You may recognise me as The Secret Millionaire...
I featured on the Channel 4 series where millionaire benefactors go undercover in deprived areas to help ordinary people. I spent time with the women involved in Martha’s Oasis, in Birmingham; an organisation that empowers women. I donated £50k to their project and have since become a Director of the charity.
Being charitable should be a natural decision...
Giving charity is a personal passion that people find within themselves when the time is right. I began giving to charity when I was 16, donating some of the salary from my part-time job to Oxfam but it wasn’t until a life changing trip to India that I realised. I wanted to be more practically involved. During a visit to Mumbai I met an incredible woman who ran the National Spastic Society Trust in India. I was so inspired by her story and commitment that on the plane home, I realised I had to do something, and that's when I took up the offer to appear on The Secret Millionaire. Since then I was asked to chair the Global Girl's Fund and have been tasked with raising £10 million over the next five years - I've never fund raised on this scale before but I can call on my business knowledge and contacts to help me.
Giving to others runs in my family...
My father came to the UK with nothing in his pocket and set up a successful business, now in its third generation. He was a dedicated philanthropist and gave away anything he could to help other people improve their life, even food from our own cupboards! I’m continuing his legacy as are my children. My youngest daughter is the charity monitor at school while my teenager is currently raising money to embark on a challenge to help children in Nicaragua.
The more successful I am, the more people I can help…
I recently had the opportunity to co-run a business that would provide jobs for 500 people, so I did. Knowing I’m responsible for so many livelihoods makes me value what I do and motivates me to keep working hard. My biggest success is knowing I can write cheques that will actually change people’s lives but eventually I would like to set up my own foundation.
Prioritising is key to fulfilling a happy life...
Although I’m one of the 100 most successful female entrepreneurs in the UK, I never compromise my family commitments. If you truly want to do something you’ll find time to fit it in. I’m up at six in the morning, attend three company meetings a day and have recently invested in two new companies so my phone doesn’t stop ringing – but I always make sure I’m home for dinner. My father-in-law lives with us and he likes his homemade rotis delivered on time!
Money isn't everything...
I believe that privileged people should donate money but financial assistance isn’t the only way you can show your support. Whether you choose to volunteer in your spare time, give blood or share your contacts, helping other people is just so rewarding. More than the giving of funds, I thrive on offering coaching, mentoring and giving motivational talks. I was recently asked to speak in front of 800 young women at a Global Girl’s Fund conference and it’s a humbling feeling to know whatever I said would have a big impact on girls from all over the world.
• www.kavitaoberoi.com www.theglobalgirlsfund.com