Concerns Rise Over Campaign Conducted in the Name of UNICEF Around Technopark

TechnoparkToday, December 2024 – A campaign purportedly conducted on behalf of UNICEF has raised concerns among employees and visitors of Technopark Trivandrum. Initially stationed outside the gates of Technopark, the campaign has now moved inside the premises, with individuals actively approaching people in high-traffic areas such as near Subway and the walkway.

Claiming to be UNICEF volunteers, these individuals engage with people by showing photos of children in need, appealing to emotions, and soliciting financial contributions via card payments. However, several reports suggest that these payments, often portrayed as one-time contributions, are being set up as recurring payments without clear communication. Many, especially women, have expressed feeling pressured to contribute due to the emotional nature of the pitch.

Further investigation reveals that the campaign is managed by a private marketing agency based in Trivandrum. Despite presenting themselves as UNICEF volunteers, the individuals are commission-based employees of the agency. Alarmingly, it has been observed that the campaign recruits students pursuing Master of Social Work (MSW) as interns, who are then deployed to carry out these activities. At times, there may be 2–3 individuals engaging with people, but on other occasions, the number can exceed half a dozen, creating a significant presence in the area.

This surge in participants and the aggressive nature of their solicitation tactics have led to growing unease among the Technopark community. Many are questioning the authenticity and intent behind the campaign, especially given the discrepancies between the claims of the promoters and the operational model.

Technopark employees and visitors are urged to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any charitable campaigns before contributing. The situation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in charity-related initiatives, particularly within professional environments, to protect the trust and goodwill of the community.