iVolunteer, Mumbai : Newsletter for December 2006
Under the Spotlight
iVolunteer volunteers across the country rose to the occasion
in their own special way to commemorate 5th December “International Volunteer Day”
Bangalore
The Aasare Group of employee volunteers from IBM organised a fun programme for 30 underprivileged children of Bangalore-based non-profit, Makkala Jagriti. The volunteers organised group games, an on-the-spot Talent Show and a memory game. Volunteer Subhasini Jha found it an exhilarating experience to see the talent and enthusiasm of the children. The NGO too was grateful for the event as in the words of Sapna and Manjula of Makkala Jagriti, it was a moment of happiness for the children present as they enjoyed their company, all the activities and the gifts.
Click here for photographs and a detailed article on the event
Delhi
Over 2000 people gathered together to contribute towards Shramdaan at the Yamuna on International Volunteer Day. Organised by We for Yamuna and UNV, iVolunteer staff, young student volunteers from Salwan Public School and others present helped in cleaning the Yamuna, clearing out countless polythene bags that flood the rivers banks.
In partnership with Steps For Change, street plays based on the theme of volunteerism were enacted out in North Campus and Dilli Haat. These budding change makers are scheduled to perform once again at Dilli Haat this coming Sunday so look out for them.
Under the Spotlight
Childrens Day Special
iVolunteer Bangalore facilitated a grand Childrens Day celebration on 14th November 2006. A group of 20 enthusiastic employee volunteers from the Angel Eyes group of Tech Mahindra got together to party with 150+ children of Makkala Jagriti.
Says Tech Mahindra volunteer Amit Tyagi, For 2½ hours, we were with the children, doing lots of activities like dancing, singing, playing games… Our volunteers were so excited that they were not willing to come back but time was the constraint. We distributed chocolates, biscuits and gifts to all the children. It was really a fantastic experience for us.
Also volunteering was Tech Mahindras lead coordinator, Prema Lawrence, who found Our visit with the children of Makkala Jagriti was very fulfilling. The children are brilliant and very talented and we would definitely like to work with them to improve on their skills. Just a single event has spurred the Foundation into taking on similar such projects for which they intend to create groups of volunteers within the team.
And now, a thank you note on behalf of the children:
We sincerely thank you and your team for your continuous concern, support and co-ordination with us and for our children. The Children’s Day Event went well and our children enjoyed the fun-filled day thoroughly. Once again thanks to you and iVolunteer.
Sapna, Makkala Jagriti
For more on the event, check out the Tech Mahindra blog
Volunteer Speak
“I enjoyed working a lot with iVolunteer and had a good experience teaching small children of the RKP slums. The enthusiasm with which we were welcomed by the children was itself a motivation for me to visit them. And the same would be a motivation for me to continue working once I am back from abroad.”
– volunteer Ratika Agrawal, Delhi who tutored children of Project Aid Welfare Society (photograph)
“I visited Makkala Jagriti and spent about 2 hours with the kids without even realizing that time had flown by so fast!… Although communication is an issue, the kids pick up really fast and are already trying to talk to me in English… I have decided to spend about 3 hours at the Centre every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If needed and if possible, I may also go on the other days. I will try and teach conversational English in addition to songs, music, arts and crafts etc… Thank you for helping me to find such a great place.”
– newly registered volunteer Nisha D’Souza, Bangalore
We Speak
“Big thank you to Arjun, Sandeep and Shidappa for fulfilling a last minute volunteer requirement. Thanks to you all 80 children of Makkala Jagriti were able to attend and enjoy the Childrens Day function at Christ College under your supervision.”
– Prarthana Unkalkar, iVolunteer, Bangalore
Young Volunteers In Action
iVolunteer Delhi organised the first phase of volunteer work for 110 children of Salwan Public School. Sensitization on Yamuna being the theme, the group visited the location where the river first enters Delhi. Next was an informative session about the river, its history, route, etc. The group then headed to Najafgarh Drain observing how the water gets polluted. Taking water samples along the way, the children sat for a boat ride and visited all 3 drains. They are now looking for a laboratory to test their water samples. In the pipeline is a visit to the Yamunotri. (photograph)
Buzz @ iVolunteer
We are happy to announce a tie-up of sorts with renowned danseuse, Mallika Sarabhai through Unsuni, a theater piece performed by Darpana Academy that endeavours to introduce volunteerism for the benefit of the less fortunate. More on this in our coming issues.
iVolunteer Mumbai organised an introductory session on volunteerism for 60 International Baccalaureate students of B. D. Somani International School. Heres hoping that you convert your good intentions to action.
iVolunteer Delhi played host to a representative from its international partner organisation, Canada World Youth. The next group of foreign student volunteers is scheduled to visit India next March.
In The News
Initially a lot of riches go to satisfying selfish demands
But with more experience, many begin to think of doing something more, says Shalabh Sahai, Director iVolunteer in the cover story of Newsweek Asia, 27th November edition, on socially conscious young Asians. (PDF version) (HTML version)
In turn, The Sunday Times dated 26th November picked up these quotes for a similar article on Generous Now Asias Gen Me. Also quoted was our very own, Misha Bhatt, iVolunteer Mumbai Centre InCharge. (PDF version)
Coming Soon
To mark the launch of India Fellow 2007, iVolunteer Delhi in association with Sri Venkateswara College Social Service Society is organising an inter-collegiate competition, Pagdandi An Insight to Rural India on 15th December 2006. Participants can compete in poetry recitation, street plays, singing and folk dance. Marketing promotions are currently on in North and South Campus so don’t miss out. For more details, click here
iVolunteer Bangalore and Asha Foundation have scheduled a talk on HIV/AIDS at Robert Bosch India Ltd. More details about this in next months issue. In the meantime, if you too would like to host such an awareness campaign in your company, contact Prarthana.
Watch out for something on iVolunteer in the Hindustan Times.
Visit our website http://www.ivolunteer.org.in/ or reach us at:
Delhi: 011-55672160 – delhi@iVolunteer.org.in
Mumbai: 022-26105235 – mumbai@iVolunteer.org.in
Bangalore: 080-41466568 – bangalore@iVolunteer.org.in
Chennai: 9841020253 – chennai@iVolunteer.org.in
Foreign Volunteers: contact – seema@iVolunteer.org.in
To volunteer overseas: contact – iVolunteer Overseas
For other cities or any other queries mail us at info@iVolunteer.org.in