“It was my first experience as a volunteer and I enjoyed it. I felt so happy after going back. As I was conducting the test and correcting papers, I came across lots of writings from those people, and thus I came to know a little bit about them and their feelings. I will definitely come and volunteer whenever I am free.” Gautham Aluri of ASE, Bangalore, said after participating the Amritians Circle of Love volunteering activity along with EnAble India.
It was a beautiful Saturday morning on August 1, when thirteen members from Amrita University, Bangalore - SIG - Circle of Love gathered at Koramangala, with an ambition to lend hands to 'EnAble India'.
EnAble India, a Bangalore-based NGO (www.enable-india.org), that works for the economic empowerment of disabled people, was all set to begin its day at 10, along with the SIG volunteers who had gathered fifteen minutes earlier to the schedule. To begin with, Subbiah (visually impaired), manager of Enable India, gave an introductory speech.
The NGO meets on the first Saturday of every month to enroll candidates (local and outstation) for employment registration. A test is organised and candidates are filtered out on the basis of marks, educational and family backgrounds.
The Volunteers are:
1. Navneeth Shashank
2. P Omkar
3. S Prannoy Kiran
4. A Goutham
5. K Surya Deepthi
6. Shubhva Rani
7. J Meghana
8. G Monika
9. T Arun Kumar
10. G Ram Pavan Kumar Reddy
11. S Indraneel
12. N Sekhar
13. Subhashini G
Two volunteers helped with the registration process at front desk. One person conducted as well as corrected the test papers. Another person was assigned for test administration. A group of five volunteered for tactile diagram preparation and and four members lend their hands in data entry process.
Although, the group was supposed to leave at 1.00pm in the afternoon, all stayed back for the post-afternoon session. The NGO arranged for lunch and after a quick lunch all assembled back at the venue.
Once the event came to an end at 4.45pm, the volunteers also attended a volunteer sensitization workshop. We all dispersed after a small session of group photo, though a couple of our friends missed out this since they were away engrossed in the last minute correction process..
Navneeth shashank, says, “The experience was truly amazing. All the students felt inspired by what was happening at Amritians Circle of Love, and Enable India and we would like to visit more often and help in all its endeavours.”
The Circle of Love Group looks to grow into a bigger endeavour and continue to make a difference in lot more lives in the coming days.
Happy Volunteering!!
