“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
Inspiration can take different shapes. The nonprofit sector as a whole is immensely inspiring and those associated with it are making a significant difference in the lives of the communities they serve all over the world. By making an online donation or offering your time to an NGO of your choice, you can further contribute to this altruistic system and support those in need.
Most NGOs will struggle to effectively complete their missions without the help of volunteers. Including volunteers in an NGO’s operations can greatly enhance its value and help the organisation accomplish its goals and mission.
At a personal level, serving as a volunteer for an NGO can be a fulfilling and satisfying experience. It gives one the ability to positively impact other people's lives and give back to the community in a meaningful way. Through volunteering, a person can develop new abilities, meet people and have a deeper comprehension of important social concerns.
Additionally, volunteering can enhance mental health by reducing stress and increasing feelings of purpose and fulfilment. It's also a great way to find interests or passions that may lead to future career opportunities. In general, volunteering for an NGO benefits the organisation as well as the individual. It is a rewarding activity that promotes personal growth in addition to positively contributing to society.
One organisation is The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in India that implements the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (Mid-Day Meal Programme). Akshaya Patra promotes active volunteerism and welcomes involvement from those who share their objective that no child should be deprived of education due to hunger.
Volunteers, in their opinion, are an essential component of their team. They provide a variety of volunteering opportunities, including organising events, campaigns and fundraisers, and taking on different roles in the corporate headquarters, branches and kitchens. You have the chance to learn new things and make new friends while fighting to end the unending circle of limited resources.
How you can volunteer with Akshaya Patra
There are several ways one can help.
• Volunteer in kitchens: A volunteer can take part in a range of kitchen-related activities, such as chopping and cleaning vegetables, cleaning delivery vehicles and other similar duties, and do their bit to ensure that nutritious mid-day meals reach children on time every school day.
• Visit schools: Depending on interest and availability, Akshaya Patra can schedule a visit to the school or schools in the vicinity. A volunteer can spend time with the children, serve mid-day meals to them and have conversations to highlight the importance of education, health and nutrition.
• Events and Campaigns: Akshaya Patra organises campaigns and events from time to time. The need for volunteers varies based on the nature of the event. To help contact Akshaya Patra and allocate the task based on a volunteer’s availability and areas of interest, one must register in advance for this.
• Talk about the NGO: Talking about the Foundation's work in person or on social media can help others learn about it.
“The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers,” said Terri Guillemets. Everyone has the power to make a difference in society and assist those who are most in need. Volunteering with Akshaya Patra will help you change perceptions and save lives.
Be a part of Akshaya Patra today and help end classroom hunger. Reach out to our corporate fundraisers and volunteer with us.
#SpreadingSmiles (BOX)
To mark the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti, Standard Chartered India recently organised a heartwarming kite-making #employeevolunteering activity in collaboration with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, spread across three locations – Mumbai (BKC & Fort) and Pune.
More than 300 volunteers came together for the event, giving of their time to make more than 500 newspaper kites for government school children.
As these carefully-made kites are given as festival gifts, the volunteers' combined efforts are anticipated to brighten the smiles of hundreds of children.
The Chief Executive officer along with other officials of AGS Health spent a day at a government school, diving into the joy of childhood by playing games like musical chair, balloon blowing, and participating in a drawing competition. They also served mid-day meals prepared by The Akshaya Patra Foundation to the children, spreading joy and nourishment.