Nov 04, 2024 . Read 5 min
Nand Ghar Welcomes Volunteers from Around the World to Join Our Movement
Team Vedanta
Volunteers can play a transformative role in bridging the gap between what is needed and what is available, helping to secure a brighter future for the next generation. Jenna Wood, an international volunteer from the United Kingdom, got a first-hand experience of this when she volunteered with Nand Ghar at Ramnagariya in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
The Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta Group, has been significantly contributing towards nation-building, social welfare and environmental development through various programmes. Nand Ghar, AAF’s flagship social impact project, is one such programme that aims to revolutionize India’s Anganwadi network through modern infrastructure and a range of integrated services like e-learning for children, early childcare education, nutrition, and skilling for women empowerment. Nand Ghars function as preschools for 3-6-year-olds in the morning, and in the second half, a skill training hub for rural women.
On visiting the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya, Jenna realized how, for some children who were coming from far-off areas, the center was inaccessible. The parents wanted to send their children daily but faced the issue of lack of ease of mobility. To overcome this, the young volunteer, on her second trip to India, returned with an e-rickshaw for the children's daily commute. To make this happen, she independently raised money in her own country and funded the vehicle. Thanks to this thoughtful gesture, the Ramnagariya Nand Ghar now welcomes children who previously struggled with the long journey, ensuring that more kids have access to the education and services they deserve.
In July 2022, AAF launched the Nand Ghar Global Volunteering Program in association with Aii Group, which onboards and supports international volunteers. This programme is aimed at imbibing cross-cultural learnings at Nand Ghars and has welcomed international volunteers like Jenna from the UK, USA and Columbia. During their stay, volunteers interact with the local community, learn about the project, and experience the vibrant culture of India.
Abi and Oscar, volunteers from the UK, spent weeks teaching young children about the importance of nutrition through engaging activities. Their efforts aligned with Nand Ghar’s focus on ‘poshan’ (nutrition), helping children understand the value of a healthy start in life. These contributions, while seemingly small, have a profound impact on the lives of the children and their families, reinforcing the power of community and global solidarity.
The volunteers interact with children and the Anganwadi workers through various activities, including daily teaching sessions focused on linguistics, arts, and arithmetic. “The children are so full of energy. We’ve been teaching them numbers, letters and drawing,” said Jamima, another volunteer. The program also provides an opportunity for volunteers to interact with community women and adolescent girls, raising awareness about health and hygiene.
For the children and women attending Nand Ghar, the presence of international volunteers is a unique opportunity to interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It exposes them to new teaching methods, languages, and ideas, broadening their horizons and inspiring them to dream bigger.
Volunteers, on the other hand, are enriched by the vibrant local culture, traditions, and the incredible spirit of resilience they witness. This two-way exchange not only benefits the communities but also leaves a lasting impression on the volunteers, who take back lessons of humility, perseverance, and the joy of simple living.
Like Jenna and others, you too can become a harbinger of change and transform lives. Nand Ghar supports all volunteers by facilitating their on-ground experience and offering a certificate from AAF for volunteering efforts. If you are passionate about giving back and wish to spend some time working at the grassroot level, sign up to be a volunteer at Nand Ghar today. Your contribution can make a world of difference, one child at a time. Visit www.nandghar.org or write to Nand Ghar at contactus@nandghar.org.
