The Banyan looking for old newspaper donations

Before you throw out that bundle of old newspapers or sell it to the raddwalla, pause. For it can actually make a huge difference to someone out there.

The Banyan, an NGO working to enable access to health and mental health for persons living in poverty and homelessness, is looking for newspaper donations.

“It would be used in our vocational training unit. We make and sell bags made of newspaper so that consumers can make a green choice,” says Mrinalini Ravi, assistant director, vocational training and social enterprise, The Banyan.

The old newspapers are also used in the block printing unit. “It is used to train people. They can practise doing the prints on the newspapers and once they get the hang of it, they can start doing it on cloth,” says Ravi.

The Banyan is home to 400 women and 50 men. “We also have 2,000 men and women outpatients and do vocational training for all of them as it becomes an income generating activity. It also makes a big difference in their self-care, and esteem,” says Ravi, adding that more than tablets or therapy, it is work that helps rehabilitate them. “It is one critical aspect of healing,” she say

So far, The Banyan has been relying on newspaper donations. “Sometimes, we do end up purchasing newspapers from raddwallahs, so donations are welcome,” says Ravi. “We are also hoping that supermarkets and grocery stores will retail our newspaper bags. It would help cut out plastic and can be part of their corporate social responsibility programme.”