The best financial opportunity: pay it forward
It’s very hard to construct the profile of a donor to Life Global Australia. Occupation is highly variable: from businesswoman to yoga instructor, from copy writer to computer analyst, from psychologist to IT consultant, and from student to retiree. As a result, income is widely varied. Likewise, age is not a defining characteristic: some are over 70, some as young as 12. There are, however, some common factors: all are Australian, all are conscious of being in a position of privilege, and all see that privilege as an opportunity.
Several LifeGA donors are members of the ex-pat Indian community in Australia. In its nascent days, some learned of the charity directly through its founder, Dr Dipti McGowan.
Deepti Jajee first learned about LifeGA and in-country partner charity, Project Life, when Dr McGowan invited her to visit Gujarat, India, to see their work firsthand. As a result of her visit, Ms Jajee, an IT Consultant, has funded five women to complete the Women’s Empowerment Programme, and her husband, Raghu, has funded a further five. She is firmly convinced that when a woman is empowered, her whole family is uplifted.
“I’ve always believed in the idea of teaching a man to fish rather than simply giving him one,” Ms Jajee said. “It’s incredible how this simple concept can have the power to transform lives.”
Like her friend, Dr McGowan, Ms Jajee grew up in a family that believed in helping others.
“My mother instilled in me the value of gratitude and taught me to always show compassion for those who are less fortunate.”
Bina Gorasia was inspired to act after learning about the effects of the Women’s Empowerment Programme. Her Indian heritage gave her significant insight into the predicament of the women entering the programme. After meeting Dr McGowan, the businesswoman became interested in LifeGA’s work with women.
“I come from a culture in which women are not given opportunities,” Ms Gorasia said. “The Women’s Empowerment Programme gives them the strength to change their lives.”
Ms Gorasia was impressed by the extent of the programme, which reaches out to impoverished women, often in remote areas, and provides skill development and personal advancement. The women are educated and given the opportunity to start their own enterprises in various trades such as sewing, embroidery, catering, beauty and computer operations. Further than that, though, they are given training in self defence, gender equality, banking, budgeting and finance.
Kamini Patel was also drawn to the Women’s Empowerment Programme. Curious about Dr McGowan’s motivation and the work of the charity, Kamini went to the LifeGA website and did some research. On her birthday, Ms Patel asked friends and family to donate to the programme instead of buying her gifts. She committed to match the total donations made. The first to donate on that day were her daughters, aged 12 and 14, who raided their piggy banks to contribute.
“Donating to LifeGA is an opportunity for us to help families become independent and for me to ¬¬¬¬-set an example for my daughters that, when we can, we should help other women. It is important to me that women can be self-reliant. I have had the privilege of being independent since finishing my studies and I know what living life with confidence feels like.”
Importantly, though, LifeGA’s effectiveness is known well beyond the Indian diaspora. Some of the first people to accompany Dr McGowan on the charity’s annual philanthropic trip to India had never seen Gujarat. Sustainability consultant, Rachel Thompson, is now one of the charity’s Directors, and experienced philanthropist, Geoff Anson, is Chair of the Advisory Board.
Former teacher, Jane Elliott, has not been to Gujarat, but was immediately interested in the charity when she learned of the Indian connection. Ms Elliott had instigated a service trip for students from the independent school where she taught to southern India. Through a colleague, she learned of an institution in Tamil Nadu that provided lifetime education and support for people born with significant disabilities. Students and teachers on the bi-annual trip worked for a week at the privately-funded sangam, digging gardens, painting classrooms, supervising homework and helping with physical therapy.
“When I retired, I lost that access to meaningful service. With a reduced income, I could no longer afford to travel so far,” Ms Elliott said.
When she learned of the rigorous standards and proven results of LifeGA, Ms Elliott knew immediately she had found the answer.
“With its experienced in-country partner, LifeGA can transform the small amount of money I can afford to give into a big change in a community.”
Businessman, Chirag Panchal, became a donor through the intersection of his corporate and community interests. He believes it is everyone’s responsibility as human beings to support each other, especially when we have the ability to make a real difference. He wants to help LifeGA build a school. Incredibly, LifeGA’s partner, Project Life, has built 10-classroom earthquake-proof schools for A$250,000.
“Education is a basic right, but in many remote villages of India, it’s still a privilege. We are building a school to provide access to quality education for children who currently have no reliable facility to study. A school in their own village will give them the foundation for a brighter future, break the cycle of poverty, and uplift the entire community.”
For Mr Panchal, donating is not just about money.
“This is bigger than just building a school – it’s about building futures. It’s about hope. We are fortunate to live in a place with opportunities – others aren’t as lucky. I donate because it’s a way of giving back.”
Mr Panchal believes passionately in LifeGA’s vision to support, sustain and enrich lives through working together.
“When we join hands, we multiply the impact,” Mr Panchal said. “Even a small contribution to LifeGA can go a long way. Together, we can light up a generation.”
www.lifeglobal.org.au
