Local charity with global goals to tackle poverty
Education, education, education
For Rajen Shah, CEO of UK-based charity, One Cause, access to education is absolutely fundamental to a child's future. "A lack of education denies people the freedom to choose the kind of life they want to lead; it robs them of their potential and closes so many doors of opportunities," he argues.
Education has been a passion for Rajen for a long time and it was in 2007 that an idea started to form between him and his best friend, Kishan Vasani. "What initially started as a simple chat became a serious discussion about how we could use our time and skills to raise money for causes we felt were important," says Rajen. "We knew that we wanted to make a real difference in the long-term. And we wanted to focus our efforts on tackling poverty through education."
After drafting in a few of their closest friends, that initial idea and enthusiasm led to the charity, One Cause being born and gaining status as a UK registered charity in 2008.
Strength to strength
Over the last four years, the charity and its growing team of volunteers have remained committed to raising awareness and funds for those people that have little or no access to education. The charity's philosophy is simple: "Education Is The Answer To Poverty".
One of the charity's first initiatives was with theNirvanaSchoolinIndiawhere it raised funds to make some amazing changes to the lives of people in the local community. Since the project started in 2008, One Cause has provided basic English language training to all Nirvana teachers; invested in a water filtration plant to provide drinking water for the school; financed evening adult skills courses for ex-Nirvana students and adults in the local community; as well as invested in internet connectivity and books for the school.
A significant achievement has also been the charity's ‘Sponsor a Child' Program, which helps students get sponsorship to help fund their education. Most recently, the charity started a range of new initiatives atAuroSchoolinUgandaincluding a sustainability programme, feed a child campaign and apprenticeship scheme.
The charity is making a real difference to the lives of people it supports. "If a child we help receives an education that they wouldn't have done otherwise, we will have achieved something that is invaluable," says Rajen. "We really believe that providing education to both children and adults coming from challenging and difficult backgrounds is the best way to make a positive difference to their lives and build a better, more sustainable future for them."
Get excited about the cause – Take part in the ultimate adrenalin rush
For the One Cause team, getting people involved and excited about their projects is vital to achieving the charity's goals.
So the charity's latest sponsored challenge event is the UK's most exhilarating adrenalin experience - The Awesome Foursome, which is taking place at the award winning, Magna Science Adventure Centre in Sheffield, a £46 million Millennium project. Â
The hair-raising event starts with a 250ft zipwire drop reaching speeds of up to 30mph, followed by abseiling 150ft into The Abyss and then the latest in extreme activites, the parachute descender where thrill-seekers plummet 150ft before enjoying a soft landing. And, to end this action-packed day, the world's highest indoor bungee jump into complete darkness.
 "It's going to be an unforgettable experience and all the more exciting is the opportunity to help One Cause reach and support more people," says Rajen.
For Rajen Shah, CEO of UK-based charity, One Cause, access to education is absolutely fundamental to a child's future. "A lack of education denies people the freedom to choose the kind of life they want to lead; it robs them of their potential and closes so many doors of opportunities," he argues.
Education has been a passion for Rajen for a long time and it was in 2007 that an idea started to form between him and his best friend, Kishan Vasani. "What initially started as a simple chat became a serious discussion about how we could use our time and skills to raise money for causes we felt were important," says Rajen. "We knew that we wanted to make a real difference in the long-term. And we wanted to focus our efforts on tackling poverty through education."
After drafting in a few of their closest friends, that initial idea and enthusiasm led to the charity, One Cause being born and gaining status as a UK registered charity in 2008.
Strength to strength
Over the last four years, the charity and its growing team of volunteers have remained committed to raising awareness and funds for those people that have little or no access to education. The charity's philosophy is simple: "Education Is The Answer To Poverty".
One of the charity's first initiatives was with theNirvanaSchoolinIndiawhere it raised funds to make some amazing changes to the lives of people in the local community. Since the project started in 2008, One Cause has provided basic English language training to all Nirvana teachers; invested in a water filtration plant to provide drinking water for the school; financed evening adult skills courses for ex-Nirvana students and adults in the local community; as well as invested in internet connectivity and books for the school.
A significant achievement has also been the charity's ‘Sponsor a Child' Program, which helps students get sponsorship to help fund their education. Most recently, the charity started a range of new initiatives atAuroSchoolinUgandaincluding a sustainability programme, feed a child campaign and apprenticeship scheme.
The charity is making a real difference to the lives of people it supports. "If a child we help receives an education that they wouldn't have done otherwise, we will have achieved something that is invaluable," says Rajen. "We really believe that providing education to both children and adults coming from challenging and difficult backgrounds is the best way to make a positive difference to their lives and build a better, more sustainable future for them."
Get excited about the cause – Take part in the ultimate adrenalin rush
For the One Cause team, getting people involved and excited about their projects is vital to achieving the charity's goals.
So the charity's latest sponsored challenge event is the UK's most exhilarating adrenalin experience - The Awesome Foursome, which is taking place at the award winning, Magna Science Adventure Centre in Sheffield, a £46 million Millennium project. Â
The hair-raising event starts with a 250ft zipwire drop reaching speeds of up to 30mph, followed by abseiling 150ft into The Abyss and then the latest in extreme activites, the parachute descender where thrill-seekers plummet 150ft before enjoying a soft landing. And, to end this action-packed day, the world's highest indoor bungee jump into complete darkness.
 "It's going to be an unforgettable experience and all the more exciting is the opportunity to help One Cause reach and support more people," says Rajen.