In the heart of Mumbai, a bustling city, where people rush past each other without a second glance, a group of young minds at PiKademy were moved to see homelessness around them. These people often occupy streetsides to sleep in, eat what they get and often have their meagre belongings scattered around them. While homelessness is a colossal problem to solve, this group dared to stop and ask—what would it take to give a homeless person dignity? What would it take to replace vulnerability with security, helplessness with empowerment? Their answer was simple, yet profound: the Home Pack—a portable home consisting of three parts.
Three groups of students from PiKademy studied this problem a little deeper. They found out that for those who live on the streets, life is a constant struggle. There is no safe place to keep their belongings, no certainty about where their next meal will come from, no shelter from the unpredictable elements. Homelessness is not just about lacking a roof—it is about lacking a foundation on which to build even the smallest sense of stability. The students, with hearts brimming with empathy and minds driven by innovation, sought to change that.
Their vision took shape through three crucial components: the Backpack, the Kitchen Box, and the Tent. Each element addressed a fundamental need—storage, sustenance, and shelter—coming together in a seamless, portable, and practical design.
The backpack was conceived by Rehan Ahmad, Faizaan Ahmad,Aafiya Shaikh, Alina Khan, Danish Sayyed and Adnan Shaikh. It was no ordinary bag. It was designed with a top compartment for a compact kitchen box, a side sleeve for a foldable tent, and a rear storage section for clothing and valuables. More than just a means of carrying possessions, it was a symbol of security. The backpack was designed in heavy duty polyester fabric for durability and weather proof conditions. The addition of a solar panel belt ensured that even the homeless had access to light—a small but powerful step towards self-sufficiency.
Then came the Kitchen Box, a masterpiece of thoughtful design conceptualised by Talha Shaikh, Gufran Ahmad, Awesh Khan, Abdullah Shaikh, Moosa Mullah, Armaan Khan, Ziyaan Shaikh and Talha Mubeen. Made from light wood and acrylic, it held everything a person would need to prepare a simple meal. Every inch was used efficiently—stackable utensils, custom-fit storage for essential ingredients, and even a hollow rolling pin to store cutlery. The top opened up to reveal a cutting board and a space for an induction stove, offering not just food, but independence. No longer would a homeless individual be entirely reliant on the kindness of strangers for a warm meal.
Finally, the tent, a true sanctuary for the homeless was the third fitment of this grand project. Initially imagined as a tepee, it was redesigned to be a collapsible, horizontal structure that could fit snugly into the backpack. It sprang open in seconds, providing an immediate refuge. Netting kept out mosquitoes, while a weatherproof cover offered privacy and protection from the elements. And in a final touch of ingenuity, the students repurposed discarded fabric to stitch a mattress, ensuring that comfort was not a luxury, but a right. This was created by Tazmeen Shaikh, Farhan Ahmed, Razina Sayyed, Samiya Khan, Uzma Mulla and Afreen Usmani.
Collaborating closely with the other groups to integrate three ideas seamlessly into one package was both a challenge and an exciting journey. The end result demonstrated how teamwork and innovation can come together to create a practical and impactful solution to a real-world issue.
It was not just about giving the homeless a tent, a meal, or a bag. It was about giving people less privileged than themselves the agency, about acknowledging their struggles and responding with action. The Home Pack was a testament to what can happen when young minds refuse to accept the world as it is and instead dream of what it could be. It was proof that empathy, when paired with innovation, has the power to transform lives.
For the students of PiKademy, this was more than a project—it was a promise. A promise that no one should have to carry their burdens alone, and that even the smallest act of kindness can build a bridge to hope.
The realisation of this vision was made possible through the invaluable mentorship and support of MuSo and Standard Chartered, whose guidance played a crucial role in its development and success.
