Touching lives via social networking

By now we have all heard and read about the multifaceted aspects of social networking sites. From gaming to learning, from business to meeting long lost friends, we have experienced it all.

However there is one group that helps spread awareness about non-profit organisations and charities around the world. Network of Single Professionals (Nesp) is a social networking and fund raising group that was created to help raise awareness for NGOs around the world. Since its formation, Nesp has organised a series of interactive charity-themed events at a variety of hotspots around the world.

The organisation is basically dedicated to providing business and social networking opportunities, while connecting and engaging contemporary single professionals with non-profit organisations and charitable causes. “The organisation was founded in Washington, DC in 2007. While travelling across the globe, I have witnessed a lot of poverty and injustice which has made me want to help make a difference in the world. I wanted to help people while bringing others together,” said Rachna Kapur, Nesp founder.

The Mumbai chapter of the organisation will be launched on October 16. They will be collecting donations for the Touching Lives Welfare Trust (http://www.touchonelife.org).  The organisation is involved in community development programmes. They also run an education centre in suburbs for children living in slums.

The NGO was founded in 2003 and its purpose is to touch the life of the underprivileged. “We focus on building our resources through the efforts of our members to provide succour to suffering human beings,” said Sonia Mackwani, founder-director of Touching Lives.

She added, “We believe it is not that we are serving the needy, but it is completely our need to serve them. We invite professionals who want to make a contribution to the society. Pupils and students are also welcome to offer their services by doing an internship. We work at the grassroots level and intend to touch lives in better ways in the years ahead.”

Talking about the social media platform that helps NGOs reach out to people and promote their cause, Sonia said, “There are many people who want to do something for society. Under the banner of social networking sites, they can be brought together. In fact thanks to the portals we have been able to present our work and thoughts.”

The organisation has not only raised thousands of dollars in donations, but has also gathered clothing, spectacles and canned food. They have organised a series of interactive and charity-themed events such as charity raffles, happy hours, weekend trips, date raffles and theatre events.

“After launching the Mumbai chapter, we plan to launch Nesp-Toronto and Nesp-Philadelphia, the plans are to expand as much as we can. In turn, raising awareness and donations for charitable causes, while bringing single professionals together,” said Rachna. Nandita Kapadia and Nitesh Jain are organisers for the Mumbai chapter.

“I see Nesp growing in a big way across India, in the same way it has spread across the US. For instance, I saw the Nesp Mumbai chapter on Facebook grow to 300 members in the first two days itself. We plan to hold a Nesp event every month and we are sure to grow stronger with each event. We have already started planning local chapters in key cities,” Nandita Kapadia informed. Actor Gul Panag is one of the supporters for Nesp India.