It is for the second time that Pranav Bhayani, Kaspersky Mumbai office employee, set off in November 2017 for a car run around remote Indian villages.

He took along five likeminded coworkers and almost half a ton of cargo and headed to the poorest settlements, to the furthest point the road would allow. The Xylo crossover with three rows of seats was filled to the brim with grains, fleece blankets, personal hygiene items, sweets and coloring book for kids. Pranav and his coworkers got up at 6 a.m. in order to slowly drive through 300 km of windy off-roads leading to Hirve and Jambulmatha villages. The locals were not expecting guests, let alone with gifts, and were very glad to receive them. Many of the children had never drawn and didn’t even know where to start.

Hirve has one of the largest local municipal schools. That’s where the team dropped off fleece blankets, a couple of sacks of grains, and personal toiletries. By talking to the director the volunteers found out the school’s needs for future expeditions. And what they need is very simple: a water filter system and some sports equipment.

“In order to bring people at least a little bit of joy, it is not necessary to entertain them — you have to share and help with whatever you can. This was our second charity car run and we are happy with its results. Next time we will optimize our route to save time so that we can manage to do even more,” says Pranav Bhayani.

Another Kaspersky headquarters employee Yana Valatskaite, together with likeminded associates, has been organizing a charity festival called From Heart to Heart for five years in a row. It is held in Moscow, in Kolomenskoe Park, where more than ten different activity grounds open on this day. They are all charity based: participants can leave in the donation box any amount they find appropriate. At the festival you can learn pottery, gingerbread painting and much more; a handmade crafts fair and concerts are held; you can practice archery, jump in a bumper ball, draw, sculpt, watch science experiments, and try homemade baked goods at the food court. All raised funds go to charities that help children. Each year different organizations are chosen in order to cover more categories of those who need help. For example, the festival collaborates with the Podsolnukh (Sunflower) Foundation that helps children with primary immunodeficiency and autoimmune disorders.

“When you see passionate people that know exactly what line of action to follow and how to grow while helping others, you immediately ask yourself, ‘And what can I do?’” I got interested specifically in social volunteering from the start — projects in which I am still willing to invest efforts, time and, of course, my heart. Volunteering gives me an opportunity to broaden my social circle and my horizons in general. And also to set an example for my six-year-old brother. It is at this age that the most important human qualities are instilled.”