EVERY year on August 19, World Humanitarian Day calls attention to people delivering lifesaving help & support in the remotest places and the most adverse of situations— and to the local leaders who serve those most in need. This year’s theme highlights “strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities” — a reminder that meaningful humanitarian impact begins with local leaders who know their communities best. Supporting them directly multiplies impact: small donations provide food, medicine, shelter, schooling, and the steady human presence that restores dignity.
We share six frontline stories from Indian leaders who rescued children from exploitation, brought schooling to island communities, created homes for orphaned girls, and gave abandoned widow mothers warmth, food and care. Each profile ends with a direct donation link so you can transform compassion into action in under two minutes. By giving today, you help keep shelter doors open, meals served, medicines stocked, and schools functioning — and you honour World Humanitarian Day by backing communities to lead their own recovery. (Source: United Nations World Humanitarian Day information). OCHA
Revathi — Vanavil Trust: Protector of children from nomadic
Revathi Radhakrishnan left a career in journalism and filmmaking after a heart-breaking loss. She found a malnourished baby from a nomadic tribe and tried her best to save her but sadly the baby breathed her last in Revathi’s arms. This convinced her she could not remain a bystander. Vanavil Trust rescues children born into nomadic and denotified communities — groups often pushed into begging, child labour and social invisibility — and offers residential schooling, nutritious meals, healthcare and emotional support. Revathi focuses on culturally sensitive education that restores childhood and dignity while preparing students for mainstream opportunities. Your support helps keep classrooms open, funds meals and pays for medicines and staff who provide trauma-informed care. If you want to give directly to Revathi’s work, Click here to donate.
Bipin Dhane — Ayang Trust: Educating tribal kids of Majuli island
Bipin left an overseas career to found the Hummingbird School on Majuli, a river island whose shrinking land and weak infrastructure threaten children’s futures. Ayang Trust combines resilient schooling, hostel facilities for out-of-area children, and community engagement so learning continues through floods and displacement. Bipin’s approach balances practical skills with foundational literacy and continuity planning — vital where seasonal crises interrupt schooling. Donations pay for school supplies, teacher stipends, hostel upkeep, and emergency learning kits that keep classes running during monsoon floods. Help the Hummingbird School by clicking here: Click here to donate.
Ashok Deshmane — Snehwan: Father to orphans of farmer-suicides
Ashok returned from an IT career after witnessing the human cost of agrarian distress in Maharashtra. Snehwan began by sheltering children orphaned after farmer suicides and has grown into a programme that offers stable homes, schooling, food, and vocational training. The organisation also plans new shelter homes to meet surging demand caused by drought and economic shocks. Your donation is urgent here: it funds meals, expands shelter capacity, and sustains counsellors and teachers who guide children toward stability and future independence. Support Ashok’s immediate expansion plans by donating here: Click here to donate.
Winnie Singh — Maitri India: Caring for abandoned widow mothers
Winnie’s work began with blankets and medicines — immediate comforts for widow mothers left exposed to cold, illness and isolation — and grew into ongoing home-based care and health coordination. Maitri’s volunteers provide medicines, warm clothing, home visits, and linkages to local clinics. Humanitarian action at this scale is relational: the regular presence of volunteers prevents crises and restores dignity. Your gifts buy blankets, medicines, healthcare checkups and community outreach costs so elderly women can live their remaining years with comfort and companionship. Donate to Maitri’s campaign here: Click here to donate.
Manju Singh — Guria: Saviour of trafficking survivors
Manju founded Guria to rescue young girls from trafficking and life in red-light areas, then provide aftercare that includes trauma counselling, legal support, schooling and vocational training. Anti-trafficking work requires careful coordination with law enforcement, child protection authorities and long-term aftercare planning so rescues do not leave survivors at risk again. Donations fund emergency rescues, shelter maintenance, rehabilitation counsellors, and education/vocational courses that help survivors rebuild independent lives. Support Manju’s lifesaving work by donating here: Click here to donate.
Col Mickey Uberoi (Retd) — Sant Ishwar Foundation: Build a future for girl children in distress
Colonel Uberoi brought organisational rigour to child rescue and rehabilitation. Sant Ishwar Foundation provides secure shelter, education and life-skills training for orphaned girls rescued from streets and vulnerable environments. Under his leadership, the foundation builds protective systems, ensures child safety protocols and combines structure with personalised care so girls regain confidence and plan for a future. Donations keep shelter operations running, pay teachers and counsellors, and create vocational pathways that lead to employment. To support Col Uberoi’s mission, Click here to donate.
As World Humanitarian Day reminds us, compassion multiplied becomes lasting change — your small act today can keep a shelter open, a child in school, or an elderly widow warm and cared for. Join us in supporting these local heroes: donate now to any of the fundraisers above and be the ripple that restores dignity, health, and hope to vulnerable lives. Every contribution matters — help sustain their work today.
Choosing to tread the proverbial road less travelled, Ramon embarked upon a career in journalism and spent over 8 years working for various media organisations. A deeper calling to create a sustainable impact in the lives of the less fortunate compelled him to join the social sector. Ramon is a minimalist at heart and an explorer in spirit.
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