My voice lives forever! - Chandrakanta S

Chandrakanta S

I joined Imagine Trust as part of my school activity which wanted its students to engage in Community service. I am so glad to have chosen Imagine trust which has been really generous to me.

I was given a task of recording a book for the visually impaired. It was something new and different to do than what the rest of the class was doing.

It was my first time doing a noble endevour like this and I as usual tend to delay and postpone my work. Thus after a bit slow start I got the spirit and I finished recording the entire book. On completion a sense of joy and satisfaction came over me which made me feel good about myself.
I was happy to have done this. The ‘Monk who sold his Ferrari’ by Robin Sharma is one such great books that inspires you. I am happy that lakhs of visually impaired persons will listen to this book through my voice.

I would like to thank Imagine Trust for letting me do this work which stands as a wonderful experience.

Editor’s Note: Chandrakanta is a kind person who feels for others. She is a student of standard 11 and has recorded a book under the Imagine Talking Books Project.
If you desire to be the voice to the lakhs of visually impaired, write to us at theimaginetrust@gmail.com. We will enable you to record a book for the visually impaired.
 

Visit to Old Age Home at Prashant Nivas: A beautiful day made memorable!

Well, it turned out to be a beautiful day from a disastrous previous night for me. All praise to Imagine. Yes, I joined my hand with some good intention in order to become useful for the society in some way. Old Age Home was the initiative in front of me.

I was  glad that first time I was getting this kind of opportunity that would give me something to be proud of myself, but I knew that somewhere in the corner of my heart, it was a sad feeling that was encroaching me to think to see grey-haired people, being left out in shelters. Some children bring them to old age homes and leave them here, promising to come for them later. But once someone gets in, there is no leaving.  

When I entered the premises, I saw a grim expression, may be an expression of loneliness, expression of being left out! These people must have once upon a time sacrificed their sleep for their children; must have nurtured them with care; must have provided their family with every necessity within their reach, and now when they are weak, feeble and old; they are left on their own.

I was feeling good when I made them smile, interacted and was lucky enough to be loved and got blessed by them. But that feeling got mixed with some gloomy emotions when I saw a young girl telling me "I don't have anyone" & Winola, my friend asked her not to cry.

When I felt their hands on mine, it felt like a different world to me. It was heavenly. Some got left out by age factor & some because of their illness such as being mentally challenged. Who knows whether they suffered this in the later run after being in solitary state. There was this Urdu speaker, Shahina, she loved me as her own son. There was a Keralite women, who sang innumerous songs for me, may be she was trying to get the feeling of her lost times. The advantage & knack over other volunteers was my ability to speak & understand multiple language.                                          

Life is a circle, many seem to forget that. Initially we needed them, but now they needed us. It's just that, roles get switched.

- Abdulla
Imagine ROC Volunteer

Date:15 Feb,2014

Venue: Prashant Nivas, Mangalore

Volunteers: Anupam Lobo, Abdulla, Aparna Naik, Jean Eden, Jovita Elveera Mendonca, Roshni Jean,Vinay Mut,Winola D'souza, Nitin Kumar, Divya Mulky, Akshata Shenoy, Rajvee Poojary, Leena Rasquinha.

Imagine Reach Out Club (ROC) is a initiative towards providing opportunity for the youth to get involved in service oriented work.

Send a mail to theimaginetrust@gmail.com to be part of future Reach Out Club (ROC) initiative.

Imagine ‘inspires’ 1600 Government School Students

Mangalore: Children from 27 rural government schools deliberated on various career opportunities ahead of them under the Imagine Inspire project. Series of Career Guidance, Motivation Talks and interactive sessions were organized by a Bangalore-based NGO The Imagine Trust in collaboration with the Department of Public Instructions and the Department of Women and Child Development.

 “The guidance and coaching that our 10 standard students receive during these programmes truly helps them develop positive thinking. It also motivates them to strive for success, said Sudhakara, Block Education Officer (BEO), Mangalore South, who was instrumental in organizing the program by bringing together the school heads of these 27 government schools under this project.

“Over 1600 students were covered under this novel project where the focus was to enable them make the most suitable career option of their choice. The aim was to inspire them to face life head on despite economic and social problems,” said Nitin Kumar the co-ordinator of the Imagine Inspire Project.

Apart from placing before students the gamut of career options available in the market, an effort was made to address their common fears and inhibitions. Sessions on How to prepare for examinations, stress management, overcoming failure were conducted along with experience sharing from several professionals from various fields, Nitin added.

The Imagine Inspire workshops were conducted in 6 different locations - Sarojini Madhusudhana Kushe, Attavar, Government High Schools, Kuppepadav, Moodshedde, Pavoor, St Sebastian School, Permannur and Kanachur Academy, Deralakatte.

The uniqueness of this program is that children get to interact with several professionals who fought various obstacles to enter the career stream of their choice. The event was co-ordinated by Imagine volunteers Sachin Kamath, Jeethy Dsouza, Raviraj Belma & Nitin Kumar.

Well-known speakers including Charles Furtado, lecturer, Vishwas, editor Udayavani, Vishranth B L, Chartered Accountant, Preethika Suvarna, HR professional, Sharmila, Poonam, counsellors, Sunila, Social worker, Family Service Agency, Chaitra Shetty- lecturer, and Damodhar Shenoy, Chartered Accountant were part of the programme.

Imagine volunteers Verdant Ravi, Bhanu Mati, Shibani Konchadi, Anupam Lobo, Nishith, Naima Asifa, Prakash Bhanushali, Rachana, Jean Eden, Aparna Naik & Ratan assisted in the project.

The Imagine Trust is a Bangalore-based non-profit organization which works with school children and with visually impaired in Karnataka. Started by a group of like-minded professionals today has Imagine Inspire Project, Imagine Talking Books Project, Imagine Reach Out Club (ROC) and Imagine Green Projects running in Mangalore & Bangalore.
For more information visit www.theimaginetrust.com.

Also like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theimaginetrust

No big funda! Simply Green it is!

Everyone is talking of Green things. Save the earth!!! Save our mother!!! But how can each of us actually do this? While adults like to engage themselves into intellectual debates it’s the young minds that need to be told of simple ways to Go Green. That is all what Imagine Green Champion project is all about.

Tell a child that if it reduces the use of plastic, it can save the earth. And lo! the child will get into action! That’s the power of “Catch them young”. We have faced the adult lot which will go green only if they have the time and some limelight. Let’s shake them up too and tell them that going green is not something needs a master’s degree or a life changing decision. This is the small, yet powerful message that the Green champion project drives in the mind of each child.

Using the black earth imagery the clock is turned to 2030. The messaging happens with the journey to reality/present from the future. During the Live Green Lives sessions in schools, children are shown very simple ways in which they can reduce, reuse and recycle. Take the scientific or theoretical fundas away, we make it simple and impactful to daily life. The green ways are simple, easy to achieve, no major modification to lifestyle and above all getting the sense of satisfaction that “I am doing something to save the earth.”

At schools the impact is immediate. They see, they feel and they act! Those schools where these sessions are conducted see less of littering around and more environmentally sensitive students.
If you want to join this “no funda” initiative just associate yourself with any of these facts and write to us at theimaginetrust@gmail.com

• I know a school in my locality where we can conduct a Green Champion session
• I can help be the bridge between Imagine and the school for building Green Champions
• I am willing to give 3 hours in a month for this Green initiative and do my part to “Save the Earth”

Its ok, we all suffer from this “I am busy” syndrome. Once you act on it, you have plenty of time at hand.

Its your turn to INSPIRE

At every stage in life we get inspiration from individuals or from the situations we encounter. These inspirations form our aspirations which shape into our dreams. Once APJ Abdul Kalam in his speech said, “We have to DREAM for our DREAMS to come true”. This powerful statement has never failed to inspire me. Now it’s time to inspire many more life through our interactions.

India has the youngest population in the world. It is this dynamic factor which has the potential to change the future of our country. Is our country ready to utilize the real potential of our future generation? Are our present youth and future generation thinking on the same lines as Kalam suggested? 

We find only few instances where youth from rural India made it big in the world when compared with the numerous success stories of the city or town breeds.

There aren’t many mechanisms to bridge this gap like what it’s been done in Bihar – the Super 30 story where Mr Anand Kumar who prepares small town and village kids for IIT.  It’s not just the coaching, he has helped those kids to dream big in life, he has created that inspiration to life, which will surely be the game changer in their life.

We Indians have become emotional only when we watch movies like “Aarkashan” or “3 Idiots” and we forget the situation after that. If we have another 20 Anand Kumars and his Super 30 kind of institutes, it will ignite many more sparks. If only parents are well educated and can help the kids to dream big. But this scenario is true only with 20-25% India’s, who lives in cities/towns. We still have 70% of India living in villages. It is here that one needs to ignite these minds.

It’s not the question whether we are encouraging everyone to be an engineer/ doctor; it’s about creating avenues for our rural youth and making them realize that they can build a better India. Whenever I talk to rural youth they are not aware of the preparations needed to get into NDA exams/CET exams/IAS officer or any other competitive exams. More than anything, there is no spark created in their life to do something big. Nobody has told them think big. No wonder we still have such a huge population of youth discontinue education before high school. While the current midday meal programmes has attracted kids to come to school, but not helped them to get inspired for life.

Imagine wants to inspire the present and future generation through visiting villages along with people who hold the spell to inspire others. This motivate people to do their bets in life. It’s not about making engineers or doctors, it’s about making resourceful citizen who can contribute towards India’s success story in any area including Agriculture.

We at Imagine, imagine a better India; a better future by inspiring thousands of youth who need guidance and inspiration in their life .Join Hands with Imagine to inspire our youth in small towns/villages to plan career guidance and building your career workshop to conduct.

Be the inspirational speaker and inspire many lives. We will train you to conduct this programme. Help us in identifying the schools/ colleges / communities where this programme can be conducted. Let us imagine an India where our youth will build this country with self-motivation and leading it to growth. 

Imagine Volunteers @ Shishu Bhavan

As an activity of  the  Reach Out Club,  a visit was organized to Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, one of the Institutions of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s) in Bangalore located at Lingarajapuram. 

 

The imagine Trust through its volunteers was in charge of feeding the children and cleaning the children’s home. The volunteers were asked to assemble at the venue at 8am on Saturday, 29^th June 2013.  This time was selected based on the schedule of the activities at the centre.

Sr. Kusumam, the person in-charge of  Shishu  Bhavan  briefed the 21 volunteers to treat all children alike, not to show any  preference for any particular child.  She also explained  how the children are helpless and we have to see God in them. 

 

Then the group was divided into 2 groups, one opted for feeding the children which included washing their plates  and the other took up the task of cleaning the dormitory and changing the bed linen.   After completing the respective jobs,  some of the volunteers also helped in washing  and drying their clothes.  For the task of feeding, the staff provided semi solid food which had to fed to all the children. The bedding and the linen is changed everyday because most of the children soil them multiple times in a  day. Clothes need to be washed several times to ensure hygiene and they are also rinsed in antiseptic lotion.

The day’s activity ended at 11.30 am with a briefing of The Imagine Trust to the volunteers.

As a practice, The Imagine Trust encourages volunteers to carry utility items. This is optional. Some volunteers chose to bring items whereas some contributed in cash. A total of Rs 11000 was collected in cash. This cash was utilized to buy the items. 

The items  which were generally those used  for the children in the institution such as Cerelac, Lactogen,  Chips, Soaps,  talcum powders,   diapers, toothpastes,  medicines,  multi-vitamin drops,  Dettol,  Dettol Hand wash,  Cooking oil,  Phenyl,  Harpic toilet cleaner, etc.  A detailed list is given below.

Feedback was collected at the end of the event. As expressed by the Volunteers, it was a great experience .   They were really moved with pity to see those innocent  children who are helpless because of their physical and mental  conditions.  Many of them expressed their desire  to visit Shishu Bhavan again.

 

Feedback :

• "Expecting much more of this  kind of activities"  - Ganesh  M
• "Awesome, wonderful experience.  Feeling very happy.  Thank you so much" - Akshara Ruchita
• "It was a great experience to be here to know such wonderful people.  Wish to be part of this association always.  Thank you". - Sangeetha
• "It was great experience to be part of Imagine Trust". - Kavitha K
• "Had nice time with Shishu Bhavan and would like be part of Imagine Trust." - Nalini
• "I would like to join you people hence forth.  Thank you". - Guna
• "Loved it.  Would like to do many more such initiatives with you all". - Sunanda Ramesh

Learning to Share by Gladys Noronha

We live in a fast moving world which has resulted in a lack of time for ourselves or for others.   We are caught in our day to day busy schedules which sometimes make us forget who we are and why we live.  We often bypass  the  essence of our living, to make our lives more worthwhile and fruitful for others.

The society is full of corruption and hatred.  We hear and witness so many unhealthy things and incidents happening around us.  The root causes for these are: man has become more self-centered,  more greedy  for power, wealth, name and fame.  Man wants to amass material wealth by any means, many a times through unjust means.   While doing this,  he forgets his moral and spiritual values in life.

Sharing is one of the most important aspects of one’s life.  In every religion the importance of sharing is emphasized.  Sharing means giving of yourself in one way or the other.  Sharing can be done in many ways.

As little children, we were taught to share with our siblings. As we grew, in school, we were taught to share with our friends and classmates. However sharing is more than just giving of what we have in excess.

The easiest way to remind ourselves of this simple value is by sharing material goods with the needy and those who are less fortunate. God in His mercy has blessed us with everything that we need for our daily life.  Many times, He gives us more than what we require so that we can  share them  with those who have less.  God loves a cheerful giver.  God the Father uses the same measure that we use for others. If we give to others, God will reward us tenfold.

In the Bible it is said that after the resurrection of Jesus, the members of the early Church were one in mind and heart.  No one said that any of his belongings was his own but they all shared with one another everything they had.  God poured rich blessings on them.  There was no one in the group who was in need………. The money was distributed to each one according to his need.  (Acts. 4:32-35)

Buy a meal for a poor person who you see on your way to college/work. On special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries, remember those who are not as lucky as you. Instead of that expensive pizza treat, share a few chocolates or pastries in an orphanage. When you have too many clothes that you have outgrown, find people to share them with. The list goes on.

Sharing of material goods does not always mean giving  of what we have in excess.  True sharing is also when we feel the pinch of giving.  “A bone to the dog is not charity.  Charity is the bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog” says Jack London, an American author, journalist, and social activist.

Sharing of spiritual gifts is a gift in itself. This includes love and kindness. “Love only grows by sharing.  You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others“ says Brian Tracy, the famous motivational speaker and author.   If the Lord has been good to you, share the same with those around you and with those who need them the most. Each of us is blessed with various spiritual gifts of the mind and heart.  There are so many people around us who need a  kind  gesture, a loving word, a listening ear.  Let us  be generous in sharing this God given gift which He has bestowed on us freely. 

Sharing of one’s  ideas and knowledge can be not only be a way of imparting information but can be beneficial too.  Sharing of knowledge can be done at any time, anywhere.   It can be in the work place, or home or on the way  while going for work or returning home.  It could be our friends, neighbours or  family members.  Again, knowledge and wisdom are God’s gifts to us.  By sharing our knowledge with others, we not only enrich ourselves but  make others better.

We are  blessed with so many talents.  We may know of them or may not be aware of these talents  we have.  So, let us be ready to share them with others in whatever way we can.  God has given us talents so that they can be used for others, for their welfare and by doing this,  we may be grateful to God the Giver of all gifts.

Money and resources are easier to share. But sharing of one’s time is priceless.  Very often we take  ‘time’ for granted.  Time is a precious gift, more valuable than precious possessions.  Let us give our time to listen to others,  to those who are lonely, aged, abandoned,  children, patients  in the hospitals, the sick and the bed ridden in their homes.  Let us spend a few minutes  of this precious time with them, to understand their suffering, to understand what they feel,  to be one with them.

 

All of us,  some time or the other have experienced the joy of receiving, now is the time to enjoy the joy of giving and sharing. After all, sharing is caring!