My Nonprofit Reviews
Vineet_Laroiya
Review for Geohazards International, Pleasanton, CA, USA
January 2008.
While working as a Control Systems Engineer at Bechtel India Private Ltd., I had the unique pleasure of collaborating with GeoHazards International (GHI) in its sustained effort to educate schools in Gurgaon (outskirts of New Delhi, India) on disaster mitigation. Though Gurgaon lies in Seismic Zone 4, the second highest earthquake risk zone in India, and despite the documented fact that school children constitute 20% of all casualties in day-time earthquakes, fewer than 5% of Gurgaon schools had a disaster management plan ready.
We decided to change the status quo - I led a team of volunteers at Bechtel to assist GHI in its important mission to spread awareness about earthquake risks and associated mitigation practices in order to reduce the potential death and suffering in case of an earthquake in this region. Our combined team of GHI professionals led by Mr Hari Kumar (India Director, GHI), and Bechtel volunteers, physically spent significant time on weekends in selected schools to: sensitize students and teachers on earthquake causes and consequent perils; identify potential falling hazards; supervise classroom retrofitting to ensure safe exits; organize bi-monthly mock drills. A typical school project lasted for about 6 months - these initiatives paved the way for disaster recovery plans and built a culture of earthquake preparedness which was initially not present. Within just 36 months, we succeeded in educating over 11,000 students and 2500 teachers.
I continued my association with these projects till 2012 and thereafter left for Spain to pursue my full time MBA course. I am in regular contact with Mr. Hari regarding GHI's initiatives in various parts of India, especially the North Eastern belt, and am constantly overwhelmed and impressed by his team's efforts in spreading critical awareness about earthquakes. This work is of utmost importance and has the potential to save many a human lives. GHI - kudos to your vision and good luck !
Best Regards,
Vineet Laroiya
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
1. Attract - more volunteers from all walks of life. Have a structured program to rotate volunteers per their expertise (or desire / interest) to assist in various stages of the project life cycle at different locations. Students in schools and universities are a good target audience 2. Publicise: create a social platform (including print media) to spread your message across . Engage opinion leaders to help in your quest (students, socialites, local politicians, credible academia et al)
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
