Mumbai: ‘Positivity Project’ is the brainchild of six friends in their early 20s who wanted to do something for the society. The members of the group now get together every Sunday and visit orphanages, old age homes or any local NGO, mostly in the Mumbai North area, where they can be of some help.

The founder, Komal Shah, thought of the initiative during one of her regular hiking trips. She recalls, “We had a whatsapp group where we would plan our schedule and go hiking and trekking every weekend. I realised that we could do something good for the society and bring about change rather than simply talking about it. So every Sunday, we now visit an orphanage or any NGO that is doing good work. The experience has been overwhelming.”

The ‘Positivity Project’ was born in July 2014 and so far the group has mobilised Rs 70,000 in cash and donated it to over 60 NGOs in the city. One of the members of the group has now shifted to Bangalore and is spreading smiles there too.

What started as a project by six friends, now has over 170 members across the city. They continue to look for volunteers who are interesting in giving two hours of their time to those deprived of love and care.

Volunteers of the group feel that while a lot of people donate money in this city, compassion cannot be measured only in monetary terms. “In a city like Mumbai, there are thousands of NGOs and trusts, but what those in orphanages and old age homes want is love and time. Without that just donating money is a shallow gesture,” Komal adds, DNA reported.

Volunteers who are a part of the project spend time playing games, reading books and giving dance lessons to the children in the orphanages. “After I started coming here, all my worries have gone away. Seeing these people smile is such an exhilarating feeling. It is the best part of my weekend,” said Smit Shah, who joined the group in December last year.

Priyanka Shah, who is the favourite among the kids, believes that she gets to relive her childhood days along with them. She says, “We have grown up so fast. I don’t even remember my childhood. Coming here after spending our days in a corporate set up takes me back to the old days. Not just that, playing and spending time with these kids has made me a better and humble person.”

To become a care giver at the ‘Positivity Project’ contact Komal Shah at ‪98194 72026. You can also message them on Facebook