When I started “the ride to the City of Joy” few weeks back, I expected it to get over by end of August. However, I resisted from doing so because of my immeasurable love for poetic verses and hence I tried to pen down few “कविताये” also in between. As I geared up to write something this evening, several memories of Calcutta kept coming to my mind. However, at the end I decided to defer it for some more time and write about something that is fresher in mind and powerful in intent.
My colleagues were interested to do something on the social front for quite some time now. But, none of us were able to break through towards this cause till Yesterday. Thanks to one of my cousin-cum-friend – Prem, who is actively involved with NGO activities for upliftment of underprivileged children since his MBA days. I spoke to him about the interest our group had and we managed to organize a small workshop at "Bal Shikha Kendra" run under the flagship of "LEU Foundation" yesterday in the first half.
After several round of conversations, seven of us managed to reach the school on Saturday morning for this activity. There is this small "basti" in sector 53 which is flanked by tall buildings from all sides. Many of the high salary paid associates living in these buildings would not have slightest of the hint that approx. 4000 people are living in this "basti" in not so hygienic conditions. It was startling to note that over 1000 kids live here bereft of higher education and prosperous future. As briefed by Prem in the kick-off discussion, this school was set up some 18 months ago to help them prepare for admission into primary schools based on their age group and readiness. In fact, they have managed to push 78 such kids into mainstream education system through government schools in nearby localities. We did a tour of school with him after the debrief. The entire structure is made of wood and tarpaulins with a wooden fence to protect the school against invasion of cows, dogs and pigs. There are two classes and two whole time teachers who control the operations. There are about 100 odd kids who come to the school on a consistent basis.
After the tour, we were asked to conduct a survey in the "basti" on the health awareness. We marched inside the "basti" and began the survey filling the questionnaire given to us. Few common problems surfaced in the process were related to usage of untreated water in the households, absence of toilets in the area and ambiguity about importance of education for children. All the volunteers did their best to cover as many families as possible. All of us did a fair job and came back to school after half an hour.
Next activity was to clear the grass away from the school yard. Though we did not have automatic lawnmower to do this, we took the job very seriously and started clearing the grass with manual tools such as hoe and spade. About half of the grass was removed from the school area within 20 minutes. Since we were planned to do other activities, we had to stop at this stage. They are in process of constructing the third classroom and the floor level has to be equal so that it is comfortable for the kids. Hence, we were supposed to carry soil bags from outside the school premises and fill the floor of the class with the soil. The added advantage of this activity was that the level of soil at the gate of the school could also be reduced substantially as heaps of hard soils made the entry uneasy. This seemed relatively easy to do initially but turned out to be a sweating exercise as we carried those bags several times. We continued for another 35 minutes before settling down with kids.
Then, we spent some time with kids who were eagerly waiting for the biggest event of the day – “The Magic Show”. We had arranged for a magician to do some tricks and entertain the kids. All the kids were so upbeat about this and turned silent like obedient students at the instructions of their teachers. The magic show began and all of us dispersed among the kids during the show. It was really fun to see them interact with magician wittily and intelligently. Some of the tricks were really breathtaking. After the show was over, we distributed drawing books, crayons and fruits to the kids. All the kids were so cute and disciplined that I could just remember my school days. It was such a wonderful experience that I can hardly think of anything else एवें now.
This was indeed a tiny step towards a noble cause which in no way is comparable to what can be done to uplift the awareness and progress of poor people in our society. Although a very tiny step but worth a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and members of this foundation, as these are a tiny steps which once collectively undertaken at a larger level possess the ability to reform the entire society. Thanks to all of you – LEU founders and Members for giving us the opportunity to be a part of reform we all would love to see!
P.S. – Here is a link to few of the photographs that were taken during the event.
My colleagues were interested to do something on the social front for quite some time now. But, none of us were able to break through towards this cause till Yesterday. Thanks to one of my cousin-cum-friend – Prem, who is actively involved with NGO activities for upliftment of underprivileged children since his MBA days. I spoke to him about the interest our group had and we managed to organize a small workshop at "Bal Shikha Kendra" run under the flagship of "LEU Foundation" yesterday in the first half.
After several round of conversations, seven of us managed to reach the school on Saturday morning for this activity. There is this small "basti" in sector 53 which is flanked by tall buildings from all sides. Many of the high salary paid associates living in these buildings would not have slightest of the hint that approx. 4000 people are living in this "basti" in not so hygienic conditions. It was startling to note that over 1000 kids live here bereft of higher education and prosperous future. As briefed by Prem in the kick-off discussion, this school was set up some 18 months ago to help them prepare for admission into primary schools based on their age group and readiness. In fact, they have managed to push 78 such kids into mainstream education system through government schools in nearby localities. We did a tour of school with him after the debrief. The entire structure is made of wood and tarpaulins with a wooden fence to protect the school against invasion of cows, dogs and pigs. There are two classes and two whole time teachers who control the operations. There are about 100 odd kids who come to the school on a consistent basis.
After the tour, we were asked to conduct a survey in the "basti" on the health awareness. We marched inside the "basti" and began the survey filling the questionnaire given to us. Few common problems surfaced in the process were related to usage of untreated water in the households, absence of toilets in the area and ambiguity about importance of education for children. All the volunteers did their best to cover as many families as possible. All of us did a fair job and came back to school after half an hour.
Next activity was to clear the grass away from the school yard. Though we did not have automatic lawnmower to do this, we took the job very seriously and started clearing the grass with manual tools such as hoe and spade. About half of the grass was removed from the school area within 20 minutes. Since we were planned to do other activities, we had to stop at this stage. They are in process of constructing the third classroom and the floor level has to be equal so that it is comfortable for the kids. Hence, we were supposed to carry soil bags from outside the school premises and fill the floor of the class with the soil. The added advantage of this activity was that the level of soil at the gate of the school could also be reduced substantially as heaps of hard soils made the entry uneasy. This seemed relatively easy to do initially but turned out to be a sweating exercise as we carried those bags several times. We continued for another 35 minutes before settling down with kids.
Then, we spent some time with kids who were eagerly waiting for the biggest event of the day – “The Magic Show”. We had arranged for a magician to do some tricks and entertain the kids. All the kids were so upbeat about this and turned silent like obedient students at the instructions of their teachers. The magic show began and all of us dispersed among the kids during the show. It was really fun to see them interact with magician wittily and intelligently. Some of the tricks were really breathtaking. After the show was over, we distributed drawing books, crayons and fruits to the kids. All the kids were so cute and disciplined that I could just remember my school days. It was such a wonderful experience that I can hardly think of anything else एवें now.
This was indeed a tiny step towards a noble cause which in no way is comparable to what can be done to uplift the awareness and progress of poor people in our society. Although a very tiny step but worth a heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and members of this foundation, as these are a tiny steps which once collectively undertaken at a larger level possess the ability to reform the entire society. Thanks to all of you – LEU founders and Members for giving us the opportunity to be a part of reform we all would love to see!
P.S. – Here is a link to few of the photographs that were taken during the event.
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2 comments:
Wonderful Vishal. Its very noble to undertake volunteer activity, whatever the sphere may be. Although the work may have been arduous, I am sure the joy you feel must be immense. Each of us must take a leaf out of your book and donate our time - for that's the greatest donation we can make.
@ Ramesh - thank you so much for the kind words. Your last line says it all. Most of us can donate and infact donate everything except time. It is a pity that life becomes so busy that there is no time to spread "compassion and love of God".
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