Yevvi - A Social Welfare Catalyst

Imagine if every organization and individual could tap into the collective knowledge and experience of others in the social welfare space. That's what we're building here. By bridging gaps and facilitating cross-collaboration, we help you avoid reinventing the wheel and accelerate your progress.

The learnings and nuances involved in each type of project are unique. For example, getting volunteers for a camp requires a different strategy compared to raising funds for a flood-hit locality. This distinction is crucial because the success of any initiative often hinges on understanding these specific needs and tailoring approaches accordingly.

Volunteers are the unsung heroes of social welfare. We connect organizations with dedicated volunteers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Our goal is to help find the right people for a project's needs so that the team can focus on changing lives.

Funding is the lifeblood of any social welfare project. That's why we're there to help people secure the resources needed to make a difference.

Our golden rule! We won't undertake more than one project with the same team in a financial year. We're all about sustainable impact, across areas and teams.

Need tech expertise? Resource connections? Or just a helping hand? We're here to provide whatever support that is needed to execute your project seamlessly to make a difference in society. Think of us as a concierge for social welfare – we'll help navigate any obstacle and achieve your goals faster.

• If a school needs a library, we'll set one up!

• If a library is short of books, we'll supply them.

• If a library needs a tutor, we'll help find one!

• We'll assist with sanitation or guidance needs within a community.

1. One project per organization in a financial year.

   Or else, we might start working with the same team and slip into a level of complacency.

2. We select projects requiring one-time assistance.

• Sivakumar (aka) Pangali for starting the butterfly effect

• Kumanan from Karka for the initial push

• Myna and Raja Vijay for procuring and distributing oxygen concentrators at the peak of COVID-19 when there were so many risks.

• Veni Vallinayagam, Latha Rajkumar & Latha Ganesan from San Diego, for creating the "Laddus for a Cause" campaign and raising funds for Yevvi.

• Bhumi and Dr. Pragalathan for their help with crowdfunding

• Suhail for setting up a website for Yevvi during Covid

• Dr. Regi George from Tribal Health Initiative for his idea and execution of buying Cows for the migrant workers who had come back home (Refer to the project section for details)

• Parthiban Anna and Team from G18 for doing ground work at the peak of Covid to identify the needy. (Refer to the project section for details)

May 19th, 2020 - Cheapuk & Triplicane - Groceries for 50 Families

During the first COVID lockdown in 2020, I was one of those lucky who could Work From Home and have the security of a monthly salary, despite the lockdown. However, some so many people couldn’t work, lost their livelihoods, and struggled to put food on their plates.

And that is when I bumped into Kumanan via a friend of mine on WhatsApp. Kumanan and Karka have been a guiding light for us all these years, and I believe the small stuff we did with him in 2020 and 2021 planted the seeds of Yevvi deeply in my mind.

During the first lockdown, we thought of doing something for those people who were struggling hard. Karka team helped in buying some Grocery Supplies and distributed them to about 50 families in Chepauk and Krishnamapettai, Triplicane.

Also, this was the first time, the name Yevvi was used.

May 19th, 2020 - Gladden Home - Grocery for a Month

There is a home for 14 Children located at Kovilambakkam, Chennai called Gladden Home. Due to COVID-19, their regular sources of funding had dried up and we bought groceries for a month for those children.

16th June 2020 - Royapettah - Grocery for 33 families.

Yevvi along with Karka again bought groceries and distributed to 33 families in Royapettah who are struggling for their livelihoods due to the Pandemic.

In both these distributions on May 19th as well as 16th June, it was Kumanan and their team who were able to arrange the logistics for groceries, identify the needful, and distribute on the ground.

Sometimes we realize that giving Groceries is something that an initiative of our size can’t fulfill. Hence, we thought is there a way of creating some self-sustaining method for at least a few people? And that’s when we came up with the idea of giving push-karts to people who have lost their jobs. At least they can buy groceries, vegetables, or something else and ply their trade in the streets as most of the traditional establishments have closed their trade.

On July 19, 2020 - Five carts were bought and distributed to a list of 5 people identified by the Karka Foundation.

After the first lockdown, things kind of started getting better. But the second wave of COVID was even stronger and the causalities were more. The month of May 2021 was one of the worst in Tamil Nadu, we were losing lots of lives and it was depressing.

This was when Myna Rajan, Karthik Vishwanathan, and Sathish Mayil decided to spring into action. All of them had the urge to do something, can we do something to save at least one life the thought. And they decide to buy Oxygen Concentrators.

With the help of Bhumi, an NGO based out of Chennai, they were able to organize a crowdfunding cause for Yevvi and raise some money. After some heavy work in the field by Myna Rajan and Raja Vignesh. 5 Oxygen concentrators were bought and given to a couple of Primary Health Care centers. Finding the concentrators and delivering them was a challenge and credit must be given to Myna and Raja Vignesh for doing it.

By the time we distributed them in May 2021, the Government also had sprung into action and parity was being restored. Hence, we thought to take a backstep, a wait, and watch of things unfolding.

After successfully distributing oxygen concentrators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we sought a new challenge to make a meaningful impact, for the Government machinery sprang into full action to alleviate the shortfall and stepped in all places to make the situation better

That's when we connected with Dr. Regi George from Tribal Health Initiative, who introduced us to a unique opportunity to empower sustainable livelihoods in Sitilingi. What Dr. Regi George and Dr. Lalitha Regi (Gi and Tha, as they are fondly called) is an inspiration for Social Welfare reformers all over the country. The Tribal Health Initiative is one of the wonderful organizations they have created, we will talk about them in detail sometime in the future.

Many migrant workers from Sittilingi had returned to their villages due to the lockdown, leaving them without a steady income. Dr. Regi proposed a simple yet effective solution: providing cows to generate a steady income through dairy farming. This approach would not only provide a temporary solution but also equip families with a sustainable livelihood.

We partnered with SOFA (Sittilingi Organic Farmers Association) to purchase 10 cows, distributed on interest-free loans to the families. This initiative offers a sustainable livelihood for families, providing a steady income for approximately six months, and allowing them to regain stability and independence.

Impact

• 10 families empowered with sustainable livelihoods

• Steady income generated for approximately six months

• Interest-free loans provided through SOFA

• Enhanced food security and nutrition for families

• Opportunities for skill development and entrepreneurship

  

Our Gratitude

We thank Dr. Regi George and the Tribal Health Initiative for their inspiration and guidance. Your work is a beacon of hope for social welfare reformers nationwide. We also appreciate SOFA's collaboration in making this project a success.

G18 Trust is a non-profit organization based in Peelamedu, Coimbatore, that has been working for over 25 years to support marginalized communities. When we reached out to them for help with our COVID-19 rehabilitation efforts, they readily agreed to collaborate.

Despite the pandemic, their team worked with the Coimbatore Differentially Abled Association for Women and their network to identify 15 individuals in need of support. They then visited each of these individuals personally to understand their needs

After some homework, along with G18, we identified three beneficiaries that we decided, and we wanted to help.

Project 1: Sewing Hope: Enabling a Differentially Abled Entrepreneur

A differently-abled woman with LD (Learning Disability) had to close her tailoring business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted her livelihood. Her husband also lost his job and they were finding it difficult to put food on the plate for their two children as well. As recommended by G18, Yevvi chipped in getting a sewing machine, enabling her to revive her business

Project 2: Sweet Opportunity: Empowering a Differentially Abled Couple

A differently-abled couple, who previously earned their living by preparing and selling popcorn packets on the roadside and in street markets, lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were unable to continue their business due to restrictions and safety concerns. To help them get financial independence, a proposal was put in place to provide a sugarcane machine, enabling them to start a new venture and generate income. Yevvi helped in procuring the Sugarcane machine for them and the logistics and distribution were taken care of by G18.

Project 3: Cleaning Services by Women: Empowerment through Entrepreneurship

Two women from Peelamedu, Coimbatore, were identified to be empowered to start their own cleaning services business. Through this project, they will receive training and upskilling in cleaning techniques, business management, and customer service. Additionally, they will be provided with the necessary equipment and infrastructure to launch their business. By supporting these women in becoming entrepreneurs, we aimed to reduce their reliance on others, boost their confidence, and create a sustainable model.

After COVID-19, which had created multiple lockdowns, quite a few teachers at the Government School in Anchetty who had got their transfer order, were waiting for the lockdowns to stop. Unfortunately, they were allowed to leave just a couple of months before the annual exam.

There was a shortage of teachers in the school which had approximately 1606 students, out of which  Tenth grade, Eleventh grade & Twelfth grade had 309, 430, and 298 students. The headmaster was trying to manage this unconventionally by roping in people who had completed their teacher training for two months.

For a cost of approximately Rs.85,000, which Yevvi funded, they were able to pay the teachers and teach the students as well. The students also scored well and all of us left happy.

Thesathirkku Thool Kodu, 202224

Desathirku Thol Kodu 2023 was a 3-day event that brought in various individuals and organizations working in the realm of social welfare and socialized them to make an even greater impact in their communities. The program was conceived and organized by 3 different organizations, namely G18, Thaai Arakattalai & Yevvi. Parthi Anna, Sundaramoorthy Ayya, and Mayil Sathish from these organizations worked to invite people from various other organizations and their capabilities.

The event was organized on Sept 30th, Oct 1st, and Oct 2nd, across Kovaipudhur, Peelamedu, and Vaavipaalayam.

Proceedings - Day 1

The event kicked off at Shanthi Ashram, Kovaipudhur, which was founded more than 30 years ago by Dr. M. Avram. Beginning with Prayers of Peace from various faiths which reinforced the message of ‘பயிற்சி, முயற்சி, தொடர்ச்சி, வெற்றி, மகிழ்ச்சி‘. Participants learned about Shanti Ashram's initiatives, including the 'Sarvodaya' project empowering women, the 'Bala Shanti' program for children, a 'Knowledge Bank' encouraging savings, and a 'Food Bank' for the needy. Vijayaraghavan Anna's session on 'The 6 Thinking Hats' and Dr. Vino Aram's talk on 'Is success progress?' were highlights, along with contributions from other inspiring speakers, including Kumanan from Karka.

The evening session kicked off, at 5 pm, with a cleanliness awareness campaign, distributing pamphlets on the dangers of single-use plastics, waste segregation, and waste management, concluding at the G18 Center. At the G18’s center, an open and utilitarian space, hosted introductions to various social initiatives. Pudhuvai Saravanan, who runs Samugam Social Service Trust, shared his work on giving proper burials to animals and public campaigns. Doctors Net India, coordinated by Aravindhan and Abirami, explained about being a knowledge center, guiding the needy to the right places for healthcare. Shrekanth and Banu, founders of Bio Enzymes Entrepreneur Academy, discussed their eco-friendly lifestyle. The first day showcased inspirational stories from various people/organizations and was an invaluable learning experience.

Proceedings - Day 2

A flower-giving session at the G18 Center kicked off the day, followed by Parthi Anna's overview regarding the seven pillars of G18. Various coordinators, including Geetha, Rajeswari, Krithika, and Yogaraj, shared their roles and contributions. Prof. Vijayaraghavan sponsored refreshments, and Hatharbee discussed about mental health, debunking misconceptions, and discussing physical, mental, and social health projects. The session concluded with insights from Sathish Kumar - Nature Photographer, Mr. Mahendran - Assistad Director, Divya, and a discussion on duty and psychological resilience by Baalu Ayya of Naloor Vattam.

In Pongalur, the event was hosted by Dr. Sathya and Dr. Padma of Satya Eye Hospital, with inspiring stories from Vishwanathan, a third-year MBBS student, and RJ Dongry David of Radio City. Pongalur school staff and students introduced themselves, and Senthil Anna and his family were honored for their environmental and animal welfare work through Senthur Trust.

Proceedings - Day 3

Nestled amidst trees, Sundaramoorthy Ayya’s tranquil house in Vaavi Palayam was the place of the final day event on Gandhi Jeyanthi and Kamarajar’s Death Anniversary. The day began at Vaavi Palayam’s Primary Care Hospital, established by Sundaramoorthy Ayya through Thaai Arakattalai, followed by community work of setting a pavement and demolishing a dilapidated hut. After observing a Gram Sabha discussing government schemes and waste disposal issues, the group returned to Sundaramoorthy Ayya’s place where leaders and activists, including Mrithula Natarajan, Baalu Ayya, and Ve. Muthuramalingam, spoke. CPS Vairavan received a commemorative book, and Aathur Selvam, who had traveled with Nammalavar discussed preserving natural farming methods.

Parthi Anna engaged the youth with questions about Gandhiji and Kamarajar, followed by a lunch with various personalities for insightful discussions. Kovai Sadasivan shared his philosophy on nature conservation. Despite a reluctance to leave, Mayil Sathish concluded with a call to think critically and engage in leadership discussions, marking the end of a memorable event filled with learning and community service.

The event had many memorable moments learning activities and representation from a multitude of organizations. The takeaways were many. The givings were even more!

In December 2023, severe floods ravaged the southern region of Tamil Nadu, mainly ravaging Thoothukudi, Thiruchendur, and the areas along the banks of the Tamirabarani River. The disaster flooded many places and left many families struggling to secure basic necessities including food.

Anguished by what happened, Muthukumari, a school teacher from Aruppukottai, took the upon herself to do her best to support those affected. She coordinated efforts, gathered contributions from compassionate individuals, and initially provided relief materials to around 40 people.

When Yevvi learned about these efforts, we partnered with Muthukumari to extend the reach of the relief initiative. Through the meticulous planning, and coordination of Muthukumari and her team, with some fundraising from Yevvi, a Relief kit.

Project Details

Relief kits including the below items

100 Relief Kits prepared.

Project Impact

• Distribution date: December 26th

• Mitigated the needs of 110 families in Anna Nagar and Kamarasanallur areas

Our efforts were bolstered by the support of local community members who played a pivotal role in identifying underserved areas and facilitating the efficient distribution of relief materials. They also provided transportation and covered fuel costs, ensuring that the relief items reached their destinations from Aruppukottai without delay.

At Krishnagiri district in a remote tribal area, at Anchetty Government School, a wonderful initiative took place this summer (April 2025). As 145 students prepared for their 10th standard public exams, the dedicated teachers, eager to see their students succeed and score well, decided to organize special evening classes. Their commitment truly made a difference

These special classes ran from February 15th to April 8th, providing students with focused, extra study time. Knowing that a good meal is essential for concentration and learning, the teachers arranged dinners for the students at a nominal rate of Rs.2.50 per idli from a nearby shop.

However, the teachers needed support to sustain this effort. They reached out to the Yevvi Team for some of the funds they couldn’t raise. At Yevvi, we were moved by their dedication and attention to the detail that empty stomachs can’t concentrate. Seeing their efforts, we decided to help.

The exam results spoke volumes about the students’ hard work, and the teacher's passion. The pass percentage for both 10th and 12th standard students soared to 88%, marking a significant improvement from the previous year.

What happened at Anchetty is a testament to what can be achieved when people come together passionately with a shared goal. It highlights that educating children is not only about academics; it's about creating an environment for children to read, be free, express themselves, and much more. We are happy to be a small part of this inspiring journey, celebrating the collective effort that led to a successful and heartwarming result.

Hope3 Foundation is a remarkable organization from which even companies can learn about project management, seamless remote working, and producing passionate and curious people.

Saying they have given scholarships to more than 125 students doesn't do justice to their dedication and hard work. They have harnessed the power of the internet and a passion for educating the youth. They mentor students, help them understand the basics of math and science, and teach them how to succeed in this competitive world.

In 2024, as part of their journey to empower and enrich more students, they launched a program called Rough Cut Diamonds. As the name suggests, they selected around 20 students from various parts of Tamil Nadu. These students have the potential, desire, and ability to put in hours of hard work for this program.

These young minds have enrolled in a college in Karaikudi to pursue a B.Sc in Computer Science and a B.Sc in Visual Communication. The students will receive specialized mentoring and additional classes from Hope3 volunteers worldwide, equipping them with essential programming skills. The ultimate goal? To ensure they not only complete their degrees but also secure meaningful employment, paving the way for a brighter future.

A crucial element of this transformative journey is access to technology. Since they are majoring in Computer Science, computers are essential regardless of the course. To communicate with volunteers from distant locations, a laptop becomes vital. To provide them with powerful computers at an affordable price, Hope3 Foundation decided to acquire second-hand laptops, each costing around Rs. 20,000. Laptops are only a part of the program's costs; other expenses include traveling across Tamil Nadu to select these students, bringing them to Karaikudi, and accommodating them.

Hence, they were looking for some assistance, if possible, for getting laptops to these kids. When we at Yevvi learned about this remarkable initiative, we decided to contribute in any way we could. Thanks to many generous souls, we were able to arrange the funds to purchase 10 laptops, each one a vital tool for a determined student.

We believe the impact of this contribution is profound. With these laptops, students can fully participate in their coursework, complete assignments, and hone their programming skills.

As these students began their academic journeys, equipped with the knowledge and tools they needed, they carried the support and encouragement of an entire community. Their success is not just a personal triumph but also a victory for everyone who believes in the transformative power of education.

The introduction of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) has sparked intense debate across India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. While lawmakers and politicians navigate the controversy, we must focus on supporting our students in preparing for this crucial exam.

Two remarkable students, excelled in their studies, cracked NEET and joined Government Medical Colleges, no mean feat, for they have to compete against students who undergo professional coaching. And those two kids apart from pursuing Medicine, which in itself is a hectic course, went on to coach a few more students to crack NEET.

They are not stopping there, they want to reach more students. One of the biggest challenges facing children, especially students studying in Government Schools, is the lack of material in Tamil for NEET Entrance preparation. Hence these kids have taken it upon themselves to translate all the past question papers of NEET in Tamil and give it as a Mobile App to the students.

A Mobile app has been built by the Hope3 team for this. However, there is a monumental task of extracting the questions from past papers, sorting them, translating them into Tamil, and loading them into the app. Yevvi has been trying to solve it for almost a year now. After some struggles, we seem like we are making a headway. A beloved friend of ours has succeeded in using LLM to translate the questions, what is left to extract questions from past papers, sorting them, and loading them into Excel for translation.

Let’s hope we do it soon enough so that more students can use the tool to crack the entrance exams and pursue their dream of studying medicine.

Semmenchery, Chennai, is like the Dharavi of Chennai. It's a place where people from all over the city are relocated whenever there's construction of bridges, flyovers, or other projects. Although it's a good initiative by the government to provide people with their own homes (even if they are quite small), it has overcrowded the area with people of similar skill sets, making it difficult for them to find jobs.

With joblessness and no direction, the youth often get diverted and end up in the wrong places. How can we attract these whyoung people and set them on a path where they can shape their future? We can't just tell them to study or do something. The first step is to engage them and earn their trust. How do we do that?

That’s where Kumanan and Karka, who have been working extensively in Semmencherry and Kannagi Nagar came up with a Brilliant idea.

Karka had signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Perumbakkam Arts & Science College, which is located on the border of Semmenchery, and they were able to work with the college administration to construct the ground.

With the help of some wonderful good souls, Yevvi is partnering with Karka to get this project up and running.

A barren piece of land is slowly transformed into a Kabbadi Ground

All of us working on this project sincerely believe this will bring in focus, discipline and synergy in the lives of all those young folks.

And we don’t stop there, we want to train these students with skills that get them employment and build a new future.

We are only halfway through the project and need more funding to complete it.

Gokul and his friends have started Iyal (இயல்), a foundation, which aims to create a positive impact amongst students.

Giving Back to Society

Though they have just finished college and beginning their careers, this group of friends, who are alumni of Hope3 Foundation, have chosen to give back to society through the Iyal Foundation, a non-profit organization they have founded.

The Beauty of Iyal

The name "Iyal" (இயல்) is a Tamil word that embodies the harmony of nature, creativity, and livelihood. It symbolizes the balance and beauty that can be achieved when we align our lives with the natural world and nurture our creative potential. Gokul and his team have chosen this name to reflect their commitment to fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their surroundings.

புரிதலை நாடிய பயணம் / Journey of Discovery

Their first project, 'Journey of Discovery' (புரிதலை நாடிய பயணம்), aims to educate 60 students from 9th standard across two government schools in Ooty and Erode. This initiative demonstrates their dedication to empowering young minds and creating a positive impact in their community.

Project Impact

• 60 students will benefit from hands-on science education through electronic kits

• Improved understanding and visualization of science concepts

• Enhanced problem-solving skills and critical thinking

• Exposure to modern computer technology at a nano level

Project Details

• Duration: August 15th to April (until annual exams)

• Sessions: 2-5 hours, with 1 in-person school session and 3 online sessions per month

• Kit cost per student: ₹800

• Total budget: ₹48,000 (funded by Yevvi)

By supporting Iyal Foundation's initiative, we believe we can empower young minds to explore the wonders of science and technology!