Description

My name is Susanna Boaz, and I'm a behavioral therapist for children with ASD, holding a B.Sc. in Psychology. I chose to volunteer with HACI because I was intrigued by the field work of NGOs and wanted to gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector. I spent one month working with a coordinator to create multiple intelligence narrative reports for children, using Howard Gardner's theory to understand their unique cognitive profiles. This experience offered me valuable insights into practical aspects of psychology . I was delighted by how welcoming the children were and how the team was so dedicated to the cause. It was truly inspiring to witness NGOs like HACI taking significant steps in mentoring underprivileged children and paving a way for their brighter future. I was more than happy to have been a part of this team, even for a short time, and the experience has enriched my understanding of both my field and community work.

Description

My six months of volunteering at Help a Child of India, an NGO, as an intern, was one of the most momentous experience, that I still treasure to this date . Although I’ve done my bachelors in Microbiology, a field that kept me absorbed in antibodies and cellular structures of various micro floras, what drew me to this work of service was something more deeply rooted to back during the times of pandemic , I was shaken by the reports of children especially those from the underprivileged backgrounds , which was disproportionately high, as they were not just victims of the disease but also the absence of quality healthcare, less access to preventive measures like vaccine or testing and the inability to work from home, which made them more vulnerable in the light of COVID 19. This lack of opportunity and awareness during those times of crisis caused a sense of helplessness in me, and hence, even after three years since then, this being the reason why I wanted to do something for the society by whatever means I could. My role in the NGO was nothing short of fulfilling. I wrote content on rescue stories, capturing anecdotes of incidents that gave the underprivileged a second chance at life. These stories were made possible by the tireless efforts of our field volunteers, whose enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities helped many families find light again and rebuild their lives with dignity. The bright smiles of children made this work especially vivid and meaningful. I also had the chance to channel my artistic skills into creating posters, comics and, most importantly, an animation project that I take great pride in. This project focused on raising awareness of the POCSO Act, and this project wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and valuable insights of Shanthi Hopr ma’am, from whom I learned about the psychological realities of child survivors of sexual abuse and the protections the law offers them, which was still little known among disadvantaged communities. The lack of awareness about laws against sexual offences, the difficulty of accessing proper legal support, and the heavy veil of taboo around the subject struck me deeply. Creating materials that could dissolve some of these barriers and bring clarity to children and families and motivate them to seek justice was all I wished to iterate in my project. My experience at the NGO was both rigorous and rewarding. The CEO of Help a Child of India, was remarkable to work with. His commitment to integrity, the thoughtful discussions we shared, and the creative independence he encouraged made my six months of volunteering the most fulfilling experiences of my life. My overall experience at Help a Child of India was truly spellbinding. The friendly and cooperative teams, united by the goal of making a difference and giving back to the community, made my volunteering journey both meaningful and fulfilling. If you are considering volunteering with Help a Child of India, I can assure you that every day is a vibe.