The Power of one Simple Action — #Solve Ninja

Gauthamraj Elango
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read

Recently, I have joined hands with Reap Benefit in their mission of “Democratizing Public Problem Solving” through the lenses of civic and environmental problems. As a program manager, I help with the operations in Chennai. We work with school students to nudge them to be a Solve Ninja by understanding their “Role as Citizens”.

Solve Ninja are those young people who solve local problems in their locality with local data, local community and low-cost solutions. Solve Ninjas will go through our well structured problem-solving journey Discover → Investigate → Solve → Share. During this journey, by taking actions to solve problems they will get their 21st century skills activated.

One of our Solve Ninja (14 years old ) recently took an independent action in solving the Garbage problem in his locality. He discovered a problem of overflowing garbage in his locality.

He investigated about the issue with others where he figured out Garbage was not cleaned for the last 4 days.

He realised it is his responsibility as a citizen to take an action. He decided to report it to the authorities through the Swachata app.

The issue got resolved in less than 5 hours from the complaint registered.

One simple action from this solve ninja created a positive change. When hundreds and thousands of solve ninjas take simple action won’t we have a neighbourhood, city, country and world we dream of!

P.S — In the upcoming months, we are planning for community gathering in Chennai where one can come with curiosity and go out as a “Problem Solver”. Stay Tuned!

Gauthamraj Elango
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