Of out-of-the-box ways to help with earthquake relief

City-based organisation Paperman, is giving residents an option to donate towards relief efforts.

As the world comes to terms with the extent of devastation caused by the earthquake in Nepal, concerned citizens are devising ways to help from afar. While some have donated money directly, some others seem to be thinking out of the box.

City-based organisation Paperman, which connects residents with over 200 wastepaper marts to pick up their paper, plastics, metal and glass waste for recycling, is giving residents an option to donate towards relief efforts.

According to founder Mathew Jose, residents have the option to donate the proceeds from the waste they sell off for relief activity. “We work with 21 NGOs like Sevalaya and Bhumi, so this was something we wanted to get into as well, by giving people a ‘trash funding platform’,” he says.

Ajitha M. just finished school but has decided to go back, with a purpose. While volunteering for Paperman during her break, she convinced her school Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ashok Nagar to donate their paper and plastic waste to generate funds.

“We collected 100 kg of waste and raised Rs. 500. I am now organising a similar drive in my apartment complex in Vadapalani and at my church this weekend too,” the 18-year-old says. She has kept a personal target of Rs. 5,000.

It has just been two days and around 20 people have signed up to contribute so far. Mr. Jose says the target is Rs. 1 lakh in two weeks. “We will send the proceeds to the authorised government relief fund,” Mr. Jose adds. The website (paperman.in) promises donors a mail copy of the transfer of funds.

Residents can either visit:www.paperman.in/

rebuildnepalor call 8015269831 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Vital contribution

Meanwhile, car drivers at an apartment complex in Kilpauk decided to donate blood to aid relief work in Nepal. D. Prakash, a driver, said: “We wanted to reach out to those in distress. 47 of us donated blood on Saturday. We have written to the Lions Club of Egmore to help take the blood units to the injured in Nepal.”

Residents who sell various kinds of waste material via Paperman have the option of donating the proceeds to relief work