Hy Local Guides,
Today is celebrated and viewed as World NGO Day (February 27th). This day is to acknowledge the works done by Non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They have been part of our community to reduce and address the issues such as environment degradation, poverty, inequality, lack of accessibility, etc…
This day originally came to be in 2010 on The Baltic Sea NGO forum and the first International Celebration came in 2014.
How Google Maps Helps NGOs?
I am an active contributor to iNaturalist, a Non-profit NGO platform to identify plants and animals for science and conservations. Recently I came across How iNaturalist uses Google Maps platform to support Conservation efforts.
Let’s meet a NGO, NADI Foundation and hear how Google Maps helps their organisation.
@Jicksonpunnoose, @Snehapadayan and @PrabinPB together run the NADI Foundation. Prabin is the Founder of the organisation while Jickson, Sneha and Kesavan Namboothiri are the Co-founders.
Nadi Foundation is a dedicated non-governmental organization working across four districts in Kerala. With a strong commitment to social change, the foundation primarily focuses on three key areas: tribal education, mental health, community and youth empowerment and Women empowerment & Gender Equality.
- What is NADI foundation?
Answer : Nadi Foundation is a dedicated non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to uplifting communities with a strong focus on four key areas—tribal education, mental health, and community and youth empowerment. It has four chapters in Kerala, with an aim to bring sustainable change and growth to different sections of society.
Key Focus Areas
-
Tribal Education - “Prabhodhini” : Prabhodhi is a project which focuses on enhancing access to quality education for the students of Puravimala Tribal settlement by providing classes on basic English, Maths, Hygiene and Health through games and activities.
-
Mental Health - “Kappiness Mental Health Cafe and Therapeutic Center” : Advocating for mental well-being through awareness campaigns and support programs, workshops, counselling sessions, art therapy, dance therapy and different services for individuals in need. Collaborating with experts to reduce the stigma around mental health. This is also the first Mental Health centre with Cafe. To more about them, please Visit this post.
-
Community and Youth Empowerment -“ Youth for Action” : Engaging young individuals in leadership and skill-building initiatives.Supporting community-led projects for self-sustainability.Encouraging active participation in social development and advocacy programs.
-
Women Empowerment and Gender Equality - “Mattam” : an initiative where talk shows and awareness classes are conducted to promote women empowerment and gender equality to the public.
- What does NGO day mean to you and how you think we can work towards a more equitable Society?
Answer : NGO Day is a reminder of the critical role non-governmental organizations play in fostering social change, advocating for marginalized communities, and addressing systemic inequalities. It is a day to recognize the tireless efforts of organizations, which work towards improving lives through education, mental health support, and community empowerment.
From the perspective of an NGO, building an equitable society means ensuring that every individual—regardless of their background—has access to opportunities, resources, and basic human rights.
- How do you think local guides can be used as a tool for social impact and promoting social causes?
Answer : Local guides play a crucial role in community development, awareness-building, and social advocacy. From an NGO perspective, they are valuable assets who can act as bridges between communities and organizations, ensuring that initiatives reach the most vulnerable populations effectively. Their knowledge of local traditions, issues, and geography makes them essential in promoting social causes and driving grassroots change.
Local guides are more than navigators; they are change agents who can mobilize communities, facilitate education, respond to crises, and advocate for social justice. NGOs should actively collaborate with them, recognizing their potential to create lasting impact. By this, we can build a more inclusive, resilient, and equitable society.
- How do you think Google Maps can be used to support and Amplify the work of NGO and how it helped your foundation?
Answer : Google Maps has proven to be an invaluable resource for NGOs like Nadi Foundation, enabling efficient program execution, outreach, and accessibility. As an organization conducting multiple initiatives across tribal, coastal, and urban communities, Google Maps has played a crucial role in planning, coordination, and visibility.
NGOs often operate across geographically diverse and remote areas. Google Maps helps in navigating these locations, identifying the best routes, and ensuring timely execution of projects.For beneficiaries, partners, and volunteers, Google Maps makes it easier to locate the NGOs offices .
- What message would you like to share with others on this NGO day?
Answer : On NGO Day, we celebrate the tireless efforts of organizations and individuals working towards a better world. It is a day to recognize the power of collective action, compassion, and resilience in addressing the pressing challenges faced by marginalized communities. As an NGO, we believe that meaningful change begins at the grassroots level. NGOs play a crucial role in bridging gaps, creating opportunities, and advocating for those whose voices often go unheard.
Thank you Nadi team for giving us such a wonderful interview.
Share such stories of any NGOs that made impact with the help of Google Maps in the comments.
. We local guides are also doing intiativea like beach cleaning works like an ngo or nfo!
