Being an ex-sponsored child, Papu is no stranger to the work of Children International-SAHAY and it’s functioning, reaching out to families like his, caring for children, taking care of them and making them self-reliant.
He is a successful example of this principle of the organization. He opines, “My father is a poor farmer and my mother a homemaker. They could only dream of sending me and my sibling to school to get a proper education. All this was achieved when I was enrolled into the sponsorship programme and started receiving education and health benefits, various trainings and family assistance. Thus I was educated.”
“This was not all,” adds the youth, “I was also a recipient of the HOPE (Helping Overcome Poverty through Education) Scholarship with which I could continue my higher education.”
The graduate in Bengali Language has also a member of the organization’s Alumni Association since 2012. The very fact that he understood poverty and its pains from an up, close and personal experience, Papu was able to relate to the difficulties and challenges faced by other children and their families.
“The poor children and their situations urged me to do something,” remarks Papu. “I wondered what could I? Then I realized that I could offer my services as a volunteer to help run the machinery of the organization smoothly. This is what exactly brought me to become a volunteer.”
As a volunteer the young man does home visits, developing emotional bonds with children and their families and just being ‘a good listener.’ “People want to talk to someone. They need advice and guidance. I am so privileged that I am able to do that,” states Papu.
“There is so much of respect and love I receive as a volunteer. All this would not have been possible without the organization and the opportunity it has provided me for which I am eternally grateful,” appends the young volunteer.
His day starts early where he begins by helping his father in the field, giving private tuitions, helping with the domestic chores at home, spending time reading books and working as a group tutor for the children. Inter-spaced with all these activities he finds time to devote for his volunteerism.
He seeks to complete his higher education pursuing a Master’s Degree and sums up by saying, “I believe I shall be able to carve my own niche in life.”
*(Papu is a volunteer with Children International-SAHAY for the last few years. The Kolkata based NGO works with about 26,000 children and youth in several districts of West Bengal. SAHAY is affiliated to Children International, Kansas City, USA. More details on www.children.org )