Veda Nadendla’s experience with social work has not only taught her managerial skills but has given her instant mood elevators when she needed them on a bad day. The 21-year-old was a fundraising volunteer with Make A Difference (MAD), a not-for-profit organisation for two years. MAD volunteers aid in skill-development of children that help them get employed.
Now a volunteer with Youth ki Awaaz, a news blog and a campaigning platform for NGOs, Veda is pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource and Organisational Development at Madras School of Social work. “Working at MAD was kickass! This kind of work adds meaning to college education. It gives you a purpose in life,” Veda says.
She started out as a fellow and was later promoted to the president of the fundraising committee. “The kind of exposure and ownership that you get there is unbelievable. The hands-on experience and the space that they give, make you a better individual. No matter how bad your day is, if you visit the kids at the shelter home, it is enough to make you feel better,” she says.
Veda confesses that she has become an effective manager, better than her peers at college, all thanks to MAD. “Simple things like writing an effective email, pitching to people and making people write a cheque in favour of your organisation is so tough. MAD taught me how to do that,” she adds.
She feels a void in her life after leaving MAD. “It was a time consuming job. I had to give out logistics to the HR team, the corporate team and make plans to raise funds for MAD operations. Questions like where to market, who to assign a task and which corporate to approach had to be addressed,” she says, describing a typical day at MAD.
While pursuing a BSc in Psychology from Ethiraj College for Women, she had to juggle between volunteering and studies. “I would finish college at 5 pm but wouldn’t reach home till 9 pm because of work,” she says.
Veda fondly remembers a 17-year-old from MAD, Gauthaman. The boy had come from Kochi to fulfill some visa formalities for his impending US visit and she had gone to the railway station here, to see him off on his return journey. “I don’t want you to be alone on this platform. I will not board the train till you leave,” he had said. This brought tears to her eyes. “I think little gestures like these are a way of giving back. I couldn’t have asked for more,” she says.
suraksha@newindianexpress.com