Jai Vakeel 2019-20

The Jai Vakeel Foundation works to help the 26 million Indians with intellectual disabilities, who suffer due to a lack of relevant services like educational curriculums, that should help their impaired intellectual and adaptive functioning regardless of age, race, gender, social status or mental ability. Partnering with the Chanakya Foundation, a couture embroidery design house, Jai Vakeel has created a wrist band to celebrate inclusion, with a message to “come be a part of the story, wear our band, inspire others and build a movement.” These bands are made with recycled sustainable threads and fabrics, by the enterprising women at the Chanakya school of crafts, in their efforts to give them an independent future.

 

The CAS Fete gave us the opportunity to raise funds for the Jai Vakeel Foundation. We brainstormed ideas and games for our stall, which was initially quite a daunting task. All of us contributed in some way, through cutting, drawing or painting, to helping make decorations. We raised awareness about the bands before the Fete to pique student interest, and encourage people to visit our stall. Our games included “Spin the Wheel” where the loser must perform a dare - a remote-control car racing and ring toss activity. Through the Fete, we adjusted our game to suit the players who ranged from toddlers to grandparents, and even offered discounts to encourage participation.

 

 

We raised Rs. 22,000 and sold Inclusion bands worth Rs. 79,000. While we wished we could have sold more bands, we were still able to meaningfully contribute. Learning important skills of teamwork, communication and salesmanship, we forged close bonds taking initiative for the greater good.