‘Humanity’ is the best religion’, and only if people were to follow this saying the world would be a much better place to live in. However, there are a few people who do not just believe in this concept but have been practicing it in their life. In our very own Namma Kudla, we have two such youths – Roshan Belman, a musician and anchor who along with his friend Merwin have been carrying out several noble deeds through their NGO ‘Humanity’.
Notably the NGO has completed over 60 projects and a sum of over Rs 50 lakhs has been distributed to several poverty-stricken and helpless families irrespective of religion within a year of its inception.
Roshan Belman has been the person to have introduced singing legend S P Balasubramanyam to Konkani music. The famed singer made his debut into the Konkani music industry with the ‘Mog mog’ song penned and composed by Roshan. While his schedule may be busy enough considering that he is an event organizer and a musician, Roshan does make time to devoted himself to reach out to the needy through ‘Humanity’. His friend Merwin, has completed his MCA and, is a DJ.
Their hard work combined with the compassion they share for the needy has enable to make their dream project ‘Humanity’ a success. The duo, on receiving applications approach the poor families, make their video, edit and share it on their social media and YouTube accounts.
The duo had embarked on this unique initiative in December 2016 during Christmas season in Belman near Karkala. With an initial contribution of Rs one lakh from their pocket Roshan and Merwin organized a Christmas program named ‘Christmas Godali’ in that year where they handed out Rs 2000 each to over 50 families irrespective of their religion as a Christmas gift. The intent of the programme was to spread love and humanity among all.
Gradually, when the duo shared the noble work on social media, some of their friends and well wishers chipped in with contributions to support their cause and enable them to undertake more such initiatives to help those in desperate need.
After the success of their Christmas project, the duo undertook another project during Easter and, this time they decided to build a house, at an estimated cost of Rs three and half lakhs for a poor family. However, once they shared the video of pathetic conditions of the family on social media, several donors came forward to help them and they received a donation of over Rs 10 lakhs much above the needed amount. They thus even renovated several houses of the poor with the excess donation amount that was received. With this great support from the well wishers, the duo decided to start a trust with Roshan as the founder and Merwin as the trustee. ‘Humanity’ became a registered trust in March 2017.
A small initiative with big hope to bring a change in the society started with a small amount has now become successful within a year and has helped several poor families with donors and sponsors too joining two young youth.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Roshan D’souza known as Roshan Belman, founder of ‘Humanity’ said, “I do not support those who give donations blindly to temples or churches. I want the society to be free of religious violence. I have seen political leaders who come to power with fake promises to help the poor. They think of themselves and not the public. This is why I thought of starting an organisation to serve the needy and bring about a change in the society. “
Tabassum, founder of NGO meant for AIDS-affected kids, who has received a donation of Rs 1 lakh from Humanity, speaking to Newskarnataka, said, “They have been doing this noble work since one year. I do not know about other NGOs, but I must tell that ‘Humanity’ is one such trust which has not done charity for publicity. They identify the right beneficiaries and reach out to them. They have been also transparent and they provide all details about their projects on social media.”
Another beneficiary’s daughter, said, “Humanity trust approached us and provided us financial aid for my ailing mother. She is suffering from eye cancer and we could not arrange money for the treatment. But the help we have received from ‘Humanity’ has given us support though my mother’s condition is critical. I hope that the trust continues to help those who are in need.”
A particular project where Humanity had handed over an amount of Rs 50,000 to a poor family of Leela, has now received Rs 10 lakhs, after the NGO shared the video showing the apathy of the poor family on social media.
Humanity which is celebrating its first anniversary this year has announced to help several families with an amount of Rs 10 lakhs kept aside for the same. Humanity has been receiving several applications seeking financial help for education, treatment and other needs.
Those who wish to join the NGO kindly email: humanitybelman@gmail.com
At a time when our society is plagued with several instances of communal violence people like Roshan and Merwin bring a shimmer of hope that all is lost in the society with their continuous efforts to bring about a change in the society, keeping aside political, religious and other differences.
On the occasion of Christmas, the ‘Humanity’ trust has urged everyone to bid goodbye to material things and opt to spread the real meaning of Christmas which is ‘sharing and caring’ for the needy and not just exchanging colorful gifts and going to parties.
Newskarnataka wishes all the very best to the team of ‘Humanity’ for their future endeavors.
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