A chemical engineering student of BMS College Of Engineering, Malini, has been teaching visually impaired children for the last three months. A year ago she had no idea about philanthropy. Taking out time from a hectic college schedule is not easy. But an increasing number of students are coming forward to take part in social/community service.
A friend introduced her to an NGO called Youth For Seva. A variety of options were opened to her — she could be a teacher, a nature conservationist or a sponsor among other options. She chose to teach visually impaired children at Samarthanam, JP Nagar. “It is an enriching experience. I have learnt to see beyond my own limits. We are blessed with vision, we can see, hear and talk. After coming here I understood what others go through,” she says.
She teaches on Saturdays after college, from 3. 30-5.30pm every week. “Managing teaching and studies is not easy. I have made a timetable to finish my studies by Friday, so that I can commit to the kids on Saturdays,” she says. She had a heartwarming experience while volunteering for the job. “It was Teacher’s Day Celebration at the centre, and I had only taken three classes till then. I did not expect anyone to recognise me as a teacher. I was surprised when children came up to me to present a light bulb. The idea was, even if they could not see, they wanted their teacher’s lives to be filled with light.”
— durbaduttabhaumik@yahoo.com