Report by – Shashwat Srivastava
Lucknow: What started as a conversation among a few students at Lucknow University has today grown into a social initiative touching lives across several districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Founded in 2021, Uma Foundation was born out of a concern that many people often overlook. Its founders were troubled by the sight of children working at an age when they should have been sitting in classrooms, learning and preparing for a better future. Instead of simply discussing the problem, they decided to do something about it.
Five years later, the student-led organisation has emerged as an active presence in the fields of education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and environmental conservation. Guided by its motto, “Let’s Make a Better World,” the foundation has carried out a range of programmes aimed at supporting underserved communities and encouraging social awareness.
The initiative is led by founder Rishabh Tiwari, who started the organisation with a group of friends and juniors from Lucknow University. What began with a handful of young volunteers has gradually evolved into a dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers who regularly participate in social service activities.
One of the foundation’s most visible efforts has been in environmental conservation. Through its flagship Project Go Green, volunteers have organised plantation drives and awareness campaigns to encourage people to take responsibility for their surroundings. Among these, the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign received significant attention. The plantation drive, which encouraged people to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, was attended by DIG Sunil Kumar as the chief guest and drew participation from various sections of society.
The organisation’s work has not been limited to environmental causes. In partnership with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the State Bank of India (SBI), the foundation has also contributed to the renovation of Anganwadi centres in Lucknow, Gonda, Bahraich and Balrampur districts. The improved facilities have helped create a more welcoming environment for children and mothers who rely on these centres for basic services and early childhood education.
Education remains one of the foundation’s central priorities. Through Project Pathshala, volunteers regularly distribute stationery kits and learning materials to children from economically weaker backgrounds. The idea, members say, is not only to support students with basic educational resources but also to motivate them to continue their studies.
Health awareness is another area where the organisation has focused its efforts. Free dental check-up camps are organised periodically to provide basic healthcare services to people who may not otherwise have easy access to them. Such initiatives, though modest in scale, have helped spread awareness about preventive healthcare among local communities.
The foundation has also worked extensively in the area of women’s empowerment. Through Project Sakhi, it has partnered with several companies to conduct sanitary napkin distribution drives and menstrual hygiene awareness programmes. Volunteers believe these campaigns are helping break long-standing social taboos while promoting better health practices among women and girls.
While many of its programmes address serious social concerns, the organisation also places importance on bringing moments of happiness to children. On its Foundation Day, volunteers celebrated with students at a primary school, spending time with them and organising activities aimed at creating joyful memories. Such events form part of Project Smile, an initiative focused on spreading positivity and emotional support within communities.
According to members of the organisation, social media played an important role in helping the foundation expand its reach. As information about its activities spread online, more people came forward to volunteer and support its work. Today, the organisation continues to attract young individuals interested in contributing to social causes.
Reflecting on the foundation’s journey, founder Rishabh Tiwari said the goal has always been larger than providing short-term assistance. “Our objective is not only to help people in need but also to empower them and inspire them to improve their own lives,” he said.
As Uma Foundation prepares to launch new programmes in the coming years, its volunteers remain committed to the idea that meaningful change often begins with small actions. Their journey serves as a reminder that when young people come together with a shared purpose, even a simple initiative can grow into a movement capable of making a lasting difference in society. For the team behind the organisation, the message remains simple: small efforts can become the foundation of big change.
