Compassion Unlimited

At Home wi th Children

NOVEMBER 14 is a day especially dedicated to children across the world irrespective of their
affiliations or families they belong to. One of the most innocent attributes of a child is the smile
that can even melt down a stone and bring down any mountain, reflects Sameena Siraj of MBA (I
Sem) Pondicherry University Program after a day well spent with the less fortunate children.

the day began in all its beauty and splendour. As usual, we had assembled at the campus in the morning but without an inkling of what would unfurl later in the day. At that moment, Professor Sheka came over and requested us to board the college bus that was packed at the campus. He later informed all the students that we would be going out as volunteers to a Children's Day activity in the city. All of us were very excited but clueless of what awaited us.
The journey began with a visit to Shishu Mandir, an orphanage located behind Garden City College campus. On arrival, we were told that we would be taken to watch a movie at Cauvery theatre. We arrived at the theatre at around 8.00 am. As we entered, we found it packed with kids from Infant Jesus Christ School. There were 343 kids in total and the movie being shown was Roadside Romeo- an animated Hindi movie. We all joined the kids for the movie. It was a delightful moment. Later we got to know that the day’s program was organised by an NGO called Family India Association.
As soon as the screening of the movie was over, the volunteers gathered outside the theatre along with the rest of the team. The time was 11.00 am. Each of us was assigned four kids to look after with a set of instructions for the day. It was a big responsibility on our young shoulders because taking care of the naughty and playful kids was not going to be a walk in the park. All the volunteers along with kids were asked to board the bus and soon we were on our way to the Bible Society of India on Hennur Road. This would be the entertainment camp for these kids.
Around 11.30 am, we reached the camp and led the kids to different game stalls that had been set up at the place. The huge sports arena later hosted football and cricket which the kids seemed to enjoy a lot. In each of the game stalls, when one of the kids won a game, they were rewarded with prizes that filled their eyes with joyous sparkles.
At 1.00 pm, the dance programme commenced and the children were encouraged by the volunteers and teachers to dance towards the center of the camp. It was great fun to dance with these children as the loud speakers belted out hit after hit. The volunteers too joined in shaking a leg to the beats.
After an hour of eccentric dancing, the volunteers gathered all the kids at the camp for a sumptuous lunch provided by the Leela Palace. Firstly, we all led the kids to have their lunch before we settled down for a meal with them. Thereafter, all the kids joined a queue to collect their bags of goodies.
At 2:30 pm, we boarded the college bus back to the pavilion.
There were moments of happiness and the memories that will forever remain etched in our recall. The day provided us with a unique experience to be with children. It gave us a feeling of great responsibility and taught us that we should always be thankful to our Almighty God for the blessings in our lives. Also to help the less fortunate in the society who lack the basic needs we so often take for granted. I have made a pledge to give something back to the society through my earnings. After the day, the satisfaction we derived was truly amazing!

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Sameena Siraj MBA (I Sem) Pondicherry