“My principal objective is to donate towards causes that support education. It doesn’t matter who, where or what. I donate because I believe in AIM for Seva’s work to educate children,” says Mr. R. Vaidyanathan. He and his wife, Nithyakalyani, have been donating to AIM for Seva since 2016.
The couple came to know of AIM for Seva after Nithyakalyani attended a programme conducted by the organisation and brought home a pamphlet that detailed the work carried out through their chatralayams and schools. “I just look at an organisation’s credentials once—and, if I am convinced, I don’t pry anymore. I trust that my money will be used for the best purpose. When I read through the pamphlet, about the work they are doing in villages, I was convinced that it was a credible and trustworthy organisation,” says Mr. Vaidyanathan.
Why the preference to support education in particular? “I believe you can give people a livelihood through education—and change their lives. It is like throwing seeds—not all the seeds you throw will become plants and trees. Maybe 10, 20 or 30 will bloom…and they will have their impact on the world at large. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they do in life. You feel a sense of satisfaction that, at the end of the day, you have made a difference in another person’s life.”