Namaste, I am Tanmaya R, pursuing B.A.,L.L.B at National Law School of India University or NLSIU. My idea of volunteering is that one should be able to find some time in their day to do selfless service to society and also feel satisfied with what we have done.
During the first week of my work at Youth for Seva (YFS), it was all about getting ready for Chiguru, the organization’s flagship event that gives government school kids a stage on which to display their abilities. I was hesitant at first, but after spending hours creating and painting props with the event’s science-space theme, I quickly felt at ease working with other interns from NLS. Although the task was tedious and time-consuming, it improved our ability to work as a team and be creative. We made stars, rockets, constellations, moon rocks, and spaceships. As a result, I was able to interact with new people and also step outside of my comfort zone.
Volunteering For ‘Chiguru’ Program
Another part of my internship included visiting government schools to prepare kids for a scientific show held at RNSIT. We visited four schools: GHPS Tavarekere, GHPS Jambusavari Dinne, GMPS Hongasandra, and GHPS Hulimavu, where selected participants explained science models (such as earthquake alarms, hydraulic lifts, and robotic models), and I assisted students in clearly articulating their concepts, primarily in Kannada but also in English. I prepared possible questions to ensure students were ready and confident, allowing them to understand rather than memorize. After some visits, I saw their enthusiasm and confidence grow. There were also a few emotional moments that made me see how much of an influence we had on their lives. It also taught me patience and adapting to various different situations.
Helping kids with their science projects.
Finally, encompassing all of the activities we had to prepare the props for the Chiguru event as well as 170 congratulation notes, teacher appreciation cards, corporate volunteer thank-you notes, and student ID cards for the exhibition. Through all of this, though exhausting it strengthened my creative skills pushing me to think outside the box, teamwork, especially when I saw students I mentored win some prizes and confidently presented their work.
The joy of giving !
This experience made me reflect in different ways. I discovered that certain tasks, even simple ones like decorating or preparing materials, require time, planning, and effort from everyone. Interacting with government school students improved my communication skills and taught me how to express concepts in an easy manner, particularly in Kannada. I also gained confidence while interacting with new people, which helped me push myself beyond my comfort zone. Most importantly, I realized that even small amounts of motivation can significantly boost someone’s confidence. The event taught me how collective efforts may have a big influence on others.
With Fellow volunteers & Coordinators from Youth For Seva
Authored by: Tanmaya R. B.A., L.L.B NLSIU
Contact: tanmayareddy52@gmail.com
