A former corporate employee, Goutham Kumar realised that his true calling lay in serving humanity. Meet the man changing lives in Hyderabad.
“Nobody should have to go hungry,” says Goutham who left behind a lucrative profession to serve the greater good.
Goutham Kumar
Having worked for a number of companies across the country, including Expedia, Goutham switched to working full-time with NGOs in Hyderabad five years ago. “I started my NGO because I wanted to serve others,” he says. “But I wanted it to be my profession, not a passion to be followed just once or twice a week. I was sure that this would be my sole purpose.” Recruiting the help of family members and well-wishers, Goutham set up Serve Needy in 2014 to assist the impoverished and homeless in the city.
Recovering leftovers to feed the hungry, better known as the Anna Daatha programme, is just one of the 14 projects Goutham is presently involved in.
ANNA DAATHA
One of his earliest projects, before Serve Needy was founded, was aiding in the rescue and rehabilitation of the homeless from the city’s streets. Today it is one of Goutham’s pet projects — he has named it Save a Life — and is executed in association with the Telangana Police and government bodies.
Goutham’s emphasis is on children and senior citizens. He describes how it is not uncommon for him and his team to bond with those they rescue. “We treat them with respect, like our family members and often they respond with their life stories. We collect them as case studies and then offer them our support.”
Serve Needy also reunites the homeless people with their families, following legal procedures to identify whether those rescued may be missing persons. Those found orphaned or alone are given places in shelters and homes including Serve Needy’s own orphanage. “We have 22 children living with us, a mix of kids of single parents, orphans, and some who have been rescued from trafficking,” says Goutham.
Founded in 2015, the orphanage offers the benefits of safe accommodation and education for these children, and is often visited by well-wishers who celebrate their special days with these kids.
Home
Goutham and his family members, as well as four employees, work with an ever-increasing team of volunteers to aid the poor and homeless. They offer aid for cancer patients—including alternative medicine and birthday parties—at Hyderabad’s MNJ Cancer Hospital and Basawatarakam Hospital. They aid government schools, fix pot holes, identify and rescue mentally challenged individuals and even pets from the streets. Serve Needy’s special birthday parties in schools, hospitals and old age homes have garnered such a fan following that Goutham even receives special requests from sponsors.
From feeding 200 people daily to undertaking the last rites for those who cannot afford to help themselves, Serve Needy works on a 24×7 schedule. Yet Goutham’s zeal is unstoppable. In his latest project, his team has launched a mobile ambulance for the poor. Inaugurated on January 8, the ambulance team is being set up to provide free medical services, emergency picks-ups, and free service for any sudden accidents. “We are aiming at people with serious ailments,” says Goutham citing the case of a patient whose wounds were infected by maggots. Serve Needy also extends the ambulance for last rites and help for anyone in need.
