northern India, where winters are quite intense. The night temperature in many areas must already be touching single digit figures, becoming quite unbearable at night. No wonder then that many people in the villages of Bihar dig a pit in the ground, put some dry grass in it and make their kids sleep in it, to save them from the biting cold.

Every winters GOONJ initiates RAHAT Winters campaign in the cities of India, making people more aware about this ignored but predictable annual disaster for the poor. We all have wardrobes full of clothes and we don’t know who to give to.. When you take out woolens for your family this time, please take time out to separate woolens which went unworn last time. They may be meant for better things, like saving someone from suffering this winter..

The campaign is already in full swing but it still has a lot of scope for participation and growth. And this is where we need YOU.YOUR participation in our work can truly help in 'Making Clothing a Matter of Concern'

What else can you do-

a. Organise a RAHAT Winters awareness cum collection camp in your locality. Reach the material at the GOONJ office. We will be happy to provide publicity leaflets and guide you BUT you need to take the lead..

b. In your office, ask your colleagues, friends to get together and have a collection camp and reach the material to the GOONJ office. We will be happy to provide leaflet soft copies, some awareness films etc. to spread the word.

c. Take time out with your friends and do night distribution of clothes and woolens around your area. Call us to find out how you can do this. Read what people (who have done it), have to say about their experience. Volunteer’s speak

d. Sponsor some blankets and woolens to send to village India.

e. For more options you can log on to our volunteer options page.