Avani Helpo Foundation

Avani Helpo Foundation operates out of House Number 1275 in Bhekarai Nagar, which is part of Phursungi in the Tal Haveli area. It’s a bit of a trek to get out here if you’re coming from the main part of Pune, but we like the pace of life in this neighborhood. Our office is basically a room in a regular house. It’s not fancy at all. The walls could probably use a fresh coat of paint, and the furniture is just stuff we’ve gathered over the years. We started this because we saw people in our own street who needed a bit of a hand with various things. We don’t have a big fancy title for what we do; we just call it helping out. Most days, someone will knock on the door asking for help with a form or looking for some advice on local services. We sit out on the porch or in the front room and just talk it through. There’s usually a bit of dust because of the roads nearby, and the sound of local traffic is always there in the background. We aren't a big NGO with lots of staff. It’s mostly just family and a couple of friends who give their time when they can. We don't have a big budget, so we keep things very simple and practical. It’s just a local house doing what it can for the people nearby.