We asked: In what way would you like to volunteer and give back to the community?

A new chapter

Being just 12 years old, I realise that I will not be able to do a lot of volunteer activities that adults can do – like for instance, going off to a poor country and helping the people there. However, what I would like to do and have done several times is raising funds for the poor by having sales of old books. Laxmi Nair

A taste of the world

I’ve always been involved in volunteering projects right from the time I was in school. The kind of joy and fulfilment one gets when helping others is something that needs to be experienced to believe. I remember an occasion when I was in Gujarat during the earthquake that destroyed parts of the state. Seeing the devastation in some of the villages and the suffering of people was heart-rending. A few volunteers and I were involved in setting up relief shelters for the people. That experience taught me a lot about coping with suffering. Deepak Bhandari

A shocking experience

One of the most moving moments in my life was when I was trapped on the roof of my house along with three members of my family during the recent floods in Kerala. After seeing the hardships the fishermen endured to rescue us and take us to a safe place, I decided I too should do my bit to help people. I helped at the relief camps in Kerala but could not do more as I had to return to the UAE. Rekha Menon

Opening the floodgates

The flood in Kerala was an eye-opener of sorts for me, and I am sure for several hundreds of people who were affected by the tragedy. I was one of the thousands who lost a lot when the flood waters ravaged our homes. Unable to do anything me and my family were quite literally at the mercy of nature. But seeing the way some of the people went out of their way to help the affected was just amazing. I too decided to put the pain of loss behind me and work to help others as best as I could. I was part of a group of volunteers at a relief camp, where we packed stuff for the affected. Even though it was a small task compared to bigger things being done by others, I still felt I had contributed in my own way. Lena Mohan

Valuable lessons

One of the areas that I would truly like to contribute or volunteer towards is in helping children get a good education. I belong to a small village in Tamil Nadu in south India and have been contributing some money as well as a few school items every year when I visit the place on my holidays. Education, I feel, is the most important thing we could give the next generation. I would like to do more – maybe see the little government school with not many facilities in my village become a proper educational institution that would churn out good human beings who will be assets for the country. Muthu Kumar

In the thick of it

I’m one of those people who has always wanted to help people in need but did not know where or how to start. I feel giving up pocket money to a needy cause is the easy way. I’ve always wanted to be out there in the site of a calamity and be with the victims, helping them in some way. I’m sure it would not be an easy task but that would be truly fulfilling and worth it. Shweta C

Child power

My preferred way of volunteering is to teach underprivileged children. Working with them, providing them the additional education that otherwise would be too expensive for them, and shaping their young minds, leaves a greater impact than any supplies or money I could donate to them. The act of volunteering made me feel like I’m doing something for my country and our community. It makes me feel proud. Alia Raazi

Pet love

I volunteer at a local animal shelter. It makes me extremely happy to see a dog or cat get adopted and find a permanent home. They can’t express their concerns owr the pain they’re in, so it makes it even more gratifying to help a helpless animal that has been abandoned or is a stray. Nothing beats the love and loyalty they give in return. Anitha Rajeev