Two Cents of Hope (TCH)[1] is a registered non-profit organization in the US 501(c)(3) and India, aimed at promoting education for the underprivileged children in India. It was founded by a group of graduate students from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2005. Since its inception, TCH has completed 36 projects helping 254 students in the process. Their main sources of fund raising is through #Coin Collection and through the fund raising events; #Trishna and #Crescendo.
About TCH
editThe objectives of "Two Cents of Hope" is to create a responsible and self-sustaining society. The TCH team hopes to achieve this by rendering education to the youth, creating opportunities to realize their potential. TCH believes that the fundamental problems that India faces today are interlinked and the exponential growth of population coupled with lack of education has left many a dream unfulfilled and talents buried. TCH aims at addressing this problem through educating the underprivileged children.
Vision
editThe vision of "Two Cents of Hope" is to create a responsible and self-sustaining society. They hope to achieve this by rendering education to the youth, creating opportunities to realize their potential and providing them with a spring board to scale newer heights. The fundamental problems that India faces today are interlinked. The exponential growth of population coupled with lack of education has left many a dream unfulfilled and talents buried. Two cents of hope dreams of an India where every Indian dares to dream, rekindling the hidden potential.[2]
Mission
editThe mission of the group is to[3] :
- Create a society where no child is deprived of its right to education, where one does not struggle to survive but contests to achieve.
- Uniting people with a common vision, to build an India where talent is recognized, talent breeds talent and results in achievement that is unparalleled.
- Develop a society brimming with wisdom, a community based on moral fibers and a country that revels in pride and self-respect.
Constitution
editThe TCH constitution governs the functioning of the organization.
Inception of TCH
editThree graduate students of North Carolina State University were responsible for the inception of TCH. While having a casual conversation at a local coffee shop and pondering about the problems afflicting India’s multitudes, inspiration struck as the two cents change from their coffee bill was set down on their table. They believed that instead of just talking about these issues they could make a real change by collecting loose change and utilizing it to educate people. Thus was conceived Two Cents of Hope (TCH) and the idea of alleviating the condition of India's poor through education.
Sources of Funding
editCoin Collection
editCoin Collection was the basis on which TCH was founded. It is envisaged that by collecting loose change using boxes placed by TCH volunteers in people's houses and area businesses, significant amount of money can be collected to help people in India. Change donations like cents form a steady source of contribution for the organization. Over the years the amount of money collected through coins has steadily increased from $383 in 2006 to $1493 in 2008 [4].
Fund Raising Events
editAs with Coin Collection, the funds raised by TCH through events like Trishna and Crescendo has steadily increased from $3259 in 2006 and $5280 in 2007 to $10693 in 2008[4].
Trishna
editTrishna is the main annual fundraiser started by North Carolina chapter of Two Cents of Hope in 2006. Trishna has been organized in the early parts of the fall semester since its inception. It is a variety show consisting of dance and music performances based on different cultural sources including Indian, Chinese, Irish etc. Trishna has been consistently supported by local businesses who have sponsored the event over the years. The first edition of Trishna was organized at African American Cultural Center on September (Prem). More than 200 people attended this event and $1500 was raised by TCH[5]. Trishna'07 was moved to Stewart theater[6] and it was organized on September (Prem). Trishna'08 was again hosted in Stewart Theater on September 6th 2008 and it was well received by the audience. The program comprised of two hours of performances and Indian food was served during a break in between the program. An audience of 480 people attended the event which featured performances including the Hip-Hop Reggaeton, Salsa, Belly Dance by Khahari, Jewels of Hoop Bliss, Bollywood fusion dance amongst other performances. Trishna'09[6] which was scheduled on September 12th 2009 was a grand success with close to 600 people attending the event.
Crescendo
editCrescendo has been an annual event organized by TCH in the Spring semester. It was started in 2007 primarily to increasing awareness about Two Cents of Hope, while offering students a chance to unwind and participate in fun-filled activities. Subsequent editions of Crescendo have been organized by TCH in 2008 and 2009. The organization believes that this event has helped raise awareness about itself to the students of NCSU.
Other Events
editApart from these two major events, TCH has also organized many fundraising events including Indian Ocean concert in October 2008, Tea stall at Cary Diwali in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Food Stalls
editThe Pennsylvania chapter of TCH has been mainly involved in this fund raising activity. They manage food stalls at the Pennsylvania State University's Beaver Stadium during college football games, in association with Association for India's Development(AID).
Donations
editDonations and matching benefits from companies have also contributed significantly to the funds collected by TCH as illustrated in the financial report[4]. Few of the companies which have participated in the matching benefits program are Cisco, Ericsson, Halliburton and Google Inc. [7].
Chapters
editTwo Cents of Hope has chapters in USA, India and Europe and has a total membership of around (Prem).
North Carolina (USA)
editNC chapter has been the most prominent chapter since the inception of TCH as this is where it was founded. It has generated $21898 and funded 52 projects as of 2008[4]. In 2008 alone this chapter has collected $11763 and has funded 33 projects (including renewed projects from previous years). At any given point there are at least 30 active members in this chapter. Most of the members are students of NC State University but there are quite a few members who are working professionals from near by areas. As mentioned earlier the funds are collected through Trishna, Crescendo, Coin collection and other fund raising events.
Pennsylvania (USA)
editThe Pennsylvania chapter of TCH was started at the Pennsylvania State University in 2008 and they have collected $250 in 2008 and further more in 2009[4]. Food stalls at Beaver stadium and coin collection has been their main source of fund raising. They have been successful in independently funding their first project, Uday in 2009. They are looking to fund their second project soon and have reported increased membership because of the efforts of the earlier volunteers.
New York/ New Jersey (USA)
editTCH NJ-NY took shape during Fall-2008 and held their first social event in September’08. The volunteers set up an information stall at the Newport International Cultural Festival, held at the Newport Financial Center, in Jersey City, New Jersey, where over twenty-five attendees signed up to donate their unused coins. The team included couple of NC State Alumni along with other new members. The chapter plans to expand this year by involving students from neighboring universities like New York University, Columbia, Fordham, Baruch and Rutgers. They have collected $553 as of 2008 and have contributed to several global projects funded by TCH[4].
California (USA)
editThis chapter is still in it's infancy and is looking to build its membership base.
India
editThe India chapter is the primary liaison of Two Cents of Hope in India. It is based in Bangalore and its main activity is to co-ordinate with the other chapters of TCH to facilitate the successful completion of the projects. At present it has about 15 active members and meets regularly. Recently this chapter has taken up activities to get a good understanding of the ground reality in the schools of India. Accordingly they have visited the three categories of school including Government School, Government Aided School and Private School.
Italy (Europe)
editTCH has a chapter based in Turin, Italy.
Projects
editIn the period of three years between 2006 and 2009 TCH has utilized $24,044 on funding 77 projects[8].