Project Rainshield is a grassroots fundraising and donation drive started by three friends — Udayan, Gia and Kiara — to protect Mumbai's homeless community from the harshest part of the year: the monsoon.
For people sleeping on Mumbai's pavements, under flyovers, and in makeshift settlements, the rains bring skin and fungal infections, waterlogged injuries, and the collapse of whatever shelter they had. Rainshield exists to close that gap, one tarp, one pair of shoes, one umbrella at a time.
Waterproof tarps and sheeting to reinforce pavement dwellings and informal settlements against wind-driven rain and leaks.
Waterproof footwear to prevent the fungal infections and wounds that spread fast when feet stay wet for days at a time.
Umbrellas that let people move through the city, protect their belongings, and reclaim a small measure of daily normalcy.
Figures drawn from Census of India 2011 houseless-population data and long-term Mumbai rainfall averages. See The Crisis for detail and context.
Rainshield began as a conversation between Udayan, Gia and Kiara after another Mumbai downpour left familiar faces on their commute without any real protection. What started as a one-weekend collection drive has grown into a running relief effort — funding tarps, shoes and umbrellas, and now partnering with an established NGO to reach further, more safely, and more often.
Meet the FoundersWe keep the chain from donation to delivery as short as possible.
Community drives, friend networks and small donations pool into one fund.
Funds convert into bulk tarps, waterproof footwear and umbrellas at wholesale rates.
Our NGO partner's ground team identifies who needs help most, safely and respectfully.
Items reach hands directly during organised drives, before and through peak monsoon.