Hi there!!!
iVolunteer in partnership with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) had organised a Study tour for 6 Srilankan participants (from NGO’s working in areas of disabilities) on National Volunteering/Community volunteering followed by a Volunteer management workshop which was open for all and we had around 25 participants for the same. I got a wonderful opportunity to lead this project. I had a great knowledgable learning through this. Thought to share my experience with you all…
After the project got decided I gave a previsit to APD’s rural NGO in Kamathampalli in Chintamani taluk (Kolar) I was amazed by the wonderful work that is being done in rural India. Past 2 and half years I have been working closely on urban projects and this was my first Rural project.
Just to brief about place we visited in rural area:
Rural APD supports 5000 disabled people from 250 villages with 42 staff members and support from peer groups and parents of special children, through seven programmes viz.:
People organisation group/Advocacy programme
CBR – Community based rehabilitation
ICDS – Deaf Education
Motivation – Spinal Cord injury + Wheel chair project (tie up with a Srilankan NGO named Motivation)
Training and Employment – Career guidance and placement
Mental Health
Fund raising
We started our study tour by visiting an Urban NGO (Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled) where we got to know in brief about the organisation and various volunteering opportunities. This was follwed by the rural visit where we visited organisations, did school visits, home visits and also attended meetings. There is soooo much of work being done at both places, so much of difference between how we work here in cities and over there in rural India. They have specific dates fixed for specific meetings (like parents meeting, TDF- Taluk Disability Federation meeting etc etc) every month and they follow it up every month without any change in plan. We got a chance to be part of few of them as the dates coincided with our visit there. Got a chance to see how they are trying to bring awareness amongst the general public by doing home to home visit and follow ups. Also trying to resolve the problems of ground level by having Panachayat meeting then TDF meetings and if nt resoved at this stage having DDF ( District Disability Federation meeting) by actually inviting the concerned Government officials for their meetings. They work towards resolving problems as a group, Eg.: there was a case where the disabled gets Rs 125 as PF every month but the post man used to give them in hand Rs 100/- only reason being balance he needs for his travel. After discussing the same in meetings they approached the post master where again the problem wasn’t taken care of. Imagine 5,000 disabled in a village going through this problem, finally they put an article in paper and brought awareness to others as well and today everything is working well with actual money in their handJ Other case where a a disabled student wasn’t getting admission in college because he couldn’t climb the starecases and his class was on first floor. Finally after follow up and with frequent requests to principal, today he is pursuing his further studies, with class being shifted to ground floor.
I was surprised to notice the way people Volunteer here and there is totally different, here we come out of our own willingness to bring a change without any expectations in return like eg. Providing reader’s service to visually challenged in our free time, but there we see parents of affected children coming ahead to volunteer, because they have seen the change in their child. Villagers feel good about the work but when it comes to volunteering you see only the relatives and family of beneficiaries and no one else. Training is given on severe disabilities, physiotheraphy, awareness building etc to all parents and also beneficiaries who in turn they go and volunteer. Simple little techniques on how to best utilise the available resources and make a 100% disabled child to reduce his/her disability is what I have actually observed there. Eg.: You may see how this fully challenged girl is now able to walk using the simple bamboo and wooden pillars:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268404435483777714
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268404460122284050
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268404912652809938
I have seen how well inclusiveness has been working there. During home visits, volunteers bring awareness on inclusiveness and making special kids join the government school.
Check these examples of physically challenged, visually impaired and hearing impaired child being part of schools:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268401779128188274
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268402730168302674
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#5268401075720137842
And along with this child other kids learn basic sign language to communicate with him. They are given sign language class once in a week on every Friday.
Lots to share, lots of things going on, lots is being done, lots can be done… Even we can go there from cities for atleast few days and train them in spoken English and awareness building, because an outsider coming from urban area will have more impact, so my mail has also given you a volunteering opportunityJ At iVolunteer we have rural project called iVolunteer India Fellow Professional, if you are willing to be part of it by using your qualifications and skills you may email to professional@ivolunteer.in. I here by conclude my email with the wonderful snaps links which you may enjoy viewing:
Pre visit:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/RuralAPD#
Study tour:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/IVolunteerVSOStudyTourRuralvisit#
Volunteer management workshop:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/InternationalVolunteerManagementWorkshop#
Special Thanks to VSO for partnering with us for this project and to each and every staff member of Association of people with disability (APD) and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled for making this study tour a suceess full of learning and fun for everyone.
Thanks and enjoy maadi!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer -- Your skills can change lives.www.iVolunteer.in
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
No. 384, 6th Cross, 18th ‘E’ Main,
6th Block, Koramangala,
Bangalore - 560 095
Tel: +91-080-41466568
Cell: +91-99803 50180
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A super cool unique hatke event where beneficiaries were befactors!!!!
Hi there,
Curious to read feedbacks and see more snaps of the event where beneficiaries did super cool volunteering???? Check this out, please request you to take sometime out and read it!!! It really moved me when I read all the feedbacks, especially when I read how the event has inspired the Special volunteers. Their thoughts on event has inspired me to do more such events in coming future. I really am feeling great to have coordinated this hatke event with everyone’s support. Thank you all, keep rocking the voluntary world guys.
Snaps links:
http://picasaweb.google.com/qhayyum99/Omashram (as shared by volunteer Abdul Qhayyum)
http://picasaweb.google.com/qhayyum99/HolyFamilyHomeForTheAged (snaps of last event at Holy Home for aged)
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/ASuperCoolUniqueHatkeEvent# (updated from volunteer Sunaina’s camera tooJ)
http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore (past event snaps)
Feedbacks time:
Organisation’s feedback:
Anuradha, Head Mistress, APD school:
It was wonderful experience for our trainees. Trainees were jumping with joy because they volunteered! Thanks a lot to all the volunteers for making this as memorable event
Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee, Om Ashram:
Thank you very much for organising such a lovely event at Omashram. The staff and residents were extremely touched by the interaction of the students of APD and all the visitors present there.
I would also like to congratulate the team of volunteers who have taken so much pain to coordinate and make the event enjoyable and successful. We wish to have many more gatherings like this!!!!!!!! Where the residents of Omashram are made to feel happy and are convinced that there are many more persons like them who are happy and can spread happiness around themselves in spite of any disabilities whatsoever!!!!!!!!! It was a magical event.. Changed the faces of one and all.... Thanks to the entire team of iVolunteer... Omashram had a great day, in fact almost, a day filled with variety entertainment!!!!!!!!! Blessings from all the elders at Omashram to all of you. God bless you.
Ankur, iVolunteer, Volunteer Relationship Executive
"Well it doesn't really happen too often. How many times does a person in need of assistance himself extends his hand to help out others? None that I can recall. This fantastic, bright and immensely innovative idea of letting a bunch of hearing impaired Diploma students (from APD) spend quality time with the elderly inmates of OM Ashram was boiling over in our very own Prarthana's mind since a long time. And when it actually took shape on 4th October it turned out to be something which went way beyond our expectations in terms of the happiness and satisfaction that it evidently provided to the participants.
It has left an indelible impression on my mind also and I shall always cherish it as my first tryst with something so unique.
Kudos to Prarthana for the idea!!!!!"
Abhijit, Asst. Director, Institutional Development, APD,
I believe it was a really touching and memorable exposure. You are enjoying what you are doing. That gives energy. Great!!!
Volunteer’s feedback:
Abdul Qhayyum, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It was great experience at Om ashram with APD students, People with out speech have so much to tell and they could tell it with there actions. Felt very happy and Enjoyed those small skits which were done with such perfection, it was an amazing experience. This event could be considered as among best events of the year. This was a great start for this month, hope many more events to follow..
Sunaina, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Super Hatke Sunday:
Event: iVolunteers along with special volunteers (hearing impaired children) spent a few hours at Om ashram - an old age home...
Saturday October 4th 2008 was really special. I was really anxious and excited at the same time to take part in this event. It was a nice long ride to Om ashram, though I did go in circles before I actually found the place. All the volunteers reached at the same time. We were all asked to assemble in the hall and the deaf children were made to sit down... The children were so happy. There was so much joy on all their faces. Looking at them, one can never tell that they are deaf.
The event started off with each one of us introducing ourselves. The children were the ones to begin, they used the sign language to spell out their names. And apart from their real names they had a sign name which I thought was pretty cool. Then it was our turn to introduce ourselves. The children were really creative to help us come up with our sign names. Prarthana introduced Geetha(trustee of Om Ashram) and the other members of the old age home. Thus everyone had two names by the end of the day - a real name and a sign name...
After a round of introduction, we set out in groups of three to explore the ashram. There are 3 rooms in the ashram with 3 oldies in each room. Something about old people makes me sad. I have seen both my grandfathers die in front of my eyes and every time I look at any oldie sick it reminds me of that moment. So I normally try to stay away from old people. But the children were so excited to see them and they did everything that they could to bring a smile on their faces. I could see all the oldies smile with genuine happiness. Some of them sat next to the oldies and tried to talk to them in their own sweet way. One of the children massaged an old sick lady and she smiled. That smile lit up everyone’s face. And another lady living in the ashram moved with her hands because her waist down has no feeling. She crawled towards the hall and sat in one corner. Geetha told me her story and asked me to go talk to her. I was a little hesitant, but I mustered courage and walked towards her. I just spoke 2 sentences and that made her smile. I felt great at that moment. 2 simple sentences of mine can bring so much happiness in ones life. WOW.
We brought a few oldies to the living room and all the children presented a few skits for us. They were so excited to perform for all of us. They are super talented I must say. We also had a magic show organized for the kids. Few of us blew balloons and the entire hall was bustling with so much energy and colour. We also learnt a new way to clap. (Lift your hands and move your fingers in a bye-bye wave motion) There were loads of cheers and claps. Every single soul in that room was happy...Of course there was food: samosa's, sweets, biscuits and juice. yummy for the tummy... We all ate away happily...
Last but not the least - Photo session... A truly unforgettable experience...
I would like to thank Prarthana for organizing this wonderful special event. As I said before you are truly an angel ever-smiling....
Stay that way and would love to be a part of many more events to come... Thank you Geetha - you are an angel tooo...
One last thing I would like to add - Imagine spending one day without any sound. Most of us can’t sleep if the fan is off. We are so used to sound of the fan. Ha!!! These children live everyday without sound. But they are always smiling and looking at them makes you smile. There's more to life than what you see... Stay happy and Keep smiling ;)
And if you thought you can’t make a difference, think again... If one smile can bring happiness to an old woman whom I have never met, I am sure you can do more... So spread the joy and smile away....
Abhiranjan Sethi, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Since I was volunteering for the first time, I was a bit skeptical and nervous on what to do. However the enthusiasm of the special children, inspired me a lot. I am much more confident and enthusiastic now to work for the needy.
It also opened my eyes to the multifaceted abilities of the special children. Although they may look to have some form of deficiency, but I felt they are much more talented then many able bodied people.
Reshma, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It was my pleasure that I was able to attend the event and share my joy with all. It was really a superb event. Let God bless us all for making more events like this andfor overall social development of the country.
Archana V Kumar, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
It was a great event with APD students at Omashram. It was an innovative concept that worked well. I visit Omashram every week and this time it was much more fun and learning with so many volunteers with lots of activities, watching dramas, magic shows and interactions with APD students.
When we all were watching the drama and magic show, it looked like a whole big family sitting together and having fun, just like it happens at home. I met Geetha Shankar for the first time. I was amazed to see her get along so well with everyone around her, her passion for a cause and the way she enjoys doing things at Omashram. I was also happy to see the founder of Omashram. The article from the blog that was circulated was great and very informative.
I also loved interacting with the APD students when I was trying to explain to them about a few inmates of Omashram. And I thank Anupama for helping me communicate with everyone. And when I introduced them to Sethamma and when she sang, all were amazed to hear her song. When I introduced a few of them from APD to Telugu speaking inmates, they started conversations with them. And when I asked the inmates, they said they felt homely interacting with them in Telugu. The students from APD have really made a difference to many inmates. When I started telling them about one of the inmates who was not being taken care of and rejected by the son and her health problems, I could understand the expressions of APD students and I also saw them discussing with each other, the problems the elderly face. Seeing so many students, one of the inmates started remembering her family, her childhood days and started crying. However she became ok when a few of us consoled her, told her that all the ones present there were her kids after which she got ready for a photo of hers with a smile.
I also appreciate the volunteers from APD for all the good work and for making the environment at Omashram so lively. And also for representing my name in a unique way. Prarthana, you too did a good job through all those interpretation, trying to fill up the communication gap.
It was great to see how different organizations working for different causes but with a common idea to serve humanity, like Omashram and APD in this case, can support each other and synergize.
Asha, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
It was a very different and an amazing event with elderly and special students of APD in Omashram on Saturday. I had been to many one time events but this one was very unique as the volunteers who joined were very special. We spent 4-5 hrs of quality time out there interacting with both the special groups. It was a great moment to see the special students perform for the elderly people (of course for volunteers as well) At the end of the event both the students and the elderly were happy to have done something different. and I must thank the students of APD for teaching me alphabets in sign language ;) I was trying to communicate with them in their language :))) I thank Prarthana for arranging such a special event and also Geetha for her support. Looking forward to be part of more of such events... Thanks to all the volunteers who made special by their presence.
Chandraprabha, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
I really felt very happy. That was a great and different event where special children took part as volunteers. Even though they are special from all of us they took the responsibility of coming to Old age home and making the event special. This is the best example for " Communication is not a barrier for social service”, where they proved that language is not important instead the willingness to serve our society is important.
In this event we not only enjoyed but learnt the sign language. :) Each moment was filled with enjoyment starting from introduction till magic show, giving particular sign to each person.. I got FAIR as my sign from Fathima:) She was so cute.
All those students performed really well in front of so many people this shows they are brave and intelligent. All grandmas and grandpas felt very happy when we told them that special students have come to meet them...
Thanks to iVolunteer and special thanks to you and Geeta Shankar for organising this special event. I truly enjoyed the event . Would like to be a part of such event in future too...
Finally here is what everyone including all our volunteers who were part of event are willing to read. Yes our Special Volunteers (the beneficiaries turning to be benefactors) feedbacks (as shared by them with Anuradha):
v It was a wonder full experience where we were volunteering!
v We always receive volunteering services from others this is the first time we were serving for others which was a unique experience for us
v It was heart touching moment for us when they were sharing their problems we realized most of the children left their parents because of some misunderstanding & difference in their living style which we should not do with our parents
v When we do lots of mistakes in our young age our parents will excuse us & help us to correct ourselves. But when we grown up, we forget all this & we don’t have courtesy to forget some mistake done by our parents how can we be so selfish? It was really painful for us to know how children ignore their parents. This visit has brought consciousness within ourselves that we should take care of our parents.
v We did some cultural activities which brought smile on their face; looking at them we too were very happy
v We spent time with them & we pressed their legs which made them to relax .We realized how happy we will be if we spent even little time with them how qualitative time it will become, we never knew volunteering will bring so much happiness to us.
v We would like to thank all the team members of I-Volunteer for arranging this visit.
v We were surprised to see that one granny at the age of 99 can speak well & sing with so much happiness. This has given lot of inspiration to us that despite of having disability if we wish we can achieve what we wish to be.
v When we were talking with them we realized how painful it is for the parents to live without their children .After this visit I decided that I will never do like this to my parents & I will also advice to my friends .I will never ever leave my parents alone .
v It has given immense happiness to do this kind of work .I will try to visit again & do some service here.
v We waste so much time just like that, looking at this experience I felt instead of wasting time we can do much qualitative work.
So!!! Nothing else to speak, we just wish and pray that everyone uses their skills for good cause and be the change because???? “Your skills can change lives”!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
From: Prarthana Unkalkar [mailto:prarthana@ivolunteer.in] Sent: 05 October 2008 17:02To: 'ivolunteer-blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'iva-all@yahoogroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'ivolunteer-asha@googlegroups.com'; 'kilikili_volunteers@googlegroups.com'; 'ivolunteerteam@yahoogroups.com'; 'invites@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'apdblr@dataone.in'; 'abhijit'; 'anuradha bai'; 'Sravanthi Dasari'; 'Babu'; 'prema'; 'thomas v'; 'Geetha Shankar'; 'mohanpai@hotmail.com'; 'mohanpai1938@gmail.com'; 'moonshekar123@indiatimes.com'Subject: Thank you very much - A super cool unique hatke event where beneficiaries were befactors!!!!
Hi there,
Thanks a lotttt to each and every one for making this event veryyyyyyy special and memorable for everyone!!! This was the first time where beneficiaries were benefactors and we made an effort to ask the Special Students pursuing diploma at APD to act as volunteers… I am glad that every student present there performed his/her role perfectly. Right from meeting elderly to bringing smiles to everyone’s face to sharing their skills by performing skits and ek min acts to making few elderlies feel relaxed by pressing there hands and legs for few mins to being a good audience for the special magic show to giving each and everyone present there a sign nameJ… Can never forget the smile of granny who was stable and wasn’t able to move when few girls pressed her hands and legs!!! This was most unforgettable event and I’ll always cherish the memories throughout my lifetime… One thought that caught my mind was when one of the Hearing Impaired Student commented saying, “You should encourage the hearing impaired to volunteer and let us know how we can volunteer, this is the first time we saw an old age home and volunteered, all thanks to you all for taking that first step of inviting us” My heartfelt thanks to these “Special Volunteers who made everyone’s day special”
As always each and every volunteer present made the event a success by their presence, help and interactive participation all throughout… Was very worried about how everything will go, but you all did it, right from picking up our special volunteers to interacting through out to blowing balloons to being a good audience to spending time with all to bringing smiles to dropping them back safely. I must thank a lot to all 4 volunteers who began their day by picking up the students and to my surprises all those who were involved in this volunteer work had come from very far off places and must have araam se driven more than 50 kms yesterday… Also very special thanks to “Satish – The Magician” who did magical miracles and we all kept wondering what’s happening and how did he do it!!!! Right from rope magic to news paper magic to the cards magic to to to……. Thanks much to Chandrashekar who coordinated for the magic show. Also thank you sooo much to our little 6 year old volunteer Harshith and 3 year old little Rukku and the staff members of Om Ashram to have helped us in coordinating the event and staff members of APD to have helped us as well!!!!
Thank you everyone again and again… Lots more to do, so be charged up for future events!!!!
I am sure you all are eagerly waiting to read feedbacks of volunteers, especially special ones and also to see snaps!!! Plzz wait maadi for feedbacks!!! But few snaps can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/ASuperCoolUniqueHatkeEvent# To add I am also glad to share that we have done soooo many events here in Bangalore that our album space is over and I had to create a new id J You may view past event snaps at http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore
You will be able to see more snaps taken by other volunteers and feedbacks sometime soon in next week!!!!
Thank you very much, take care, enjoy maadi and make an effort to change lives by using your skills!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
From: Prarthana Unkalkar [mailto:prarthana@ivolunteer.in] Sent: 01 October 2008 02:04To: 'ivolunteer-blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'iva-all@yahoogroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'ivolunteer-asha@googlegroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'apdblr@dataone.in'; 'abhijit'; 'anuradha bai'; 'Sravanthi Dasari'; 'Babu'; 'prema'; 'thomas v'; 'Geetha Shankar'; 'mohanpai@hotmail.com'; 'mohanpai1938@gmail.com'Subject: A super cool unique hatke event awaits you this Saturday morning!!!
Hi there,
Gooooood Morning!!!!
Want to be part of a super cool unique hatke event? Want to be part of an event where beneficiaries will act as volunteers???? Surprised???
Yes !!! you read it right, yesterday’s beneficiaries will be today’s volunteers!!! J
Here is an unique event planned this Saturday for a group of our very special volunteers who are Diploma Students (who are hearing impaired) of APD (The Association Of People With Disability) and have shown their willingness to spend time at a Old Age Care with the elderly inmates… So here we go…. No. of students will be announced shortly… But as of now the plan is – Diploma Students + 1 or 2 faculty member and few volunteers accompanying them will leave APD by sharp 8 AM and reach Ayyappa Temple in Vijaya Bank Colony by 9.15 am max… OM Ashram, an old age care with 2 units consisting of 25 members is walking distance from there. So all will walk together to Om Ashram and spend time with elderly there for around 2 hours atleast!!!
This will be the first time these very special volunteers will visit an Old Age Home… Make their experience memorable by your presence and innovative ideas…
You have 2 days in hand, so come out with some hatke ideas on how to make this event a super success… Also confirm your presence at both places or atleast at 1 place i.e. Old age care where you’ll meet everyone. There is no availibility of organisation bus on 4th, so the students will be coming by BMTC public transport… If few 4 wheeler volunteers wanna plan up on the mode of transport and assit the students reaching to Old age home, you are most welcomeJ
Awaiting gooooood responses!!! Letzzz enjoyyyyy maadi and rock maadi the event!!! Get set goooo!!!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
Curious to read feedbacks and see more snaps of the event where beneficiaries did super cool volunteering???? Check this out, please request you to take sometime out and read it!!! It really moved me when I read all the feedbacks, especially when I read how the event has inspired the Special volunteers. Their thoughts on event has inspired me to do more such events in coming future. I really am feeling great to have coordinated this hatke event with everyone’s support. Thank you all, keep rocking the voluntary world guys.
Snaps links:
http://picasaweb.google.com/qhayyum99/Omashram (as shared by volunteer Abdul Qhayyum)
http://picasaweb.google.com/qhayyum99/HolyFamilyHomeForTheAged (snaps of last event at Holy Home for aged)
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/ASuperCoolUniqueHatkeEvent# (updated from volunteer Sunaina’s camera tooJ)
http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore (past event snaps)
Feedbacks time:
Organisation’s feedback:
Anuradha, Head Mistress, APD school:
It was wonderful experience for our trainees. Trainees were jumping with joy because they volunteered! Thanks a lot to all the volunteers for making this as memorable event
Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee, Om Ashram:
Thank you very much for organising such a lovely event at Omashram. The staff and residents were extremely touched by the interaction of the students of APD and all the visitors present there.
I would also like to congratulate the team of volunteers who have taken so much pain to coordinate and make the event enjoyable and successful. We wish to have many more gatherings like this!!!!!!!! Where the residents of Omashram are made to feel happy and are convinced that there are many more persons like them who are happy and can spread happiness around themselves in spite of any disabilities whatsoever!!!!!!!!! It was a magical event.. Changed the faces of one and all.... Thanks to the entire team of iVolunteer... Omashram had a great day, in fact almost, a day filled with variety entertainment!!!!!!!!! Blessings from all the elders at Omashram to all of you. God bless you.
Ankur, iVolunteer, Volunteer Relationship Executive
"Well it doesn't really happen too often. How many times does a person in need of assistance himself extends his hand to help out others? None that I can recall. This fantastic, bright and immensely innovative idea of letting a bunch of hearing impaired Diploma students (from APD) spend quality time with the elderly inmates of OM Ashram was boiling over in our very own Prarthana's mind since a long time. And when it actually took shape on 4th October it turned out to be something which went way beyond our expectations in terms of the happiness and satisfaction that it evidently provided to the participants.
It has left an indelible impression on my mind also and I shall always cherish it as my first tryst with something so unique.
Kudos to Prarthana for the idea!!!!!"
Abhijit, Asst. Director, Institutional Development, APD,
I believe it was a really touching and memorable exposure. You are enjoying what you are doing. That gives energy. Great!!!
Volunteer’s feedback:
Abdul Qhayyum, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It was great experience at Om ashram with APD students, People with out speech have so much to tell and they could tell it with there actions. Felt very happy and Enjoyed those small skits which were done with such perfection, it was an amazing experience. This event could be considered as among best events of the year. This was a great start for this month, hope many more events to follow..
Sunaina, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Super Hatke Sunday:
Event: iVolunteers along with special volunteers (hearing impaired children) spent a few hours at Om ashram - an old age home...
Saturday October 4th 2008 was really special. I was really anxious and excited at the same time to take part in this event. It was a nice long ride to Om ashram, though I did go in circles before I actually found the place. All the volunteers reached at the same time. We were all asked to assemble in the hall and the deaf children were made to sit down... The children were so happy. There was so much joy on all their faces. Looking at them, one can never tell that they are deaf.
The event started off with each one of us introducing ourselves. The children were the ones to begin, they used the sign language to spell out their names. And apart from their real names they had a sign name which I thought was pretty cool. Then it was our turn to introduce ourselves. The children were really creative to help us come up with our sign names. Prarthana introduced Geetha(trustee of Om Ashram) and the other members of the old age home. Thus everyone had two names by the end of the day - a real name and a sign name...
After a round of introduction, we set out in groups of three to explore the ashram. There are 3 rooms in the ashram with 3 oldies in each room. Something about old people makes me sad. I have seen both my grandfathers die in front of my eyes and every time I look at any oldie sick it reminds me of that moment. So I normally try to stay away from old people. But the children were so excited to see them and they did everything that they could to bring a smile on their faces. I could see all the oldies smile with genuine happiness. Some of them sat next to the oldies and tried to talk to them in their own sweet way. One of the children massaged an old sick lady and she smiled. That smile lit up everyone’s face. And another lady living in the ashram moved with her hands because her waist down has no feeling. She crawled towards the hall and sat in one corner. Geetha told me her story and asked me to go talk to her. I was a little hesitant, but I mustered courage and walked towards her. I just spoke 2 sentences and that made her smile. I felt great at that moment. 2 simple sentences of mine can bring so much happiness in ones life. WOW.
We brought a few oldies to the living room and all the children presented a few skits for us. They were so excited to perform for all of us. They are super talented I must say. We also had a magic show organized for the kids. Few of us blew balloons and the entire hall was bustling with so much energy and colour. We also learnt a new way to clap. (Lift your hands and move your fingers in a bye-bye wave motion) There were loads of cheers and claps. Every single soul in that room was happy...Of course there was food: samosa's, sweets, biscuits and juice. yummy for the tummy... We all ate away happily...
Last but not the least - Photo session... A truly unforgettable experience...
I would like to thank Prarthana for organizing this wonderful special event. As I said before you are truly an angel ever-smiling....
Stay that way and would love to be a part of many more events to come... Thank you Geetha - you are an angel tooo...
One last thing I would like to add - Imagine spending one day without any sound. Most of us can’t sleep if the fan is off. We are so used to sound of the fan. Ha!!! These children live everyday without sound. But they are always smiling and looking at them makes you smile. There's more to life than what you see... Stay happy and Keep smiling ;)
And if you thought you can’t make a difference, think again... If one smile can bring happiness to an old woman whom I have never met, I am sure you can do more... So spread the joy and smile away....
Abhiranjan Sethi, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Since I was volunteering for the first time, I was a bit skeptical and nervous on what to do. However the enthusiasm of the special children, inspired me a lot. I am much more confident and enthusiastic now to work for the needy.
It also opened my eyes to the multifaceted abilities of the special children. Although they may look to have some form of deficiency, but I felt they are much more talented then many able bodied people.
Reshma, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It was my pleasure that I was able to attend the event and share my joy with all. It was really a superb event. Let God bless us all for making more events like this andfor overall social development of the country.
Archana V Kumar, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
It was a great event with APD students at Omashram. It was an innovative concept that worked well. I visit Omashram every week and this time it was much more fun and learning with so many volunteers with lots of activities, watching dramas, magic shows and interactions with APD students.
When we all were watching the drama and magic show, it looked like a whole big family sitting together and having fun, just like it happens at home. I met Geetha Shankar for the first time. I was amazed to see her get along so well with everyone around her, her passion for a cause and the way she enjoys doing things at Omashram. I was also happy to see the founder of Omashram. The article from the blog that was circulated was great and very informative.
I also loved interacting with the APD students when I was trying to explain to them about a few inmates of Omashram. And I thank Anupama for helping me communicate with everyone. And when I introduced them to Sethamma and when she sang, all were amazed to hear her song. When I introduced a few of them from APD to Telugu speaking inmates, they started conversations with them. And when I asked the inmates, they said they felt homely interacting with them in Telugu. The students from APD have really made a difference to many inmates. When I started telling them about one of the inmates who was not being taken care of and rejected by the son and her health problems, I could understand the expressions of APD students and I also saw them discussing with each other, the problems the elderly face. Seeing so many students, one of the inmates started remembering her family, her childhood days and started crying. However she became ok when a few of us consoled her, told her that all the ones present there were her kids after which she got ready for a photo of hers with a smile.
I also appreciate the volunteers from APD for all the good work and for making the environment at Omashram so lively. And also for representing my name in a unique way. Prarthana, you too did a good job through all those interpretation, trying to fill up the communication gap.
It was great to see how different organizations working for different causes but with a common idea to serve humanity, like Omashram and APD in this case, can support each other and synergize.
Asha, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
It was a very different and an amazing event with elderly and special students of APD in Omashram on Saturday. I had been to many one time events but this one was very unique as the volunteers who joined were very special. We spent 4-5 hrs of quality time out there interacting with both the special groups. It was a great moment to see the special students perform for the elderly people (of course for volunteers as well) At the end of the event both the students and the elderly were happy to have done something different. and I must thank the students of APD for teaching me alphabets in sign language ;) I was trying to communicate with them in their language :))) I thank Prarthana for arranging such a special event and also Geetha for her support. Looking forward to be part of more of such events... Thanks to all the volunteers who made special by their presence.
Chandraprabha, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
I really felt very happy. That was a great and different event where special children took part as volunteers. Even though they are special from all of us they took the responsibility of coming to Old age home and making the event special. This is the best example for " Communication is not a barrier for social service”, where they proved that language is not important instead the willingness to serve our society is important.
In this event we not only enjoyed but learnt the sign language. :) Each moment was filled with enjoyment starting from introduction till magic show, giving particular sign to each person.. I got FAIR as my sign from Fathima:) She was so cute.
All those students performed really well in front of so many people this shows they are brave and intelligent. All grandmas and grandpas felt very happy when we told them that special students have come to meet them...
Thanks to iVolunteer and special thanks to you and Geeta Shankar for organising this special event. I truly enjoyed the event . Would like to be a part of such event in future too...
Finally here is what everyone including all our volunteers who were part of event are willing to read. Yes our Special Volunteers (the beneficiaries turning to be benefactors) feedbacks (as shared by them with Anuradha):
v It was a wonder full experience where we were volunteering!
v We always receive volunteering services from others this is the first time we were serving for others which was a unique experience for us
v It was heart touching moment for us when they were sharing their problems we realized most of the children left their parents because of some misunderstanding & difference in their living style which we should not do with our parents
v When we do lots of mistakes in our young age our parents will excuse us & help us to correct ourselves. But when we grown up, we forget all this & we don’t have courtesy to forget some mistake done by our parents how can we be so selfish? It was really painful for us to know how children ignore their parents. This visit has brought consciousness within ourselves that we should take care of our parents.
v We did some cultural activities which brought smile on their face; looking at them we too were very happy
v We spent time with them & we pressed their legs which made them to relax .We realized how happy we will be if we spent even little time with them how qualitative time it will become, we never knew volunteering will bring so much happiness to us.
v We would like to thank all the team members of I-Volunteer for arranging this visit.
v We were surprised to see that one granny at the age of 99 can speak well & sing with so much happiness. This has given lot of inspiration to us that despite of having disability if we wish we can achieve what we wish to be.
v When we were talking with them we realized how painful it is for the parents to live without their children .After this visit I decided that I will never do like this to my parents & I will also advice to my friends .I will never ever leave my parents alone .
v It has given immense happiness to do this kind of work .I will try to visit again & do some service here.
v We waste so much time just like that, looking at this experience I felt instead of wasting time we can do much qualitative work.
So!!! Nothing else to speak, we just wish and pray that everyone uses their skills for good cause and be the change because???? “Your skills can change lives”!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
From: Prarthana Unkalkar [mailto:prarthana@ivolunteer.in] Sent: 05 October 2008 17:02To: 'ivolunteer-blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'iva-all@yahoogroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'ivolunteer-asha@googlegroups.com'; 'kilikili_volunteers@googlegroups.com'; 'ivolunteerteam@yahoogroups.com'; 'invites@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'apdblr@dataone.in'; 'abhijit'; 'anuradha bai'; 'Sravanthi Dasari'; 'Babu'; 'prema'; 'thomas v'; 'Geetha Shankar'; 'mohanpai@hotmail.com'; 'mohanpai1938@gmail.com'; 'moonshekar123@indiatimes.com'Subject: Thank you very much - A super cool unique hatke event where beneficiaries were befactors!!!!
Hi there,
Thanks a lotttt to each and every one for making this event veryyyyyyy special and memorable for everyone!!! This was the first time where beneficiaries were benefactors and we made an effort to ask the Special Students pursuing diploma at APD to act as volunteers… I am glad that every student present there performed his/her role perfectly. Right from meeting elderly to bringing smiles to everyone’s face to sharing their skills by performing skits and ek min acts to making few elderlies feel relaxed by pressing there hands and legs for few mins to being a good audience for the special magic show to giving each and everyone present there a sign nameJ… Can never forget the smile of granny who was stable and wasn’t able to move when few girls pressed her hands and legs!!! This was most unforgettable event and I’ll always cherish the memories throughout my lifetime… One thought that caught my mind was when one of the Hearing Impaired Student commented saying, “You should encourage the hearing impaired to volunteer and let us know how we can volunteer, this is the first time we saw an old age home and volunteered, all thanks to you all for taking that first step of inviting us” My heartfelt thanks to these “Special Volunteers who made everyone’s day special”
As always each and every volunteer present made the event a success by their presence, help and interactive participation all throughout… Was very worried about how everything will go, but you all did it, right from picking up our special volunteers to interacting through out to blowing balloons to being a good audience to spending time with all to bringing smiles to dropping them back safely. I must thank a lot to all 4 volunteers who began their day by picking up the students and to my surprises all those who were involved in this volunteer work had come from very far off places and must have araam se driven more than 50 kms yesterday… Also very special thanks to “Satish – The Magician” who did magical miracles and we all kept wondering what’s happening and how did he do it!!!! Right from rope magic to news paper magic to the cards magic to to to……. Thanks much to Chandrashekar who coordinated for the magic show. Also thank you sooo much to our little 6 year old volunteer Harshith and 3 year old little Rukku and the staff members of Om Ashram to have helped us in coordinating the event and staff members of APD to have helped us as well!!!!
Thank you everyone again and again… Lots more to do, so be charged up for future events!!!!
I am sure you all are eagerly waiting to read feedbacks of volunteers, especially special ones and also to see snaps!!! Plzz wait maadi for feedbacks!!! But few snaps can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/ASuperCoolUniqueHatkeEvent# To add I am also glad to share that we have done soooo many events here in Bangalore that our album space is over and I had to create a new id J You may view past event snaps at http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore
You will be able to see more snaps taken by other volunteers and feedbacks sometime soon in next week!!!!
Thank you very much, take care, enjoy maadi and make an effort to change lives by using your skills!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
From: Prarthana Unkalkar [mailto:prarthana@ivolunteer.in] Sent: 01 October 2008 02:04To: 'ivolunteer-blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'iva-all@yahoogroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'; 'ivolunteer-asha@googlegroups.com'; 'vConnect-Blr@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'apdblr@dataone.in'; 'abhijit'; 'anuradha bai'; 'Sravanthi Dasari'; 'Babu'; 'prema'; 'thomas v'; 'Geetha Shankar'; 'mohanpai@hotmail.com'; 'mohanpai1938@gmail.com'Subject: A super cool unique hatke event awaits you this Saturday morning!!!
Hi there,
Gooooood Morning!!!!
Want to be part of a super cool unique hatke event? Want to be part of an event where beneficiaries will act as volunteers???? Surprised???
Yes !!! you read it right, yesterday’s beneficiaries will be today’s volunteers!!! J
Here is an unique event planned this Saturday for a group of our very special volunteers who are Diploma Students (who are hearing impaired) of APD (The Association Of People With Disability) and have shown their willingness to spend time at a Old Age Care with the elderly inmates… So here we go…. No. of students will be announced shortly… But as of now the plan is – Diploma Students + 1 or 2 faculty member and few volunteers accompanying them will leave APD by sharp 8 AM and reach Ayyappa Temple in Vijaya Bank Colony by 9.15 am max… OM Ashram, an old age care with 2 units consisting of 25 members is walking distance from there. So all will walk together to Om Ashram and spend time with elderly there for around 2 hours atleast!!!
This will be the first time these very special volunteers will visit an Old Age Home… Make their experience memorable by your presence and innovative ideas…
You have 2 days in hand, so come out with some hatke ideas on how to make this event a super success… Also confirm your presence at both places or atleast at 1 place i.e. Old age care where you’ll meet everyone. There is no availibility of organisation bus on 4th, so the students will be coming by BMTC public transport… If few 4 wheeler volunteers wanna plan up on the mode of transport and assit the students reaching to Old age home, you are most welcomeJ
Awaiting gooooood responses!!! Letzzz enjoyyyyy maadi and rock maadi the event!!! Get set goooo!!!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer, India Web: www.ivolunteer.in
“Your skills can change lives.”
“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”
Monday, May 5, 2008
My New cycle!!! Hero Razorback F1 series... Why bother? Just Cycle...
After reading the below inspiring article which contains many benefits of cycling alongside doing something about climate change, which is very provoking , I went ahead today and bought a cycle:) Went to the cycle shop with our active volunteer Mayank, who helped me select a good one and came riding back home riding 8-10 kms comfortably. Can't believe I did it after so many years of gap:) Have decided to use it at least for to and fro to my office:) Just thought to share this wonderful article with you all. It's a maroonish red colour Hero Razorback F1 series cycle :)
I am very happy and now I can proudly say that I am contributing at least a bit in reducing pollution in my city (though my contribution is just peanut compared to what is required:)):)
Thanks and have a wonderful day!!! Happy volunteering.
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - National Volunteering
iVolunteer, India Web: http://www.ivolunteer.in/
"Believe in yourself and your ability to be successful."
"We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!"
From: Mayank Rungta <mr.mynk@gmail.com>Date: Mon, May 5, 2008 at 12:19 AMSubject: FW: Why bother? Just Cycle...
Hi,Nice article on the climate change and one possible solution...http://ngopost.org/story.php?title=Why_bother_Just_cycle----1
Have a wonderful week ahead,Mynk
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." H G Wells
I am very happy and now I can proudly say that I am contributing at least a bit in reducing pollution in my city (though my contribution is just peanut compared to what is required:)):)
Thanks and have a wonderful day!!! Happy volunteering.
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - National Volunteering
iVolunteer, India Web: http://www.ivolunteer.in/
"Believe in yourself and your ability to be successful."
"We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!"
From: Mayank Rungta <mr.mynk@gmail.com>Date: Mon, May 5, 2008 at 12:19 AMSubject: FW: Why bother? Just Cycle...
Hi,Nice article on the climate change and one possible solution...http://ngopost.org/story.php?title=Why_bother_Just_cycle----1
Have a wonderful week ahead,Mynk
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." H G Wells
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