A 12-year-old girl, Ridhi from Hyderabad has managed to raise nearly 8.3 lakhs under her initiative, ‘Care-ona’. The project is to help underprivileged families affected by lockdown. Ridhi is studying in 6th grade at International School of Hyderabad, ICRISAT. She is also a youth member of an NGO TEACares Foundation.

When she heard about the lockdown, she started a small initiative to distribute 200 ration kits to the vulnerable. She initially used her own pocket money and later penned down a heart-warming letter to raise funds from family and friends. The appeal became a huge success.

Ridhi’s mom Shilpa said, “She came to us one day asking if she can help underprivileged people buy basic supplies in this COVID-19 crisis. That’s how project ‘Care-ona’ started. She did her groundwork of what basic needs were, how much they cost and how long supplies last for a family of 4. She came up with items in a supply kit herself. When she saw more people interested in supporting her, we then talked to her about crowdfunding page Milaap. She immediately started an online crowdfunding campaign on Milaap, and wrote her story urging people to contribute towards her cause.”

Overall 2000 ration kits have been distributed to the people of Nadigada Tanda of Miyapur, and Chanda Naik Thanda of Madhapur and many other places in Hyderabad. Cyberabad police helped Ridhi to identify the most vulnerable people without ration cards. M. Venkateshwarlu, Addl. Deputy Commissioner of Cyberabad, Madhapur zone mentioned his gratitude to Ridhi for her initiative.

Further, Shilpa added that “Ridhis’ campaign with Milaap was a huge success. She managed to unite people for a cause and help hundreds of families even while staying safe at home with her family.  NGO TEA Cares Foundation also came forward to help her raise funds, procure supplies and help in packing.”

The foundation even put up a Facebook post with Milaap donation link saying, “it touched our hearts when we heard a 11-year-old say, ‘we are in this together’. We are pleased to support Ridhi in taking this initiative forward.”