Lisa from New Hampshire plans to spend the summer in Bangalore on volunteer work at an orphanage. “This is my first trip to India and my first time volunteering in an orphanage,” she e-mailed. Googling for ideas on how she could make her work meaningful Lisa happened by an earlier post in this blog.
Lisa is among the 60 million Americans who take to volunteer work in their neighbourhood, or farther away from home during summer break. A report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that people between the ages of 34 and 54 are the most likely to volunteer; and they do so for various reasons – a need to help out, do good, give back. Or maybe it’s boredom that drives many to volunteering; a desire to meet new people; or, as NYT report put it, ‘concern that one’s obituary won’t (otherwise) have much to say’.
I can’t help feeling that a sense of adventure, coupled with the spirit of volunteerism, has been a factor in Lisa’s decision to make her first trip to India, volunteering for the first time to work at an orphanage.
Here’s what she says in her mail: I am a teacher in New Hampshire and I volunteer in afterrnoon programs for kids here all of the time. I am constantly trying to combine children having fun and children learning.
I have been trying to think of ways I could help the children I will be working with this summer in Bangalore – besides teaching them and caring for them , bringing them gifts, starting fundraisers in the US (where I live) for them etc…. I thought about taking them someplace special… and the zoo idea came about. that’s how I “googled and found” you!
I was wondering if this is something feasible – of course I would have to discuss this with the people in charge of the orphanage,,,,
I was wondering where/if I could find some type of transportation to rent – a school bus or something to bring the 40 children on an outing.
I was also wondering if the zoo is the place of choice to bring these children to. I would want them to 1) have fun 2) get out of the orphanage 3) learn something….
If you or anyone you know could help me with this, I would much appreciate it!
Filed under: Bangalore, NGO, U S, Volunteering
The selflessness and commitment of people like Lisa needs to be admired. I have a British friend who donated a huge amount to an orphanage in Parur town, some 40 km from Kochi.
Hi! Lisa,
I am relocating to Bangalore and I am interested to do some voluntary work for children and senior citizens.
Interested? please contact.
Have a nice day.
Nash.
Hi Lisa,
I am in Bangalore by birth and i have been looking different options to help the people in need. I am interested in joining hands in your social service, please contact me.
Regards,
Vinay
Hi,
I am very much impressed with your work. I want to help disabled children. I am a montessori teacher. I would like to work for disabled children. I want to know where I can go for this. I can only work in bangalore.
Thanks.
Shanthi.
Shanthi-I have a 9 year old son with severe ADHD. I need a nanny/tutor for him and his 4.5 year old brother. I live in Whitefield (Palm Meadows). If interested, please reply!
Victoria
Dear sir ,
I want to join as a teacher for orpanage student at evening time.Day time i want to work in uot side& i want spend that money for them.so i want to with stay orpanage student.If it is possible i want to spend my time for them.waiting for ur answer.My no is 9655584993
thanking u
by
kamal.
Hi everyone!
Thank you GVK for such a kind description!
I spent the most incredible 4 months of my life at the Grace Fellowship Charitable Trust in Bangalore, India. Volunteering, living, caring with and for the children at the GFCT opened my eyes and heart to the hardships that many need to overcome on a daily basis. Coming back to the United States was not easy. The discrepancy between those who have nothing and those who waste and complain was and is abominable.
In the US now, we constantly hear of economic recessions and the current financial and global crisis. Although I sympathize for the thousands who have lost their jobs and are going through foreclosure, I cannot get some images out of my head: The children from the orphanage going to school without shoes; kids handing me an empty plate for seconds that don’t exist; children sleeping three on a thin one-person wet mattress because of the monsoon rain coming into the rooms…
Since I have been back in the US, I have tried to help the children back in Bangalore. I have created a website for them (http://gracefellowshipcharitabletrust.blogspot.com/) and have organized a few fundraisers and slide-show presentations. I have been able to raise awareness and quite a bit of money for the orphanage. A few people have also contacted me to obtain information about volunteering in India and have since gone and volunteered at the GFCT.
This is all a small drop in the ocean… but it is a drop that I can make…
I think about the children on a daily basis, several times a day and I wish to return to Bangalore in the near future whenever I can.
Peace to all-
lisa
Dear Lisa,
The work you have done is honestly admirable. I was just thinking of donating a part of my salary (Though small) which I am currently paying to the Government in the form of tax, towards the upliftment of the Disabled & Orphans.
This way I think I could get complete Tax exemption & also I could do my bit to help people who are in desperate need of help. I will definitely give it a try,
Thanks for your information.
Wish you all the success in all such future endeavours,,,
Thanks & Kind Regards,
Suresh.
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Dear Lisa,
You are just awsome, It take a lot to work to help the needy children. Iam really admired by your work, Its really tough but not impossible you had shown your intent that you can do anything.
Iam working at Banglore really intrested please contact me at 9008334615.
Let me know how my help will progress you work.
Thanks,
Deepak.S
Dear Lisa,
Greetings.
I had seen your works and thought to help you ..If you need any assistance in having wheel chairs for the disabled .just contact me at +919866910092
Thank you.
In his Grace,
Rev.S.Praveen Chakravarthy
Hi lisa ,
Its a very good thing that your helping the needy people………..
i would be interested to work with u but only saturday, sundays if u don’t mind plz contact me once you reach & start with your work….my number is 9611408403.
your’s in christ
Mercy