My life after joining iVolunteer

Today is 15th June 2008, I finished my 2 memorable years full of learning and good experience at iVolunteer… Today I started my day with cycle rally (7.30 Am to 12.30 PM for around 20 Kms):) 4-5 days back had given my cycle for putting gear in it, so that I can cycle with ease for this rally as well as future ones… Yesterday while returning from office after 3-4 hours of orientation session, on my way back home at 8PM, my kinetic petrol got over mid way, my Mechanic came and helped me by getting petrol and also unfortunately, I got the sad news at night 9 PM from him (as had given my cycle to a cycle shop known to him) that my cycle is not yet repaired and I wont get it…:( Wasn’t tensed though…. But was thinking that I have planned to leave at 7 AM and some people joining rally just because I have also confirmed my participation and now no cycle in hand… Fortunately my mechanic said he has a good gear cycle which he hasn’t used since months but would sit at night get it cleaned, fit the seat for my height and fill in the air and keep it ready by 6AM:) And he did what he said… After parking my bike on my way back to home at night yesterday, I met my Istri waala (Iron fellow, who irons clothes of around 100 houses:)) who was parking his cycle and generously agreed to give it to me next morning… I knew few people who were very much willing to join us, so also called few neigbours and arranged for another cycle at night 10 PM.. So finally we had 3 cycle in hand:) 6 people started from Koramangala to go the place where rally was supposed to start… Rally was of 4 kms from Cubbon park, but to reach there we had to ride atleast 8 kms:) But then we all enjoyed going there as a group and then even exciting was joing 50-100 more peopleJ Before rally started I was also honoured by the organisers (Jagruti organisation) with cute memento for doing volunteer coordination. After rally we did a street play on AIDS awareness, where I played Doctor’s role:) This is how I celebrated my 2 years completion at iVolunteer by spreading health awareness and environment awareness… You may enjoy the snaps which I would upload shortly:) Now I can feel bit tiredness after 4 hrs of completion of rally but still didn’t wanna miss this chance of writing this blog…

Coming to how iVolunteer platform changed my life….

I used to think that volunteering is something to do with orphans, but after teaching visually challenged boy Suresh I came to know that it’s also something to do with Blind people. But after I joined iVolunteer I realised that it’s not just children or blind but there are sooooo manyyyy other things that the list is endless… To mention a few, we have Special kids, Old age cares, Human right issues, women issues, education, community development, Civic issues, Road safety, environment etc etc etc and the list goes on and on… I am lucky that I got a chance to contribute to each of these in some or other way and sooooo I just feel that I have done and learnt something good and remarkable and there is lots and lots that I can do and learn… Words just can’t express my gratitude for such a wonderful platform i.e. “iVolunteer”, which has given me a chance to independently explore the social sector and touch thousand’s of lives directly and indirectly. It’s really been great to work here with everyone, be it the whole wonderful staff all across the country or the lovely volunteers or the cute beneficiaries or the great NGO’s or the professional corporates. There has been a great learning at each step and from each one of them in some or other way. Without your support I wouldn’t have been what I am today.
Also to join iVolunteer wasn’t an easy decision; it was a big decision to move from Corporate World to Social sector where you need to consider many things infact many facts… Joining iVolunteer wouldn’t have been possible without the support from “My family, my Super cool world’s best Family”, which has always and always supported me and my all interests.

So I really can’t miss this opportunity of saying everyone and each one of you “A Special Biiiiiiiiig Million dollar Thank you for making my journey in voluntary social sector worthwhile and a joy ride”. Please pray that I always do my best...

Would also love to and request you all to let me know your feedback on my work as well as the areas of improvement:)

Always Cheers and Smiles,
Prarthana :) :) :) :)

Giving happiness to others is a gr88888 act of charity:) So Keep Smiling guys!!!