Wilson College BMS Initiative: HOPE ISR Project Connects Lives In Vehalonde
Since its inception in 2008, the BMS Department of Wilson College started HOPE (Help Our People Elevate), which today has grown to become Mumbai’s most significant and impactful ISR initiative. This event is not only a symbol of the college’s dedication to social causes but also a testament to the drive towards helping society bloom. Over the years, HOPE has evolved into an initiative connecting faculties, students, sponsors, and well-wishers to uplift underprivileged communities.
One of the most inspiring aspects of HOPE is its long-term impact on the village of Vehalonde. In 2022, Wilson College took a bold and visionary step by adopting this village for the next 5 years as part of its ongoing ISR efforts. Over the past years, the college has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for the residents of Vehalonde. This commitment is not just fleeting charity but a deep and sustained effort to foster lasting change.
One of the key initiatives in Vehalonde has been the establishment of solar electricity (2022) and a reliable water supply with a 5000litre water tank (2023); these changes have been life-altering because life with water and electricity has become tedious and challenging. These essential amenities, often taken for granted in urban settings, have breathed new life into the community, providing the essentials for survival and the foundations for a better future.
But Wilson College’s work does not stop there; HOPE is equivalent to breathing for us. HOPE continues to change lives, one pixel at a time! This year, HOPE is taking place on the 21st and 23rd of September, 2024, and everyone is hyped; the energy surging through is palpable.
This year’s HOPE is about technology —the secret ingredient for a thriving community. Wilson College is on a mission to build a computer lab for Vehalonde’s kids, bridging the digital divide and gearing them up for a tech-savvy future. In a world where technology shapes our prospects, this lab will open doors for Vehalonde’s children, letting them learn, grow, and discover their potential in ways they never thought possible. It will open doors to global connectivity and visions for a brighter tomorrow. The theme for HOPE 2024 is “PIXELS OF PROMISE”.
“PIXELS OF PROMISE”. What does it mean? In the digital world, a pixel is that small, tiny dot which means nothing unless several of these tiny pixels come together to form a visually appealing image. Similarily, in the real world we too sometimes might feel small or irrelevant on our own but when we come together we too are capable of painting a beautiful picture that will lead to great change.
Wilson College’s faculties and students, fueled by the incredible backing from sponsors and donors, are making waves for this fantastic cause. This year, support for HOPE has come from all directions, with individuals and organisations jumping in to make a difference in Vehalonde’s kids’ futures. Building the computer lab isn’t just about adding some cool tech —it’s about sparking hope, unlocking potential, and lighting up a brighter path for these kids. At the end of the day, HOPE is not just an event, it is an emotion to many and most importantly a home for all.
As we look ahead to the 21st and 23rd of September, we are reminded that the journey of HOPE is far from over. Hope is etched in our hearts as it has turned into our legacy. People often say, it is the destination that counts, not the journey, then how come it is both for the HOPE OC? The computer lab in Vehalonde is just the next chapter in a story that began over a decade ago — this is the story of HOPE for you and me, because HOPE is a good thing and a good thing never dies.
