Journeys of volunteers to becoming working committee members

The journey of Divya Veeranki in her own words

I have been a long-term volunteer with ASWA, since being introduced to the organization by my college’s alumni in September 2015. After moving to Hyderabad for my job, I used to spend most weekends taking part in various activities of the organization. My journey with ASWA began with the Share & Care Program around March 2016. We visited old age homes and spent quality time, like we spend with our own grandparents. We also used to conduct games, sessions about the environment and health for children in orphanages. Most of ASWA’s activities focus on education for children in remote and slum areas in and around Hyderabad city where there is much need for these. Even a little effort by us can make a huge impact there.

I grew up in a middle-class family. Even a merit scholarship (as I scored good marks in my 7 th grade common exams) of Rs 2,000 was a proud moment for my parents. I have always believed in the power of education. I still remember how excited I was after receiving that scholarship at the age of 12 years. I promised everyone that I would study well, get a good job, and help needy children as much as possible to help them achieve their dreams. I made that promise when I was a child. It is that promise that continues to drive me to this day. Teaching children, spending quality time learning together with them, and mentoring makes me feel content. That is what motivates me to keep on being a part of ASWA.

Since I joined ASWA as a volunteer, the next year (2016) I became actively involved in all other activities. These included monthly food distribution at maternity wards in government hospitals, blood donation camps conducted for children affected by thalassemia, and leading primary school sessions in ASWA’s Vikas project. Two years later (2018), as a key member, I used to plan a few activities, communicating and leading teams.

Sreenivas Garu (Garu is a term of respect in Telugu) and Haritha Garu used to hold workshops and sessions for all of us online during the Covid-19 lockdowns on children’s literacy, ways of teaching children, understanding them, etc. All of this helped us to skill up while working on children’s education projects.

I am glad to be a part of ASWA as a volunteer, and now as a key member. This has given me the opportunity to fulfil my childhood vow to truly make a positive impact in a few lives. Wherever I am, I’ll take up some tasks that I can do for ASWA. I always have the comfort level to share my ideas on organizational growth, and to contribute my best for achieving the organization’s goals, which in turn impacts many lives in our society.

The journey of Krishna Kumar Garimella in his own words

Upon retiring at 60, I discovered a new purpose, giving back to society. This journey began with ASWA’s Jeevan Vidya workshop. It led me to engage in various social service activities. These included Vikas school library sessions, visits to orphan homes, food distribution initiatives, and blood donation camps. In the process, I started experiencing a profound sense of fulfillment and gained new perspectives. Each intervention ignited a sense of joy and empowerment, inspiring me to continue making a positive impact.

I was truly inspired by the Child Learning Centers (CLCs) established by Sri Srinivas and Srimati Haritha at Shadnagar. These empower underprivileged children to reach their full potential. Over the years, I have witnessed remarkable transformations in these children, demonstrating the profound impact of dedicated support on their overall development. As I embarked on the CLC initiative and began volunteering, I discovered a profound sense of fulfillment.

Reflecting on my journey of volunteering, I realized that I gained far more than I gave. I developed a new perspective on life, enhanced my capabilities, and started connecting with like-minded individuals who share a selfless spirit. Moving forward, I am eager to continue experiencing the joy of witnessing the innocent yet exhilarating smiles of these children.

Amma Social Welfare Association (ASWA) is a nonprofit organization based in Hyderabad. Initially it worked for a decade in communities implementing various service programs. These included blood donation drives, financial support to poor students, food distribution, relief activities, and awareness programs in schools. In the process, the organization realized that it needs to work with the system to address the root causes of society’s problems. ASWA then started working on critical levers of social change, such as education and the environment, which have high potential to transform the present situation.

Website: www.aswa4u.o