If there was a story of humble and modest beginnings, it is the inception of Dance to GIVE. GIVE’s story all began when a 10-year-old Shakkthi visited a few orphanages in India and Sri Lanka with her family. She wanted to reach out and help those children in need. She felt inspired to do more for the orphaned children she met. Due to her passion for Indian Classical Dance, she conceived the notion to showcase her talents along with many other dancers and musicians from Melbourne and raise the much-needed funds for those orphans. Hence, the idea for an Annual Concert – Dance to GIVE was born. Children are naturally giving and caring when we can take their focus out of their own universe. Shakkthi’s parents encouraged and supported her mission to directly and positively impact the lives of impoverished children by “Dance(ing) to GIVE”. Dance to GIVE is flourishing with the undivided support of Shakkthi’s Bharathanatyam Guru – Meena Elankumaran after initial struggles. Now, Shakkthi and many young dancers and musicians from Melbourne can experience the joy of GIVING. And what could be a better lifelong lesson than that?
Dance to GIVE holds an annual musical and dance concert where young Classical Indian dancers and Carnatic musicians come together to give hope to the disabled and orphaned children in India and Sri Lanka. Instead of handing over their own money to charities of their choice, these talented young children felt it is imperative to make the Melbourne community aware of the dire plight of the destitute children in India and Sri Lanka. This way, everyone has an opportunity to contribute to bettering the lives of these orphaned children.
Dance to GIVE is a registered not-for-profit organization run by a group of passionate and committed volunteers and is supported by many members of the community and Indian Dance and Music Schools. Our generous volunteers and supporters cover the operating costs, so that 100% of your valuable donations are used to support the children in need through the orphanages, advocacy work and partnerships that are proven to benefit children and communities. We aspire to the highest levels of transparency and accountability in all that we do.