The Joy of Sharing

I guess it started in 2008, when i exchanged business card with someone travelling from Bangalore. His visiting card had his name embossed in braille. I learnt that he himself did it, and there was a purpose behind it.

First and foremost was to share his learning with the visually challenged by teaching them braille.

Later, facilitate them to earn their livelihood by creating avenues. Creating avenue was important as the possibility of earning a livelihood in the organized sector is very low for the visually challenged. A simple and innovative act of getting the visiting cards braille enabled helped the blind to earn his living.

The unusual act drew my attention and initiated a spark of sensitivity towards the less/not sighted. And here, i think, the third purpose was also met.

Since then I was keen to learn braille and contribute to the cause, not knowing how. The blind schools in Delhi could not help me on this front. One day, my eyes stopped on this post on Face Book “want to learn braille” and i ensured that i will not let go the long awaited opportunity. 

Here, i met Nidhi, the crusader behind an NGO – Esha, people for the blind. Learning braille was quick, in less than 20 minutes, and in just one session.  

I also realized how a small act of “training a blind on braille” can empower him to be self-reliant. It can help the blind earn as high as Rs 35,200 per month.  You want to know how?

The Time and Motion study suggests that for 1 box of 100 cards, a blind person takes 1 hour to emboss an individual’s name by braille. In return he earns Rs 200.

So, in a month of 22 working days, with 8 working hours each, he can braille enable 800 cards/ day or 17,600 cards / month.

Provided he gets 8 boxes of cards every day, he can earn Rs 1600/day and Rs 35,200/month at a charge of Rs 2/card.

Through Esha, i got introduced to Athnas. Athnas is partially blind, a college student, and uses his knowledge of braille to earn his tution fees. His monthly earning is about Rs 2000, which largely depends on the quantum of cards/labels he gets for braille enabling.

I alongwith some of my friends are now his repeate clients. An entrepreneur friend of mine is now thinking of supporting him under the CSR initiaitive of his organisation by getting the entire lot of visiting cards and door labels braille enabled through him.

On the flip side, the biggest challenge i see in this model is sustainability. Even the mass getting benefited through this act is a big question mark. Will people really find it relevant to get their visiting cards braille enabled?

However, all these questions don’t stop me in contributing and spreading the word.

In case you too want to experience how small acts reap big benefits, send a box of your visiting cards to be braille enabled. You will surely experience the joy of sharing.