Volunteer Experience Sharing

Teaching students have always been my passion as I personally feel enlightened on teaching someone. This is particularly because I am quite fed up from the system of education that prevails in INDIA, where we are asked to tell students to cramp the writings and not understand its relevance, its importance and very importantly, as to whether is it really needed for us to learn this? Because of these reasons only, I had only bookish knowledge till I cleared 10+2, after which I got to learn life in detail, and got to understand as to how things work in our country and many other things. At JAAGRITI, I got a chance to experiment my theory that says that many things can be learned outside books as used to happen in Ancient INDIA in VEDIC time. Fortunately, working here, it worked out. The kind of response that I received from students made me delighted and I got to learn a lot from them.

Many a times they made me feel that I need to grow up as a human being as I am not even aware about my surroundings, the trees, the kind of effort that goes in making my one day and, thus, I need to work on it to become a good human altogether. This is quite relevant as after having finished the workshops, I have started running in morning hours for about 3-4 Km(s) daily to strengthen my body from inside. Also, I have started to study about plants and their various species available around us especially medicinal plants, so that if I get to do another workshop in future, I will have a rich resource of knowledge to share with these children. Thus, this experience that I had here, made me a new kind of personality all together.

Working with people of different thoughts, different interests, and having different ideologies for life is always difficult. This I realized while working in a group. This experience made me realize the fact as to why companies must be conducting GD’s and Group activities as part of their selection procedure, because, this is a great way to judge a person’s flexibility with different people around him/her. Also working in a group made me realize one more interesting fact that working without a leader is very difficult. Because none of the group member was termed a leader and we had to work out things and content beforehand by mutual interaction, some points or activities remained a part of conflict even on the day of delivery of the workshop. Thus, in many ways these workshops were a tutor of human psychology to me. In all this was a brilliant effort on part of the organisers of the workshop to provide students with something new, and a rich experience that I will personally remember for my life time.

- Aman Gupta, NSIT

Volunteer Experience by Pranjal

It all started with just a casual talk with one of my friends, who volunteers for Jaagriti. She asked me to come along someday, so I did. What I saw was a bunch of adorable and confused children, sitting on the floor, right under the nose of sun. These were not 5-6 children, they were more than 25. Just think about yourself, after a week full of college work and jobs, we just want to sit at home and relax. But these children, some of them go to school and they come for classes even after school and there they are on a Sunday morning, studying again. Never have I seen such dedicated and determined set of children.
I took up Science and General Knowledge, because when I was a kid, my main interest was only in these subjects, I was hooked. Now even after about 10 years, these subjects remain the most interesting to me. I vouched to come thrice a week for an hour or two. My first class had about 20 children, most of them aged more than 10 years and my first topic was Pandit JawaharLal Nehru and these children were listening so intently to every word I said. That was when I knew that I can take this further. So after a week full of boring Gandhis, came India. It was like magic, they wanted to know more and more about india. We did not have maps in the room, but I made them understand about neighboring countries through a very badly drawn Indian Map. Don't worry, we have one now. A good big one.
These children just need a little inspiration to move forward, so Jas and I decided to ask them to make drawings of everything they want to be in future or anything they think of. Come now to the site and you'd see a room full of drawings rather than a dull grey room. One of the children, Usha made solar system only keeping in mind how I drew it on board. Such is the imagination they have. You tell them about something, and it inscribes in their minds instantly. I hope children remain as good as they are and continue to grow. As for me, I have found my calling. All thanks to them!
- Pranjal

Are We the Change We Want?

The words “Be the change you want” seems to have struck very hard to the minds of some. As we see a whooping’ no. of Non Government Organizations (or “NGOs” - for those who can not relate to the expansion) being registered and struggling with a cause, which they believe if eradicated, would make the world a better place to live in. Being blessed (or cursed) with an inquisitive mind, I decided to explore one such NGO & its founder and write it all for you. So if you happen to be one of those who are curious to know about the functioning of these organizations & wonder what exactly goes into the making of the flesh and bones of the people who build these NGOs, I recommend that you bear the next 800 words and figure it out.

The organization I elected for my task is called “Jaagriti”. It has been initiated by a young lad Anchit Goel and operates in the newly developed sub-city Dwarka. Now before I proceed to dissect the mechanism of this setup, here is a brief introduction of this NGO so that we are aware of the subject in discussion. With the intention of assuring the elementary education and basic skills to those unfortunate kids who have been deprived of this basic attention the project “Jaagriti” was launched last year by Anchit, as a chapter of the famous N.G.O called “AID Delhi”. In just a year’s time the project has successfully enrolled over 80 underprivileged kids to regular schools, approached over 150 kids, constructed a team of over 30 volunteers, expanded from only one centre to three centers, collaborated with four educational institutes, three well known NGOs and raised funds from legendary cooperates. All this, accompanied with workshops on computer literacy, theatre, music and other important crafts. After such a gigantic expansion, the project “Jaagriti” deserved to be converted from just a chapter of an NGO to a full fledged registered organization. The towering achievement gets even taller when this fact is unraveled that all the volunteers including Anchit are part timers and mostly contribute only on the weekends. Some of the volunteers are students while others are office going professionals; in fact Anchit himself works as a research associate in an economic council. Now the obvious question that arises is that, how such an impressive result was then accomplished? The analyzed answer would certainly be incomplete without mention of the phrases “team work” and “individual contribution” but it would be unfair to expect from a writer to cite the account of each person’s approach & contribution. Hence I choose to take the convenient-conventional way and describe the leader and his tactics that led to the rewarding times, assuring to myself that the team anyhow is inspired by its leader and identifies with him.

The story begins at a time when Anchit is in his formative years and is engaged in his school program of imparting non formal education to slum children. But due to a few unavoidable obstacles, he is unable to carry on with his deed & drops it halfway. This breakdown of his effort strikes him hard and a seed of inspiration is sown - a seed of which is nurtured further as he grows up. Anchit while growing up learns more about the world and its problems by reading & interacting with various people and situations, and gets firmer that he ought to do something. In his college years Anchit learns the art of management and organization by involving himself in various extra curricular activities and different initiatives and somehow develops a liking for entrepreneurship. By the time Anchit gets out of his engineering college he is sure that he would not settle for a regular life where the only concern is to get a heavy paycheque instead would do something that makes a change, something that is important, challenging, and that finds him a purpose, something- something that gives him satisfaction to be alive. But the question persists - what is this something? Luckily this time he has an answer-Jaagriti! So soon after finding a mean to earn his bread, Anchit starts working on his project & decides to work for it after his office hours. The reason I emphasize so much on Anchit’s pursuit of knowing what he wants to do, is to show his desperation to find a platform. And because he didn’t find one for himself, he made sure that others are not deprived of it. So Jaagriti is not only an NGO to help underprivileged kids but as Anchit puts it “Jaagriti is also a tool to awaken the youth and provide them a platform to act”. Perhaps it is because this motive to enlighten the economically backward children and to awaken the youth that he named his initiative Jaagriti.

Inspiration, vision and passion are fine but for a set up to be a success what is required is an idea that clicks. The innovative idea that gave Jaagriti a kick-start was Anchit’s plan to take it online; in fact much of Jaagriti’s success is credited to a strong network that has been developed on internet. At this point it is crucial to mention that Anchit doesn’t even spend a penny to get this strong base of network. All he does is that he stays regular and makes a point that the activities of Jaagriti are constantly informed and updated to a wide spread mass through free internet services such as blog, Youtube, Picassa and e-mail groups etc. Anchit defiantly says “I don’t want to work in isolation. If our work is good then others must witness it, so that they are encouraged to associate with us or they replicate such work at more places.” Due to this constructive use of internet, Jaagriti has earned a wide mass reach, because of which, funds and volunteers (two issues which otherwise have lead many organizations to collapse) were never a big deal for Jaagriti. Apart from gaining popularity, internet services have also been Jaagriti’s bulletin board. Be it a requirement, an event notification or any information about an activity, every single detail is updated to all the associates just by a single click. In view of these advantages Anchit goes on describing internet as “Least expensive but best quality output.”

Once you are out in the sea, the tides would not always be in the direction you swim, at certain times you would have to swim against the tide to reach the shore. If you have started to believe that Anchit has been a lucky chap for whom situations have always been lubricated then let me clarify he’s had a fair share of friction in his pursuit. He had some hard instances in the beginning, when he was still figuring out how to be sure of funds, human resources, convincing adamant laborers to send their kids etc. But somehow not only his tasks, but all the tasks that were picked up by Jaagriti cleared the hurdles that were on the way and emerged victoriously. When asked about his biggest challenge Anchit says “The most difficult thing for me has been to handle my parents, they know that this is a good cause that I am working for, but still they are not convinced and want me to focus more on my career.” and when asked about the solution he devised for this problem he replies “Well this is one problem that remains unsolved.”

Now that we have understood extensively about the working of Anchit and his team, how do we see the concluding paragraph to be? The adjectives and appreciation that describe Anchit as a heroic figure, is perhaps what most of us would expect. But hang on when Anchit was asked what appreciation meant to him he said “I try and stay away from it simply because I don’t think I deserve it. Had I been the almighty I would have made it mandatory for everyone to indulge in an activity that’s noble. What I do I believe is my duty and is not something extraordinary.” And I completely agree to what Anchit says. In this concluding paragraph I’ll give a brief recap of reasons which made things possible for Anchit and you will follow that he is not a hero or anything of that sort. By now it must have been clear that Anchit possessed certain managerial and organizational skills that he had picked up in his college years; it was his liking for entrepreneurship that helped him in his endeavors. Jaagriti for him in a way is an enterprise; he took a social problem as a management problem. So he is simply catering to his hobby by indulging in something that uses his abilities- So by what means is that heroic? In fact the whole team of Jaagriti is the same - the one who teaches music is doing so because of his interest in music so is the case with the one teaching dance and every one else. All of them do it because their qualities and abilities are used to accomplish the results. Now the argument that they are bringing a positive change to the society and thus are heroes do not stand because more than the positive change they bring to the world it is the inner change that they experience is what gets them going. E.g. Anchit groomed as an entrepreneur by taking the first hand experience of the real situations. He has become better with decisions, can take larger risks and finds himself more confident and optimistic than ever before.

The good that this young lot has done is that they have also made others benefit from their talent. The Mahatmas and Teresas of our time need to be this way; they need not be exceptionally different creatures of the only kind but be very regular people who bring change to society only because it helps them to bring a change in their own selves. The team of Jaagriti reminds - that all of us can do our bit to bring a change to the society, and not consider it as a sacrifice but as an opportunity to groom ourselves. All we need to ask is a question “Are we the change, we want?” and then work, in order to get an affirmative answer.

- Abhishek Kukreja

Volunteer Speaks!

I always feel “Education” can change the society and can uplift the underprivileged.

I had this thought in mind for my association with Jaagriti. I shared this with my college mates and got very good response. Even after their busy schedule they found time for working for this cause.

Special thanks to Angad Singh Malhan and Abhijeet Agarwal for co-ordinating everything.

Me along with Pulkit Ahuja, Pallavi Luthra, Swati Bhateja, Sakshi Mishra, Ashish Arora, Jeet(from Amity) met Anchit and Peeyush at NSIT, Dwarka.

Anchit and Peeyush explained us the whole structure of Jaagriti and also the role that we can take up. We took up our individual roles – mainly taking personality development classes for the children; Pallavi, Sakshi and Swati also taking dance classes for the girls.

We were to take care of the Sector 17 project run by Jaagriti.

The very first day when I reach the school, I had several questions in mind – as to how the children would be, how are they gone a take up the classes, are they novice and we need to teach them from the beginning, etc, etc.

Anchit introduced us to the children and the way they greeted us is simply great. Even an Englishman would wonder; the children said “Hello Bhaiya and Didi”. I felt I am going to enjoy here.

The first day we taught the children basic mathematics and then played games with them. The education of these children was really be taken well care of by Jaagriti and its volunteers as they children already knew the basic mathematics, English, Hindi and also drawing.

The girls were really interested in dancing and they are learning to dance on a song “Ainvayi Ainvayi Lut Gaya”. Meanwhile we have also completed our 4 week course structure of Drawing and colouring; and are about to start with some craft sessions.

As Pallavi, Swati and Sakshi commutes from long distances to reach Dwarka, whenever they are late, the girls always keeps on asking us “Bhaiya, aaj didi log nahi aayengi kya;humari dance classes nahi hongi kya”. This shows the real urge and keenness of the girls to learn.

We also keep on taking regular sessions on “Moral Education” and “Hygiene issues”.

There are two things that keep on fascinating me though-out my journey of around one and a half months with Jaagriti is – First, the student’s urge in learning new things and asking questions to clarify their doubts. Second, the respect they show us, it really makes us feel proud that we are able to impart the right moral educations to the students, which our country desperately needs in this fast changing world.

Thanks to all whose names I have mentioned above and also to Jaagriti for carrying out such a wonderful work. God bless you all.

Thanks,

Vivek Agarwal

My First Day at Jaagriti- Prerna

My first day at Jaagriti added a new meaning to the word ‘happiness’ in my dictionary.

I knew it would be a great feeling to share my knowledge with others, but when it actually happened, it was a totally new experience. To think that I made some children smile that day made me happy. To think that this very small contribution that I make was going to make a difference in someone’s life made me happy. I felt as if I had entered a new world, out my regular schedule of going to college, completing assignments, going out with friends, etc. Here, I met children who were so eager to learn new things. They welcomed me so nicely that I had no problem mixing with them.

Putting it straight, I think it was awesome. I went there as a music teacher. And yes, I want to thank Manish and Sidhant, who came there to guide me through my first class. I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but the children were so friendly and enthusiastic that my nervousness did not last for more than 2 minutes! We talked about their likes and dislikes and I was glad to hear that many of them liked studying. I insisted them on singing any song that they knew. They hesitated at first, but in the end, almost everyone had performed something or the other. Anita gave us two dance performances, Sangeeta cracked a joke where as others like Sugni, Rekha, Ravi, Rahul, Priyanka, Noor Jahan sang nice songs. I started liking everyone instantly. I think, Ankit who was the youngest there, was also the naughtiest!!! Of course they didn’t spare us after all this. Sidhant, Manish and I had to sing ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ for them! It was really fun.

Then I started teaching them about the little music that I know. There were some who could sing a bit and there were others who couldn’t but the spirit with which everyone was singing was commendable. In the end, I clicked their photograph as well. That was my first day.

After all these descriptions, I still can’t describe the self satisfaction that I got that day. I think it’s not just about teaching them. It’s about learning something from them as well. We don’t realize how lucky we are. Our parents gave us the opportunity and the resources so that we can study and grow in life. I think that is what Jaagriti is doing for these children. Hats off to everyone working for Jaagriti. I am really happy I did my little bit to help. But this is just the beginning. There is a long way to go.

- Prerna

My First Day with Jaagriti

First day at the Jaagriti site (Dwarka sec-17) was such an exhilarating experience. At first it was a little confusing whether the children would accept me as a new member of the Jaagriti volunteer team or not but as we reached there they came running to us, swarming about greeting us with "Good Morning". They made basic house-shapes that day and showed keen interest in learning art. It was their never-ending excitement to learn something new that kept us going and we didn't even realize how hours passed by.

Nothing can be compared to the joy of helping these children shape a better future out of their lives. Their incessant vigour and zeal to try out new things is going to take them places for sure. I would always be in touch with all of these children. Thanks to Jaagriti that gave me an opportunity to lend a helping hand.

Cheers to the children and Jaagriti!!

- Sona

New Year Celebrations

This New Year we wished to be actively involved in doing something for the underprivileged children and not just in giving a donation. One of our team members knew Jasraman so we contacted her to know more about what she's been working on. It is then that we realized that Jaagriti was doing exactly what we were looking for. Without wasting any further time we decided that we will visit the kids on 1st Jan 2010.

It was a chilly morning of 1st January 2010 and we were five friends united for a common cause, arranging material for the workshop we had planned at the project site.

As it was our first time experience with these kids we thought that we will teach them a vocational skill: how to make paper (newspaper) bags. While on our way to the project site we were wondering as to how these kids will respond to what we had planned to teach them and how much effort will they need to learn it? But when we reached the site and saw these young kids bubbling with energy, all our doubts evaporated.

The volunteers helped us seat the kids in 3 large circles and two of our friends lead the kids into learning how to make paper bags. Everybody got so much involved in the activity that time seemed to fly and suddenly "sheets of newspaper" were transformed into paper bags! Everybody had a smile on their face but with a marked difference...The kids had the "smile of achievement" and we, “smile of satisfaction".

Later, the story teller amongst us weaved a web of fascinating stories for the kids and I captured their smiles in my camera.

By the time the stories got over, the atmosphere was set for distributing the gifts and awards. The hard work and efforts of the kids had paid its dividend. The kids got goodies for their sincerity and diligence.

In the end, we were surprised by the keenness and grasping speed shown by the kids. Not only did they learn how to make paper bags but the neatness with which they made the paper bags was phenomenal. It was evident that they were a bunch of bright kids looking for the right opportunity to come out of their cocoon and transform into a butterfly.

We are impressed by the efforts of Jaagriti and congratulate you on your efforts. It is indeed a noble cause and we stand with you in the cause of making a meaningful difference.

We would like to thank Jasraman, Anchit and Ankit for all their efforts...

Overall, it was an enriching experience and a meaningful start to a New Year!

- Ravi

Christmas and New Year Celebrations

Folks! We celebrated Christmas on a bright and sunny afternoon at Jaagriti where we had a variety of fun-filled and happy activities. With the help of our cheerful and ever smiling volunteers we gathered the sparsely dressed little children who came braving the chilly weather of Delhi. We decorated the premises with Christmas trees, festoons and colourful balloons. Cold cream and snacks were also distributed amongst kids. The children, who were the most active participants in the occasion, cheered and jived on various bollywood numbers.

And it would be incomplete and unfair if I don’t mention about the show stealer i.e. our very lovable and adorable Santa Claus who came, played, sang and doled out chocolates to the largely restive but enthusiastic crowd. At the end of the day we cherished several innocent smiles and came back with hearts filled with satisfaction. We are determined to keep these smiles alive and to fulfill the promises that we have made to these angels. I am sure that posterity will be proud of us!

- Piyali

Volunteer Experience Sharing..By Jasraman

Happy Independence Day. My first day with Jaagriti and my first celebration with them! The day began at 9 and I found my self surrounded by enthusiastic lot of young friends. I was on a different high for almost an hour, realizing and grasping the activities revolving around. It was a call and ultimately I was one with them. What amazed me was the simplicity in everything. Whether it was an interactive session between the kids and the volunteers; ease of holding crayons and paint brushes by kids who were simple in their creations and yet so real; the balloon session; the sound of music in their own melodious voices and bringing the lighter side out by sharing jokes that brought smile to all. Followed by flag hoisting and singing of our National Anthem; distribution of sweets and prizes for the art. The highlight of the day was to leave our palm impressions on the chart in tricolour. It looked a Master Piece! Thank you Jaagriti for this opportunity and my appreciation is ever growing.

Regards,

Jasraman Sayal.

Independence Day Celebrations @ Jaagriti

The Independence Day has been an event that was much-awaited at Jaagriti, more so for the volunteers who recently became a part of the initiative, because for the first time we would be having so much time to interact with the kids. The day started pretty early as we had decided to start the proceedings at 9AM at Pragati Public School, Dwarka. When I reached there I was pleasantly surprised to find that kids had turned up in large numbers, all neatly dressed up and full of excitement. They were so eager to get started that it was a bit of a challenge to control them.

We started off with Abhishek telling them the significance of this day in a very interesting way. It was nice to see that quite a lot of kids already knew why we celebrate Independence Day. After this initial chit-chat we headed outside for rest of the activities planned for the day. The kids presented some songs that they had prepared for the occasion and everyone joined them in singing. But they did not stop at just presenting the songs, the meaning was also explained very lucidly to everyone present there. So while we volunteers were taken back to our childhood memories (the way Independence Day used to be celebrated at school), we got to know some new things as well.

After flag hoisting and National Anthem it was time for some fun. We divided kids into four groups and had a balloon-blowing competition. It was a mad rush as all the volunteers joined the kids to blow as many balloons as they could and win the coveted prize!!! Equally exciting was the teamwork displayed by all participants, with everyone screaming jaldi…jaldi…jaldi fulao. As one of the teams was declared the winner, there were tri-colored balloons all over the lawn literally flooding the place with colors of our flag.

Just when we were planning to have some more outdoor activities it started raining and we rushed inside. Now it was time for painting competition and kids were pleased to see the prizes to be awarded to winners. Lal Qila, India Gate, Kites, all were there on the drawing sheets in all possible colors. And most rewarding were the smiles on their faces, the spirit to outdo all others and take that prize home.

While talking to kids during painting competition I just jokingly asked a few of them -- ‘Who is going to win 1^st prize?’. The unanimous answer was -- “Me.” Three cheers for everyone at Jaagriti for making this a reality.

All in all, the best Independence Day I have celebrated in past few years. Jai Hind.

For pictures of the event, please visit

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/anchitgoel/IndependenceDayCelebrations?feat=directlink#

- Ankit Kesri

JAAGRITI Speaks .....

I am one amongst u
constituted by people like u...

thoughts no different then u think
acting on what u ink...

enlightening the souls
future out of the holes...

growing all strong
JAAGRITI is what i am called...

helping children of slums
getting them out of dumps...

education is what i impart
giving them essence of art...

polishing their skills
medicating their diseases with pills...

nurturing with food
to be a healthier dude...

Hey people come forward
support them to stand
all what a child needs
is your helping hand !!

(This poem has been written by a Jaagriti volunteer- Rahul Bana)

Arts Classes and Volunteer Experience Sharing

I was introduced to Project Jaagriti by Anchit, who also happened to be my senior at the college. He told me about the work being done at project Jaagriti for the children of construction workers in Dwarka and how the privileged youth of the society is bringing about a change and awakening the poor. At that very moment, I decided to get associated with the project and work for the education and skill building of poor children. I also introduced the project to some of my friends and motivated them to volunteer for the project.

In our first meeting, Anchit briefed me and my friends about the objectives of the project, its various activities and the various volunteer opportunities available at the project. The amicable decision that we took there was that we would impart Basic Computer Education to all the children and would also teach them how to Draw and Paint. So in the following week, I and my friends drafted the curriculum for the Computer Classes which we are planning to start in the month of August.

On 18^th July 2009, we have also started with regular weekly Arts and Craft Classes for the Children. About 8 volunteers were present, who taught around 35 Children, how to draw the shapes of different fruits such as apple, banana, mango etc. Apart from drawing these fruits, they were taught about the utilization of these fruits. Then they were taught how to identify colours, through association with the colours of the fruits and how to color those fruits in their respective shades. And before I end, I must say that some of the Children are so good at drawing, even the volunteers could not match their talent.

Overall it was a great learning experience for first timers like us and I along with my friends look forward to create a long lasting impression in the lives of these poor Children at project JAAGRITI.

Pictures of the Art Classes

Thanks

Gaurav Sharma