Sofiya Welfare Foundation

We are based at RZ E-141 in Nihal Vihar. It’s out in West Delhi. If you know the area, it’s a pretty busy residential spot. Sofiya Welfare Foundation is the name we use. We’ve been operating out of this house for a while now. It’s not a formal office building or anything like that, just a place in the neighborhood. We wanted to stay close to where people actually live because that is where the work is. Dealing with welfare stuff means you have to be around the people you’re talking about. The streets around here can get a bit narrow and crowded, especially in the evenings when everyone is coming home from work. We usually have the door open so neighbors can just pop their heads in and say hello or ask a question. It’s a bit messy sometimes with papers everywhere on the tables, but we know where everything is. We don't have a big budget for fancy furniture, so we just use what we have or what people have given us. It’s a very local thing. Most of us grew up around here or nearby, so we know the problems people face every day. We don't try to use big words or act like we know everything. We just listen and try to help out with the small things that add up. Some days the power goes out and we just sit outside on the steps and talk. It’s a very simple way of doing things.