Google Goes MAD in Delhi

Make A Difference (MAD), an Indian NGO actively working in the field of education of orphaned kids, got a worldwide exposure when the technology giant Google entered into a three-week long collaboration with them. As part of this collaboration, Google will be conducting a three-part workshop for NGO kids and teach how they can foster entrepreneurship using Google products.

The first leg of the three-part workshop was held recently, on 12th September, where children of class 11 and 12 of the Arya Anathalaya participated. In the workshop, boys were told two things: the importance of dreaming big and that anybody has the ability to make the impossible happen with a single, brilliant idea.

Mentors from Google offices across the world, namely Colombia, Lithuania, USA and India, interacted with MAD’s group of children and made an effort to teach them as well as understand their lives.

With guidance from Google mentors, the kids learnt the nuances of entrepreneurship and enthusiastically participated in activity where they had to brainstorm over their own entrepreneurial idea and prepare the Business Model Canvas.

In the next two weeks, the remaining workshop sessions will be conducted. In the second session, children will learn how they can use various Google tools and products to maximize their productivity and efficiency. In the third session, Google mentors will help kids with their communication and presentation skills; post which children would have to formally present their business ideas in front of the Google collaborators.

290 youngsters from Delhi volunteered at 6 shelter homes across the city to teach, mentor and guide 387 children at risk. Apart from this, 50 more volunteers organized events and campaigns to generate funds for the cause.

About MAD

Make A Difference is an NGO that empowers children living in orphanages and street shelters to discover their true strengths and unleash their full potential. Volunteer profiles range from Ed Support Teachers, working with a class of ten children and teaching English, Maths, and Science, Propel Volunteers, counseling and guiding children for a right career, Discover Volunteers, conducting activities to broaden the career horizons of children, and Fundraising Interns, raising funds to support education for children. Across 23 cities in India, around 2000 volunteers reach out to 5000 children living in shelter homes.

MAD is the winner of the Ashoka Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition 2008, and was nominated as the best Medium Category NGO in the Indiya Shines initiative organized by GreatNonProfits.com in 2009. MAD is also a Noble Laureate of the Karamveer Puraskar awarded by ICongo and finds appreciation as a global fellow of YouthActionNet, Cordes Fellow 2010 and the winner of Dasra Peer Capital. MAD was further awarded the World Summit Youth Award last November and was named ‘Leader in Volunteer Engagement’ by iVolunteer.