Issue 1 Connect JFM 2017
Featured Family The Mirashis
Who: Sachin, Tvisha( 9), Swapna from Singapore.
What: Volunteering as a family for a week at an experimental school in Sewagram Ashram( setup by Mahatma Gandhi and associates) in an Indian village.
Why did you think of volunteering as a family?
1. We have been monetarily supporting causes close to our hearts- education and entrepreneurship and wanted to get actively involved.
2. We also wanted to give Tvisha a different experience and perspective.
3. Being a city family, we tend to take the comforts and conveniences for granted. It is hard to imagine a life without a soft bed, soft pillows, hot water in the bath, transport, education. Life in village is constrained due to limited resources there. We thought it would be good to step out of our comfort zone and test our adaptability as a family.
4. We have set lifestyles- weekday lifestyle, weekend lifestyle, holiday lifestyle and family lifestyle. We took a break from planning, rushing, socialising and resorts and did something we hadn ' t ever before.
The experience:
The first day was a bit tough, but once we came to terms with the adjustments we needed to make in our regular lifestyle, we settled into the environment through the days. Then it was an outstanding experience- pure nature, lovely people, peaceful environment, intellectual discussions, gratifying teaching experience and vivacious children. We taught the senior students and teachers a module on entrepreneurship. We also got a rare opportunity to join in a march on foot through 6 hamlets creating awareness about quality education and equal opportunities for both boys and girls.
14