Among the many things that children learn these days, right from calculating the velocity of a speeding car to packing a punch on PS2, there's one other thing that they need to be taught — to give back to society.
With this in mind, Vedika, a non-profit foundation working for the underprivileged children, organised “One Cause, Many Connections”, an event that brought together the “blessed” children and the underprivileged children together.
Gaining awareness
In the morning, the children from Maitri trust witnessed their privileged counterparts compete in various competitions like science presentations, creative photo writing and music. The money collected from kids as registration was donated to the trust. “Hence, we decided to bestow on them the title ‘Young Helping Stars',” said Srikala Ganapathy of Vedika Trust. “While the privileged children gained awareness about children like themselves who do not have the luxuries that they do and about the need to contribute to society, the underprivileged children gained exposure to science and arts.”
Exposure, they sure did get! The children from Maitri trust in turn got an opportunity to do science presentation for their friends. There was one on how to prepare glue from milk with the help of vinegar and baking soda. Another was on chromatography. In this, the child explained how if you thought brown sketch pen was made of only brown dye, you were wrong. Through the process of chromatography, one can separate the dye and find out the different coloured dyes that make up the brown colour. The children who have been tutored by volunteers from Vedika regularly on various science topics, learnt that science can be fun too!
Following the presentations, was a western music performance by the older boys, who were accompanied by Koushik Goutham, a Std IX student of Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya, on the drums. Koushik is also a volunteer with Vedika and had been rehearsing with the Maitri Trust children for three weekends preceding the performance. “I taught them how to sing with the help of shakers. It helped them to maintain rhythm and I also showed them how to modulate their pitch. It was a good experience for me. I am happy that I made new friends. We mingled like classmates,” said Koushik.
Following this event, Vedika is planning a new project for kids with cancer, for which they will be happy to have volunteers help them. So for those of you who wish to volunteer, contact Srikala @ 98410 04588.
I feel
Srishtika Sriram, V, Sishya School: I won the third prize in the Science competition. I did a presentation on photosynthesis. Apart from the competition, it was a noble event as the proceeds go to the trust. Besides, every month I donate some money from my account to orphanages. On my birthday and those of my family members' I sponsor lunch at an orphanage. I feel this is a better way of celebrating birthdays rather than hosting parties. When we have all the comforts, we should help those who do not enjoy such privileges.
