Volunteers

I distinctly remember the first day at Samvedana when I was asked to interact with school kids and conduct a theatre workshop. I was in despair, communication was difficult and things just didn’t seem to work out.

When you have just come out of college and are about to step into the real ruthless world, a place like Samvedana prepares you with a perspective to look at this world with compassionate eyes. I have seen the world with these eyes, I have experienced it. I have felt the joy in giving, and I have received the warmth in return. I have learnt to live a life full of giving and not just being selfish. I have learnt to appreciate for what I have.

I distinctly remember the first day at Samvedana when I was asked to interact with school kids and conduct a theatre workshop. I was in despair, communication was difficult and things just didn’t seem to work out.

The next day, I had another trick – to be with them, be like one amongst them and the ice finally broke. After that day, there was no looking back, these kids are a family now.

Some of them have grown so big and gone so far, it surprises me when they bump into me at a corporate office or at a restaurant. To see them grow, gives that immense satisfaction of being able to nurture, being able to participate in shaping their future, being able to grow with them, being able to share and being able to be your own self.

Samvedana as a family, will always be closest to my heart. I thank Samvedana for bringing in a dynamism in my character and in the human being that I am today.

– Abhishek Jain
(Director)

And then he fed me with his own hands, before eating it himself.

It just shows, how attached these kids are to us and all we have to do is devote some of our time and give our love to these children

Sanjay, whom I had met last year, came running to me as soon as he saw me. He kept hugging me and saying “Soham bhaiyya tame pachaa avya!” (Soham bhaiyya, you have come back.) I too shared similar joy. Later we were cutting a cake as it was Chirag sir’s birthday. When the cake was distributed to the children, instead of eating it first, Sanjay came to me with the cake and told me “Pehla tame khaavo, pachiajj hu khaish” (First you eat some, only then shall I eat) and then he fed me with his own hands, before eating it himself.

It just shows, how attached these kids are to us and all we have to do is devote some of our time and give our love to these children. I would like to thank Samvedana for giving me this opportunity to interact with these kids and for this beautiful learning experience.

– Soham Shah

It is very embarrassing when they call you Akshit Bhaiya and you don’t remember their names. I feel so bad and so from now onwards, I have started saving their pictures with their names. I hope I will be able to remember all their names till next year.

– Akshit Kariwala

Samvedana has taught me more about tolerance and life. It has taught me what a challenge as well as fun it is to tackle kids.

– Ruhani Dalal

I told her that there is nothing u can’t do. It’s all about believing in yourself. I grabbed her hand, stood her up and announced to the class that she was going to play our lead. There was something I did that brightened her up, something that gave her confidence.

One hot summer afternoon I got a call from an unknown number. A lady who spoke in a very soft, subtle and sweet voice was on the other end. I presumed it would be another call from one of my customers who wanted me to perform for them at some event. But this wonderful lady surprised me. She introduced herself as Mrs Janki Vasant from Samvedana foundation.

A couple of days later I had my evening tea with her at her office. It was one of the best evenings i had spent in a very long time. I was delighted to know that there were such organisations that did so much for the upliftment of the less privileged people. That day I had decided that I would too, do my bit. I was aware of the kind of backgrounds the girls at Samvedana came from. On discussing further with Janki I realised I wanted to work with the kids on a play that would help empower the girls and make them bolder and stronger. I decided right then that I would name the play “I will write my own destiny”. That is what I literally wanted to teach them. I wanted them to realise that no one else could decide what their fate for them. Their actions would make or break their lives.

I started working with a group of kids at the Samvedana happee summer camp. The first day when I entered the class I was greeted by a group of children with heaps of love. I discussed the theme with the children. They were extremely excited about the whole concept. There were so many story and capable young boys and girls I was thrilled and very excited to work with them however in the hustle and bustle happening in the class I noticed a little girl sit quietly in one corner. She tucked herself so quietly in one corner that I would have almost missed her presence. I wondered why she was so silent and reserved. My heart fell for the little girl. I went to her and asked her name and asked her if she would like to be the lead actor in the play. She seemed very shocked. As if this was the first time someone approached her with such an offer. She then softly replied that I don’t think il be able to live up to your expectations. My heart sunk. But then quickly covering my emotions I toughened up. I told her that there is nothing u can’t do. It’s all about believing in yourself. I grabbed her hand, stood her upand announced to the class that she was going to play our lead. I already saw a change in her. There was something I did that brightened her up, something that gave her confidence.

We spent the next couple of days working on the dialogues and practicing the play. When she started she was hardly audible. But that was what I wanted to change. I knew it would take long and it would be a challenge but I was ready to face all odds. I still always wondered why she was so quiet. What was it that was pulling her down?

During one of our sessions Janki visited our class. She was shocked to see that I had chosen little tejasvini for the lead role. She later told me that tejasvini was living the life of an orphan inspite of having parents. She had been abandoned by her abusive mother at an early age. Poverty stricken father who could barely take care of himself, tried but could not do justice to this girl. Her aunt who lives in ahmedabad, whose three daughters are students of samvedana, sheltered this girl. The little girl went through a hell every day of her life. Unfortunately she was deprived of all a girl needed at a tender age of 12 –love! Her misfortune created a wall around her. She closed herself to the outside world and preferred to stay in her own world of self pity and depression. Even though she never opened up spoke to us about anything that happened in her home I could see the pain in her eyes. I strived every day just to make her a little more louder, to make her a little more stronger, to make her a little more confident.

I specifically remember this one scene where I wanted her to get emotional and cry. Every day I would tell her “ show your emotions, express how you feel”. My efforts were merely to help her unfold her pent up emotions, her to realise that she had an identity of her own and she was responsible for everything that will happen in her life. On the final day tejasvi reserved a permanent place in my heart. When she performed the final scene on the stage i saw her tear and just looking at her I could not control my emotions. We both shared a wonderful moment, her performing on stage and me sitting in the audience just watching her with utter delight.  I was so proud of her that my emotions poured out in the form of tears. This was one of the biggest achievement of my life.

Bhavini Jani.
Theater celebrity, leading Gujarati Television artist, Gujarat.

The three short days that I spent with these children with an intent of sharing some of my skills and understanding about films, will certainly remain one of the most satisfying and memorable chapters of my life.

Like most of my creative voyages, even this one started with me facing a huge cloud of confusion. To conduct a film-making workshop with Giggle children at Samvedana’s Summer Camp, 2015.

Owing to past few interactions, I had a feeble sense of depth that Samvedana strives to reach and engage with its children. So it was indeed a mix of eagerness and anticipation with which I stood to face the bunch of affable and happy Giggle faces, their eyes lighting up with affection and curiosity.

The three short days that I spent with these children with an intent of sharing some of my skills and understanding about films, will certainly remain one of the most satisfying and memorable chapters of my life. Engaging with these children definitely added new, unforeseen colours in my spectrum, thanks to the views that they expressed as seen from their innocent eyes.

Treading informally and putting aside any structured approach that I might have contemplated before, I stood there facing my new set of teachers. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to see their thoughts and minds unfurl with a story that they wished to be told through the film that we had set out to make. About Kanu – a village kid, lost in a big city.

With deepest gratitude I express my sincere appreciation to this phenomenal endeavour of bringing so much joy, encouragement and direction to so many children, who I am sure will rise and shine in their journeys of life, gaining strength from the solid foundations that they are blessed with here.

Wishing all the very best of success and glory to Samvedana, its guiding lights, well wishers and all its volunteers.

– Amitabha Singh
(Director, Bollywood)

I used to think that it would be pretty easy to handle a bunch of kids, but this experience has taught me to appreciate and respect all the teachers of my life.

At the Samvedana Happee Camp, it’s a new experience every day. The kids are always fun and it gets difficult to manage them. I used to think that it would be pretty easy to handle a bunch of kids, but this experience has taught me to appreciate and respect all the teachers of my life.

– Shinali Shah

With a hope to teach something new in every hour,

Some smiles are here and some joy over there,

But we giggle with them to make their happy summer.

Starting the day with the morning prayer,

With the endless dream one has standing at the foyer,

Some smiles are here and some joy over there,

But we giggle with them to make their happy summer.

Trying to make them comfortable here and after,

With a hope to teach something new in every hour,

Some smiles are here and some joy over there,

But we giggle with them to make their happy summer.

Serving them the delicious food which they eat together,

And we serve ourselves with their smile which is surrounded all over,

Some smiles are here and some joy over there,

But we giggle with them to make their happy summer.

Ending up the day by saying a goodbye to each other,

With the circle meeting trying to make things better,

Some smiles are here and some joy over there,

But we giggle with them to make their happy summer.

– Poem by
By Utsav Sanghvi

Is it just me, or do you agree with it too?
That there are so many different worlds out there, and we’ve only seen a few.

Is it just me, or do you see it too?
The grass is green, the sky’s blue.

Is it just me, or is it really there?
Those whispering winds, the sounds in the air.

Is it just me, or is it really true?
That dogs only bark, cats only mew.

Is it just me, or has it always been this way?
Every night is dark, there’s bright light every day.

Is it just me, or can that really be?
A watermelon on a creeper, a mango on a tree.

Is it just here, or does that happen everywhere?
In the cold there a white one, in the heat, a brown bear.

Is it just me, or has it ever occurred to you?
Why monkeys are more, tigers are few?

Is it just me, or have you ever thought of it before?
Why rivers have banks, why seas have shores.

Is it just me, or do you ever wonder why?
A rainbow has seven colors, and not just five.

Is it just me, or does it ever cross your mind?
How bats can see at night, how at dawn, they are blind.

Is it just me, or do you agree with it too?
That there are so many different worlds out there, and we’ve only seen a few.

– Poem by
Aahana Banker
Keep smiling.

“Didi, didi! After what you said yesterday, I went home, thought about it and told my brother as well. And I’ve decided to try and control my anger and tongue, and be a good boy.”

I stumbled across this tiny little fellow, a kid from Joy. And the entire Samvedana family was talking about his sharp tongue.

So the next day, I went upto him, greeted him and sat there beside him observing his actions. I decided to counter him with love.

The next day, he met me and said, “Didi, didi! After what you said yesterday, I went home, thought about it and told my brother as well. And I’ve decided to try and control my anger and tongue, and be a good boy.”

Saying this, he raced ahead, way ahead and disappeared, leaving me in a state of satisfaction, and with a smile on my face.

– Story by
Yashna Contractor

This cloth is a fragment,

A fragment of your heart.

Which will always be there,

Though the memories long gone.

The moments long gone never come back.

It is as if it’s a bird.

A paper oscillating in the air.

With the precious memories they hold.

The feeling it gives when caught.

The warmth that bursts in your lungs,

Which carries a sack of joy,

And also a little sorrow.

For the moments with the kids,

Are continuous golden threads.

Weaved with needles of happiness,

Which become a jubilatory notion.

This cloth is a fragment,

A fragment of your heart.

Which will always be there,

Though the memories long gone.

– Poem by
Aryaman Iyer

Could you simply give and not take away?

I am sure you’ll miss each moment when you go away,

Because all you wanted to do was stay and stay.

Learn to make a difference.

Could you make a child learn?

Could you make a child have fun?

Could you smile and cherish joy?

Could you make a wish come true for a li’l boy?

Could you giggle forgetting all your pain?

Could you act insane in spite of being sane?

Could you dance and draw imaginations?

Could you help decide someone’s ambition?

Could you understand the silence behind the face?

Could you understand the importance of excelling as an ace?

Could you hold a little finger and walk?

Could you sit there just to talk?

Could you ask the little guy just to dream for his own?

Could you understand the difficulties he faced when he was grown?

Could you simply live 15 days their way?

Could you simply give and not take away?

I am sure you’ll miss each moment when you go away,

Because all you wanted to do was stay and stay.

– Poem by
Sanjana

Very often even today I think, what would have happened to that girl? Would she be a doctor or a teacher or probably a housewife? What would be her fate?

While visiting a village, I saw a bride walk out. She looked 15 years old but they wanted her to look like she was 20. I was shocked. I had tears in my eyes.

I thought to myself that on one hand I talk about progress, change and women empowerment and here it was all crashing down. I had so many questions and no one to answer. Finally, one of my superiors took over.

They called Janki aunty and took all the necessary steps to stop the wedding. Very often even today I think, what would have happened to that girl? Would she be a doctor or a teacher or probably a housewife? What would be her fate?

Story by
Rhea Patel

Namrata looked as if she was about to cry as she waved a weak goodbye to Mitali and me. After a lot of retrospection, I knew what I had to do. On my way, the next day, Mitali and I offered to pay Namrata’s fees.

“My name is Namrata. I am ten years old. I like singing and dancing. What is your name? Where are you from? My mother works here. I have a brother and two sisters. What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me what your names are?” she went on without taking a breath.

“My name is Prachi and she is my friend Mitali. We are from Ahmedabad.” I replied chuckling.

“We are going to organize a summer camp here. Would you like to come? We are going to teach many activities like dancing, paper craft, cooking, etc. Tomorrow we are going to show a cartoon movie.” continued Mitali.

“Cartoon Movie? Yay!” squealed Namrata.

“Yes, 9:00 in the morning at Sarpanch office. Come with your brother and sisters.” I said.

Next few days went by as planned. Namrata used to attend classes everyday with her elder brother. Then the day came when I asked Namrata to get the fees of summer camp, a petty amount required for registrations. Next day, only her brother attended the camp. On asking, he said that his mother wouldn’t allow Namrata to attend the camp as fees were high for them. Namrata looked as if she was about to cry as she waved a weak goodbye to Mitali and me. We stood there, helpless.

After a lot of retrospection, I knew what I had to do. On my way, the next day, Mitali and I offered to pay Namrata’s fees. So as soon as we reached the village we went to the construction site. There we saw her mother. We gave her a receipt which stated that Namrata’s admission fees were paid. She looked confused and then she realised what actually happened. She thanked us for doing it and gave us her blessings.

– Story by
Prachi Virani

“My mom says we can influence someone’s mind when they are young. I want to be a good influence so that there are only good people in society. I don’t want any more Nishas.” she answered.

I was a teacher to fifteen kids at the summer camp in Keliyavasana, a village in Gujarat.

Nisha, a grade 3 student who was about seven years was treated like a princess by her father.

“I want to become a teacher,” said Nisha.

“Being a teacher is a great responsibility.” I tried checking her confidence.

“And I’m ready to take that responsibility.” she said clearing any and every doubt I had.

Later I called Nisha, “Tell me, why do you want to become a primary school teacher?”

“My mom says we can influence someone’s mind when they are young. I want to be a good influence so that there are only good people in society. I don’t want any more Nishas.” she answered.

“Why don’t you want any more Nishas?”

That’s when she spilled her life to me. I was stunned. If her previous fathers had been educated well, they wouldn’t have treated Nisha the way they did. She had gone through intense torture and pain at such a tender age. It was her choice not to give up and stand against all adversities, to live happily and look at the optimistic side of her life.

In the days that followed, Nisha made me an anklet and her mother complimented me for having changed Nisha’s life, forever for the better.

I had never thought I would be someone’s inspiration. That was certainly one of the best days I ever had.

– Story by
Mitali Shah

Instantly the first thought that crossed my mind was domestic violence. I tried all that I could to make her talk to me. She had stopped crying then but she was still holding my hand tightly.

In a class full of energy and enthusiasm, I noticed one sloppy figure in the back, Harshika. She was the only one in the entire class who wasn’t able to cope up with the steps or understand the rhythm. I saw a dirty crepe bandage secured by two pins loosely wrapped around her ankle. After every step that she took, her face would cringe with the pain her injured ankle gave her. In spite of this, she continued dancing and trying to match her steps with the class.

After the class got over, I called her and asked how she got her ankle hurt. She looked down at her leg in utter shock and pulled her pants down trying to hide it. I made her sit with me and held her hand. She hugged me and started crying. I noticed that the bruises on her arms had increased.

Instantly the first thought that crossed my mind was domestic violence. It was the foremost issue that many kids in the rural areas were facing. I tried all that I could to make her talk to me. She had stopped crying then but she was still holding my hand tightly. The bell rang and it was time for her to go home. I told her that she could come to me if she has any problems with the classes, teachers, family or anything else. She smiled gratefully and left with her friends.

I could not do anything beyond that. But pray every day for her happiness and safety. She sensitised me to a life I was never aware of.

– Story by
Kavisha Jhaveri

We left her house having tried our best. I explained Sanjana that girls of her age should focus towards education, career building and not marriage. She didn’t say a word but hugged me tight as usual and promised me that she wouldn’t cry anymore.

The Sanskrit meaning of Sanjana is “a unique creation of god”, and she definitely was one. At the best, she was cute and gentle, short, plump, dark and fat. Surprisingly, everyone used to make fun of her and call her witty names. She wasn’t conventionally good looking.

I had taken special steps and ensured Sanjana was treated fairly by all her classmates.

A week passed by. Sanjana came up to me and said, “Didi, I’m worried. I know I’m not very pretty and that people tend to see me differently. How will I ever get married? No guy will accept me.” I was dumbstruck. One question followed the other, ascending in the level of difficulty.

I realised her parents cursed her for her looks and ill treated her. So, along with a team of volunteers, we went to her house. We confronted her parents. We told them that Sanjana was young and deserved to be treated with love and affection. We asked them to look at her strengths. Sanjana was smart, outgoing and very good at art and craft.

We left her house, not completely satisfied, but having tried our best.

I explained Sanjana that girls of her age should focus towards education, career building and not marriage. She didn’t say a word but hugged me tight as usual and promised me that she wouldn’t cry anymore.

A few days later I saw her playing with her friends, enjoying life. On the last day of the summer camp, she came to me and gifted me a hand-made flower saying “Thank you” with the biggest smile on her face – The most precious gift ever.

Sanjana taught me to see things differently. To appreciate people, and to accept and love them for who they are. I am ‘Happee’ to have made a little difference.

– Story by
Jainey Shah

I question myself, how many people have the courage to withstand so much pressure? How do they strike a balance? We are born with lot of privileges but we never fail to crib. We keep complicating life when it demands simplicity.

2014 was my first year with Happee Summer Camp. I bumped into a small 11 year old boy. He had this peculiar habit of wearing a cap every day to class. Since I was his class in-charge, I learnt that he was brilliant and outstanding. He knew more than any average kid of his age would.

A few days went by and he just stopped coming to the class. I missed his presence and was curious to know the reason behind his absence. I asked one of his friends and he told me that Mayur’s parents had a very tough time making ends meet. His father was an alcoholic who refused to work and his mother earned petty wages. The money that came into the family was blown by his father and hence, Mayur was forced to stay home doing the daily errands and household chores.

The problem faced by Mayur, persisted since day 1. Yet the 4-5 hours that he spent at the camp were enough for him to momentarily forget his disturbed life at home.

I question myself, how many people have the courage to withstand so much pressure? How do they strike a balance? We are born with a lot of privileges but we never fail to crib. We keep complicating life the second it demands simplicity.

This kid who had the potential to learn so much, get a good job and earn good money for his family, had to stay home because he didn’t have enough resources. It’s a miracle how these kids survive in this world.

.

– Story by
Anaya Shah

I narrated a tale of two boys who stole mangoes from their neighbor’s yard. The boy gets bitten by a dog. The neighbor then explains both the boys that stealing is a crime and even when nobody is watching, God is always watching.

It was half past nine and I was already late for my first class of the day. As I was rushing towards my class, I bumped into Manish – a grade 2 kid from my storytelling class.

A shiny purple necklace fell off his pocket. I picked it up and curiously asked him where he got this beautiful necklace from. He very proudly pointed up at the washroom and smiled “There”.

Even though I was already late for my class, I stopped and pushed him for more details. He told me that he was very happy that he finally had a gift for his sister.

I asked him if he knew who the necklace belonged to. He shook his head and said, “Finders. Keepers.” I explained him that when he finds something that doesn’t belong to him, he should give it to the concerned authorities as the owner might be looking for it.

He shook his head furiously, snatched the necklace from my hand and ran away. I went up to my class and sat there thinking about what I should do. I did not want to force him into returning it, rather I wanted him to realize that it was wrong, ensuring he does not repeat this in future.

So the next day in my storytelling class, I narrated a very popular tale of two boys who stole mangoes from their neighbour’s yard. One of the boys was bitten by a dog and caught by the neighbour. The neighbour then explained both the boys that stealing is a crime and even when nobody is watching, God is always watching.

I saw Manish looking at me slyly as he knew this story was addressed to him. All the kids then got into a discussion with me about stealing. One of the kids asked me if he finds something on the street, is he supposed to just keep it.

Before I could answer, Manish stood up and explained to the entire class that keeping something that is not ours is also equal to stealing.

I felt very proud.

The entire class applauded him. He smiled and sat down. After the class, I expected him to come to me but he didn’t. I had given up hope. The next day before prayer, he came running to me and returned the necklace.

He asked me to ensure that the owner of that necklace gets it back. I was greatly touched by the action of this little angel.

Till now, I had spent time with children at Samvedana simply trying to share my knowledge with them. However today, for the first time, I felt like I actually paid forward a valuable lesson to a child. I felt, for the first time, I had made a difference.

– Story by
Aakanksha Shah