12 NGOs in Mumbai you should know about

Home to the richest billionaires in India, Mumbai is a city of contradictions, dreams, hopes and opportunities. With billionaires on one end, the city also harbours Asia’s biggest slum – Dharavi! One of the biggest cities in India, it has been romanticised through the glamour of Bollywood, side by side with problems that need to be addressed. From child labour to human trafficking, poverty to human rights, the issues are varied and need immediate attention. Several NGOs in Mumbai have taken up the cause of addressing these issues and providing solutions.

You can be a part of this change by volunteering or interning this summer with an NGO, already listed in our recent piece on NGO internships.

You can benefit from this experience in several ways –

• Determine your drive to create a change in society (be it a simple wish, or revolutionary)
• Experience social issues firsthand
• Understand the work culture of NGOs
• Understand ways in which you can change in society
• Explore social development sector as a possible career

Today, NGOs offer internships in several roles; it does not include just working directly with the benefactors. Some of the roles that are offered are –

• Digital Marketing
• Sponsorship & Fund Raising
• Public relations
• Communications & Design
• Event management

We have compiled a list of 12 NGOs in Mumbai where you can apply for internships; most of them have active internship programs. You can also contact them with your CV and statement of interest for volunteering or internship.

Door Step School

Focus – Primary Education

Door Step School is an NGO that focuses on providing primary education to underprivileged and marginalised sections of society. They take education right to the doorstep of these children, which are often pavements, slums or streets! They offer classes to all children between 3 – 14 years of age in flexible timings and convenient locations for the children.

Click here for more details for an internship with Door Step School.

CRY – Child Rights and You

Focus – Child Rights

CRY is an NGO that works towards children’s rights through various programs and initiatives. They have projects that deal with providing free primary education, primary healthcare, nutrition and safe houses away from violence and abuse. They do this by partnering with other grassroots NGOs and communities.

Click here for more details for an internship with CRY.

AAWC – Apne Aap Women’s Collective

Focus – Women Rehabilitation from Trafficking

AAWC is an NGO that focuses on rehabilitation of women and children who have been victims of prostitution and human trafficking. They primarily work with women from Kamathipura, which is Mumbai’s and in fact Asia’s largest and oldest Red Light Areas. The NGO has programs for these women and children through which they provide resources for education and job opportunities in other fields.

Click here for more details for an internship with Apne Aap Women’s Collective.

AASRA

Focus – Mental Health

Aasra is a crisis intervention centre for lonely, distressed and suicidal. They mainly work through a suicide helpline which has provided relief to over 3 lakh callers since their inception. The helplines are manned by highly trained staff who addresses the concerns of these callers. Mental health issues are gaining recognition throughout the world and Aasra has been a pioneer in addressing this issue in India.

Click here for more details for an internship with Aasra.

Paryay

Focus – Rural Empowerment

Paryay is an NGO which provides support and aid to rural communities in Maharashtra. They work on several issues and have programs running currently to address issues like Women empowerment, Rights to land, child education & rights, Village governance and Capacity building.

Click here for more details for an internship with Paryay.

ATMA

Focus – Accelerator for NGOs

ATMA is unique in the sense that it is an organisation that is an accelerator for NGOs who work in the sphere of primary education for children. They help in capacity building of these NGOs and act as partners and mentors in ensuring the NGOs fulfil their mission of providing quality education. They also have an extensive network with partners providing all the necessary support for these NGOs.

Click here for more details for an internship with Atma.

Fandry Foundation

Focus – Tribal Communities Empowerment

The story of Fandry Foundation started with the Marathi movie ‘Fandry’ which highlighted the plight of tribal communities in Maharashtra. Started in 2014, the NGO focuses on creating awareness for education among the tribal people as well as provides for resources like stationery, books and clothing for these children.

Click here for more details for an internship with Fandry Foundation.

India Cancer Society

Focus – Cancer Awareness

The Indian Cancer Society is India’s first voluntary and non-profit organisation for cancer awareness, detection and cure. It works on several levels to aid those suffering from cancer. It starts with the premise that Cancer is curable when it is detected early, it primarily works with underprivileged patients who do not have access to basic medical facilities. It conducts early detection camps, awareness programs and provides resources for cancer patients.

Click here for more details for an internship with India Cancer Society.

Lawyers Collective

Focus – Legal Rights

The Lawyers Collective is a rights group that works with several disadvantaged communities and provides legal recourse. It works on creating policy changes and formulating laws to support these communities. Currently, the NGO works with Women’s rights, HIV patients, Sexually Marginalised Groups and Rights to medicines.

Click here for more details for internship with Lawyers Collective.

Teach For India

Focus – Primary Education

Teach For India is a non-profit organisation working in the educational sector aiming at removing educational inequality and is a part of the global Teach For All network. The movement works on two levels, in the short term it places TFI Fellows at local government schools for a period of two years to create impact and in the long-term, it creates a community of these fellow alumni who go on to become advocates for the movement and participate in their various roles and capacity. Interns will work in several departments towards achieving these goals.

Click here for more details for an internship with Teach for India.

Jai Vakeel Foundation and Research Centre

Focus – Differently Abled Capacity Building

The Jai Vakeel Foundation is one of the first and largest organisations working with children and older individuals with mental challenges and other learning disabilities. It works especially with economically disadvantaged groups who cannot take care of these individuals effectively. They have a school in Mumbai as well as runs programs through Maharashtra to create awareness and provide support for these differently abled individuals.

Click here for more details for an internship with Jai Vakeel Foundation.

SNEHA – Society for Nutrition, Education & Health Action

Focus – Women’s Health

SNEHA is an NGO that works on the premise that investing in women’s health is essential to building viable urban communities. It targets four major public health care areas – Maternal and Newborn Health, Child Health and Nutrition, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Prevention of Violence against Women and Children.

Click here for internships with SNEHA.

So go on and volunteer and intern with these NGOs this summer! Also, do let us know of any other NGOs who are working for communities in Mumbai.

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