International Volunteer Day: How Volunteering Made Me Responsible

When I joined ‘Make A Difference’, a Delhi based NGO, to teach young kids at a shelter home I didn't know what was in store for me. I had joined just to enhance my resume to apply to a good MBA college later. Having done something to make the society better gives you an edge over other people in an interview I was told. But I guess I was wrong.

Going to Daryaganj in Delhi every Sunday became a ritual for me for over six to seven months that I taught there. The young girls at the shelter home were full of love, enthusiasm and innocence that I could have never imagined. Their eagerness to learn gave me more focus.

We have so many facilities at our disposal that we have forgotten about the part of the society that needs our help. Going to this shelter home in Daryaganj, helped me understand the true meaning of life and love.

Vision for society

I slowly developed a vision for my work there. The girls from standards sixth and seventh whom I used to teach, had varied interests in life and studies. Some of them used to love English, that's what I used to teach them. Others didn't like it very much, but still made some sincere efforts to learn.

They wanted to be teachers, actors, designers, and scientists when they grow up. They very honestly told me about the state of the classrooms in their schools. How some of their teachers would themselves not know correct English, and how it impacted their growth. These kids had to be empowered to live an independent life with dignity.

Read Also: Maggie Shiflett On Her Experience As A Peace Corps Volunteer

Love for everyone

We live in an environment where everything is measured in terms of immediate results. We have so many facilities at our disposal that we have forgotten about the part of the society that needs our help. Going to this shelter home in Daryaganj, helped me understand the true meaning of life and love.

Everyone is a part of our society and country. If some of us are living in poverty, or do not having access to basic facilities like food, good education, sanitation etc., then something is wrong here. We, as educated citizens of our country, should be aware about our responsibilities and help others. When I included this idea in my work, I could put to use much more creativity in teaching them. It really helped me do my work better and made the girls love each session even more.

Bringing in real impact

Doing our bit for the society sometimes helps us understand the bigger picture, and that's what happened to me. I realised my society needs me and every other responsible citizen for inclusive and comprehensive growth. If we achieve anything in our lives, then we have to use that power to make an impact.

Doing our bit for the society sometimes helps us understand the bigger picture, and that's what happened to me. I realised my society needs me and every other responsible citizen for inclusive and comprehensive growth.

Ultimately, what matters is what we give back to the world; both, with our profession and beyond it. Identifying the areas that need our support, gathering the right kind of ideas to change the current state of affairs will change the world. It starts with us. It starts from within.

Read Also: Why Volunteering Makes Your Life Meaningful

Akanksha Gupta is an intern with SheThepeople.TV