Harare, Zimbabwe – Aashu Donei from India captivated attendees at the Africa Leaders Conference, hosted by Good Deeds in Zimbabwe, with a compelling presentation on “Building Community Resilience.”
The conference, held under the theme “Advancing Community Resilience through Doing Good,” provided a platform for insightful discussions and shared experiences.
Donei, a prominent figure in India’s social sector, shared the inspiring genesis of the ‘Joy of Giving Week’ – a unique initiative born from a desire to foster philanthropy in India.
He recounted, “Sometime in 2007, 2008, some people who were interested in the social sector in India got together and asked themselves, how do we increase giving in India?”The answer, he explained, lay in celebrating the act of giving.
“India is a land of festivals, so we love to celebrate… So somebody came up with an idea saying that, look, giving is so important, so why don’t we celebrate giving?” This led to the inception of the ‘Joy of Giving Week,’ a volunteer-driven movement that has since transformed the philanthropic landscape in India.
Donei, an active volunteer with the initiative, highlighted its significant impact within India. He noted the ambition to expand its reach: “But we’ve not really taken this idea to outside India.”
His presentation sparked considerable interest among the African leaders, hinting at potential collaborations to adapt this successful model for community resilience building across the continent.
The exchange underscored the power of shared knowledge and innovative approaches in strengthening communities globally.
