A Workshop Camp for children was hosted by MAD (Make a Difference), a NGO for underprivileged children, for 3 days at Palm Village Resort, which has turned out to be a grand success among the 140 odd participants. This is an annual affair and the camp not only provides a unique platform to the kids to explore their talents but also gives them a life changing experience. The children are appointed to mentors who are mostly college students. In the words of one of the organizers of the camp, Stobhraj Gooptu-“Dream Camps provide a support system and an emotionally safe place” and this is ensured by appointing at least three adults to care for each and every child.
For instance, consider the case of Md. Raza a class VII student of Canvas School at Lake Gardens who has finally realized his inner potential. He was a bit hesitant at first but coming to the camp left him with no regrets. He has emerged out of this as a more confident and better individual. The workshops included fun-filled activities throughout the days such as :
- Quilling
- Mime
- Beatboxing
- Arts Challenge
- Fun Games
The events were colourful and aimed at tapping the creativity of this youngsters. For example, they included adding their own touch to the superhero capes that they were given. After adding their personal touch, the capes were tied to their backs. It was indeed an exercise that can prove as a confidence booster, said Aishwarya Soni, centre support fellow at MAD, who is also a third year business management student at the St. Xavier’s College. She recalled how sad it made her when she found out that a kid of her age back in her childhood, whom she grew up with, had to do odd jobs at home. She felt horrible at the condition of such kid and owes her interest to work in this sphere to those emotions. While Soni had a backdrop for joining the camp, Muskan Sethia, another volunteer for the camp, signed up just for the experience of it. But fate has it written, and thereby she now enjoys the event to such an extent that in her own words, she ”look forward for the event all year round”. She is an IT student of Netaji Subhash Chandra Engineering College but likes doing this job. In fact, Priyanka Ghorai, didn’t know how to pursue her dreams unless MAD and the workshop came around. She recalled how oblivious she was to writing a CV and prepping for an interview. But her mentors at the event have made life easier for her, she informed. She now knows how to crack an interview for a job or an internship. MAD is operational in Calcutta from 2009 and has joined hands with 4 other shelter homes:
- All Chldren Together Trust
- Dakshin Kalikata Sevasram
- Calcutta Muslim Orphanage(Boys) &(Girls)
The city team leader is Subham Kanoi, who is a finance student at the St. Xavier’s College summarized the event as a bridge between the stark difference between a kid who lives in shelter homes and the ones who live a ‘sheltered life’.
Source: http://goo.gl/vLMVQq
