Social Cred$ on International Timebanking Day

A couple of TISB students, Sanjana from Grade 11 and Jahaan from Grade 9, have received the opportunity to present their initiative ‘Social Cred$’ at the World Time Banking conference, which is being organised by ‘Timebanking UK’ on March 20 and 23. Social Cred$ is an online platform aimed at raising awareness among young people of how to contribute with social giving, and encouraging this by showing how easy it can be. In its first year of existence the platform has clocked 5,000 hours. We contacted Sanjana and Jahaan to learn more about their initiative and how it may inspire more people in the future. 

As teenagers, we are interested in giving back to our communities – Sanjana, Grade 11 and Jahaan, Grade 9 

When growing up, both Sanjana and Jahaan have always been interested in giving back to their communities. But it has not always been easy. “We were unsure of where to start and how do we collate all the hours we put in”, says the two social entrepreneurs, who created Social Cred$ to help youth like themselves find their passion for social giving: “At Social Cred$, we believe that social giving has no age barriers, and everyone can contribute to giving back to society. We give students a place to start their own initiatives, find volunteers and other kids who share their interests.” 

Being an online platform, Social Cred$ has true potential to reach a great digital audience across the world, showing and inspiring them how they can get involved. “You can begin at home and in your community with simple programs like friend a senior or helping kids make friends”, explains Sanjana and Jahaan, whose platform gives participants Time Cred$, a currency tracked on their website for volunteers and the hours they put into their cause.  

“The Social Cred$ website and kiddie time bank set up is quite unique […] We would very much like them to share this with the world time banking community as an emerging opportunity for children to contribute back to society”, says Sarah Bird, CEO of ‘Timebanking UK', where Sanjana and Jahaan will present their initiative. “We are excited to be invited as speakers to present Social Cred$ at the World Time Bank Conference”, says Jahaan and Sanjana, who sees a connection with the in the World Time Bank which is popular with the senior community. “In India, children usually are expected to study and hence a platform for kids to work and contribute is new”, they say, and are glad they are providing a platform for the world’s youngest contributors to the society. 

The two time-banking entrepreneurs have a plan to expand to other schools and communities in Bangalore in the next year. “Our vision is to clock in 1 million goodwill hours impacting 20,000 kids by 2024. And starting with TISB it’s now an after-school club in TISB.” To connect with and join Social Cred$, get in touch with Sanjana and Jahaan, or visit their Social Cred$ website to start your social giving.