Like many, I have been "looking" to do volunteering work for some time now. I started checking out a few years back, found a place and then got caught up in the churn of daily routines.
Finally, last month, I started checking out again and found a few options for volunteering in Chennai.
As I had checked the 2nd one earlier, thought of exploring it further and sent an email to Shankar about whether it is still on. Got a nice email with a blog post and FAQ about reading for Visually challenged students in PSBB, T. Nagar.
The place is near Valluvar kottam and provides a chance to read to Visually challenged students in Tamil & English.
So, I want on sunday, 26th Oct. Reached there early by about 9.45 and a Sai Bhajan was going on. By 10.30, there was a bunch of students and the organizers started calling out "Tamil", "English" etc. You step in, get assigned and start.
I guess, nothing can be made easier than this - No signup,s fuss, formalities. Just show up and help.
I got to read for a student studying Phd in "Social conciousness in Tamil literature", and that day he wanted to go over a few poems of Kaviarasu kannadasan. Got as chance to read a few wonderful poems of Kannadasan (First time for me).
It was an excellent experience to see about 50 students full of Energy, Happiness, and Hope. They are not sorry. They were never worried. They are not helpless. They never talk about what they don't have. Each one is having plans about future - Studies, Job, Marriage and what not.
It was an amazing feeling. They have friends and there was so much bon-homie and laughter. There were Phd students, BEd students, PG, UG students, those who are working/training as teachers etc. Their self confidence is amazing.
I was very comfortable. The organizers/organization was focussed. No unnecessary formalities. Job simply getting done. It was very gratifying to also see the set of volunteers made up of a good mix of youth, middle-aged as well as senior citizens of both genders.
I thank them for the wonderful opportunity to utilize myself for something useful. Not to forget the Coffee, Biscuits and the lunch we had that day - simple and tasty to wrap up a very satisfying sunday morning.
Address is Padma Seshadri Bala Bavan School [PSBB], Habibulla Road, T Nagar, Chennai
Timings - Sunday mornings 10.30 to 12.30
Check out the article and Frequently asked questions - http://scribes-readers.blogspot.in/2007/08/reading-session-for-visually-challenged.html
Check out some pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/scopeon2002/SundayReadingSessionAtTNagarChennai#
They are in need of people, both for Tamil and English. Check out or walk in on Sunday mornings. The schedule is very nice - like IPL session about 2-3 hours max.
Some soul food is good for Sundays.
Finally, last month, I started checking out again and found a few options for volunteering in Chennai.
- http://chennaivolunteers.org/ - Lists a lot of options, nicely consolidated website
- Reading sessions at Padma Seshadri Bala Bavan School [PSBB], Habibulla Road, T Nagar,
As I had checked the 2nd one earlier, thought of exploring it further and sent an email to Shankar about whether it is still on. Got a nice email with a blog post and FAQ about reading for Visually challenged students in PSBB, T. Nagar.
The place is near Valluvar kottam and provides a chance to read to Visually challenged students in Tamil & English.
 |
| Reading for Visually challenged , PSBB, T. Nagar |
I guess, nothing can be made easier than this - No signup,s fuss, formalities. Just show up and help.
It was an excellent experience to see about 50 students full of Energy, Happiness, and Hope. They are not sorry. They were never worried. They are not helpless. They never talk about what they don't have. Each one is having plans about future - Studies, Job, Marriage and what not.
It was an amazing feeling. They have friends and there was so much bon-homie and laughter. There were Phd students, BEd students, PG, UG students, those who are working/training as teachers etc. Their self confidence is amazing.
I was very comfortable. The organizers/organization was focussed. No unnecessary formalities. Job simply getting done. It was very gratifying to also see the set of volunteers made up of a good mix of youth, middle-aged as well as senior citizens of both genders.
I thank them for the wonderful opportunity to utilize myself for something useful. Not to forget the Coffee, Biscuits and the lunch we had that day - simple and tasty to wrap up a very satisfying sunday morning.
Address is Padma Seshadri Bala Bavan School [PSBB], Habibulla Road, T Nagar, Chennai
Timings - Sunday mornings 10.30 to 12.30
Check out the article and Frequently asked questions - http://scribes-readers.blogspot.in/2007/08/reading-session-for-visually-challenged.html
Check out some pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/scopeon2002/SundayReadingSessionAtTNagarChennai#
They are in need of people, both for Tamil and English. Check out or walk in on Sunday mornings. The schedule is very nice - like IPL session about 2-3 hours max.
Some soul food is good for Sundays.
No comments:
Post a Comment