CRY Volunteers North

Surbhi Pandey a intern with the Volunteer Action Team recounts her experience of organizing her first IVD at CRY Leaving Lucknow and coming to intern in Delhi was a personal milestone for me. Leaving home in the middle of the academic year, I was already quite anxious. My fears were exacerbated by the fact that my first internship would be with one of the largest national NGOs in India. This being my first experience of working in a formal setting, I initially felt a little disconnected with the organization (as this was very different from any space I had been at, before).  However as the first week passed, I had assimilated and embraced the open office atmosphere and was already assigned numerous tasks in preparation for the much anticipated ‘International Volunteers Day’ (IVD).  The office was buzzing with excitement for ‘IVD’.  The idea that an organization was taking out one whole day, to celebrate the spirit of volunteering and to thank it’s volun...

We are often so content and engrossed in our own lives that we fail to notice the cruel reality of life! Have you ever thought of stepping outside your comfort zone and see things that otherwise go unnoticed? You and I have all the luxuries we need, but what about the children who do not even have the basic necessities to live a normal life? Do they not have the right to have a happy childhood? Or is their life any less valuable than ours? Does any one of us have to right to take away their innocence? All these thoughts had been haunting me from quite some time and that’s when I decided to work with an NGO that supports and protects children from being exploited; and what could be better than CRY for this cause. I started my journey with CRY on 1 st June 2011 . I was all set to work for this cause, but I was absolutely clueless about how things will go. I believe that every human is valuable, and doesn’t deserve to be mistreated, be it a child yet to be born! CRY is an organization...

We are often so content and engrossed in our own lives that we fail to notice the cruel reality of life! Have you ever thought of stepping outside your comfort zone and see things that otherwise go unnoticed? You and I have all the luxuries we need, but what about the children who do not even have the basic necessities to live a normal life? Do they not have the right to have a happy childhood? Or is their life any less valuable than ours? Does any one of us have to right to take away their innocence? All these thoughts had been haunting me from quite some time and that’s when I decided to work with an NGO that supports and protects children from being exploited; and what could be better than CRY for this cause. I started my journey with CRY on 1 st June 2011 . I was all set to work for this cause, but I was absolutely clueless about how things will go. I believe that every human is valuable, and doesn’t deserve to be mistreated, be it a child yet to be born! CRY is an organi...

Image: Amit Vashisth With the mercury rising to 42⁰C, the drive from Delhi to Noida is never a pleasant ride. There I was in my crisp, ironed white shirt and neat trousers heading to office through the endless traffic in my air conditioned car. A light knock at my car window, woke me from my silent reverie about the approaching meetings and deadlines, and there was just another familiar sight. A girl, about 10 years old, in ragged and tattered clothes, was selling ‘Facial Tissues’ to people belonging to the ‘other world’- a world which promises of new possibilities, hope and a bright future unlike her own. I quietly, yet hesitantly handed over a note of Rs10 and took a packet of tissues as she happily moved over to the next car in an attempt to sell her next packet. The issue of child labor never fails to stir a few thoughts in my mind. When I see these children in the streets – one part of me thinks that perhaps buying a few odd things from them, some of which costs less than that of ...

Image: Amit Vashisth With the mercury rising to 42⁰C, the drive from Delhi to Noida is never a pleasant ride. There I was in my crisp, ironed white shirt and neat trousers heading to office through the endless traffic in my air conditioned car. A light knock at my car window, woke me from my silent reverie about the approaching meetings and deadlines, and there was just another familiar sight. A girl, about 10 years old, in ragged and tattered clothes, was selling ‘Facial Tissues’ to people belonging to the ‘other world’- a world which promises of new possibilities, hope and a bright future unlike her own. I quietly, yet hesitantly handed over a note of Rs10 and took a packet of tissues as she happily moved over to the next car in an attempt to sell her next packet. The issue of child labor never fails to stir a few thoughts in my mind. When I see these children in the streets – one part of me thinks that perhaps buying a few odd things from them, some of which costs less than...

Image: Abhirup Tomorrow is going to be a big day for Kajal, Kavita, Sumit, Shiva and their 4 friends who will finally be able to enroll themselves in a school. I along with my fellow volunteers at CRY will be getting them admitted to the Khezarabad MCD School. Today when I went to the community at Taimoor Nagar to enlist the names of the children who have not yet been admitted to any primary school, I saw a number of them playing in the narrow lanes of the unregistered slum. These were supposed to be the school hours for most children of their age. I realized that this task was almost done for me. But to my surprise or dismay I was told that not even one of them needed an admission. In fact all of them were already enrolled. Somebody there told me that most of them there couldn’t even spell or write their name properly. Just then I remembered something similar which I had witnessed earlier, my perception for which had totally changed after I saw this. I was however able to list out the...

Image: Abhirup Tomorrow is going to be a big day for Kajal, Kavita, Sumit, Shiva and their 4 friends who will finally be able to enroll themselves in a school. I along with my fellow volunteers at CRY will be getting them admitted to the Khezarabad MCD School. Today when I went to the community at Taimoor Nagar to enlist the names of the children who have not yet been admitted to any primary school, I saw a number of them playing in the narrow lanes of the unregistered slum. These were supposed to be the school hours for most children of their age. I realized that this task was almost done for me. But to my surprise or dismay I was told that not even one of them needed an admission. In fact all of them were already enrolled. Somebody there told me that most of them there couldn’t even spell or write their name properly. Just then I remembered something similar which I had witnessed earlier, my perception for which had totally changed after I saw this. I was however able to list ...

The eagle with its infinite span of wings, is unable to fly again The trauma of leaving the homeland continues to haunt ... -          Rajender Krishan   These lines from the poem ‘Migratory Birds’ by Rajendra Krishan reflect the pain of migration and the agony of leaving behind one’s homeland. My internship in CRY spanned over 8 weeks during which I did a project on the impact of migration on the workers who have migrated to Delhi for the commonwealth games constructions. The project was challenging and interesting at the same time. My mentor, Smita Sinha was very supportive of the whole project. Her insights into different matters were very helpful. Also, Leena Madam’s information on various events concerning the project was extremely useful. At many junctions through this project, I have learnt new things and unlearnt some old ideas. Being a graduate in economics, I have studied different theories on rural-urban migrati...

I started volunteering with CRY about one month ago, and it's opened my eyes aplenty already. I've been working with the Volunteer Action team here in Delhi and I've met several other volunteers who initiated or started various public action groups at CRY . I am impressed. I am impressed that at relatively little financial cost to an NGO, people are making a difference. I am impressed that there actually are plenty of us that want to make a difference. I am impressed that CRY never turns volunteers away but instead utilizes their passion and skills to do good. I went to an MCD primary school where a group of volunteers in partnership with the Principal of the school have really turned things around: there was no sweeper in the school because the MCD had not employed one - children were trying to keep the school clean themselves instead of studying. There is  now a sweeper, thanks to the Principal and the volunteers,  There also weren't enough teachers at this school (t...

I started volunteering with CRY about one month ago, and it's opened my eyes aplenty already. I've been working with the Volunteer Action team here in Delhi and I've met several other volunteers who initiated or started various public action groups at CRY . I am impressed. I am impressed that at relatively little financial cost to an NGO, people are making a difference. I am impressed that there actually are plenty of us that want to make a difference. I am impressed that CRY never turns volunteers away but instead utilizes their passion and skills to do good. I went to an MCD primary school where a group of volunteers in partnership with the Principal of the school have really turned things around: there was no sweeper in the school because the MCD had not employed one - children were trying to keep the school clean themselves instead of studying. There is  now a sweeper, thanks to the Principal and the volunteers,  There also weren't enough teachers at this school...

My internship at CRY was something which can be referred to as a perfectly proper and professional experience. The butterflies hovering inside my stomach before joining CRY , thinking about what exactly is going to happen and what all work I will be told to do, flew away exactly after my orientation session taken up by my mentor, Ms. Leena Prasad I was assigned to make a photo feature in terms of Right to Education Act and its impact on Delhi’s slum children. My excitement almost touched the sky after hearing that I have to go to the various CRY supported slum areas and click pictures. What could be more exciting than this? But all the differences in my own thought process rushed in as soon as I visited the areas to click pictures. I wonder what could be the reason which brings such a lot of differences and inequality in our society. Children not going to school and those who are going to school are equally in a bad shape as they are being subjected to differences in terms of gender...

My internship at CRY was something which can be referred to as a perfectly proper and professional experience. The butterflies hovering inside my stomach before joining CRY , thinking about what exactly is going to happen and what all work I will be told to do, flew away exactly after my orientation session taken up by my mentor, Ms. Leena Prasad I was assigned to make a photo feature in terms of Right to Education Act and its impact on Delhi’s slum children. My excitement almost touched the sky after hearing that I have to go to the various CRY supported slum areas and click pictures. What could be more exciting than this? But all the differences in my own thought process rushed in as soon as I visited the areas to click pictures. I wonder what could be the reason which brings such a lot of differences and inequality in our society. Children not going to school and those who are going to school are equally in a bad shape as they are being subjected to differences in terms ...

At times, a small incident, a 5 second conversation, an 8 yr old child can make you realise the harsh realities of life. While interacting with the Children at the Taimoor nagar slum area, I was still unaware, untouched by the truth…until I met her. A small girl peeped at me while she helped her mother make rotis. My eyes caught her. I went inside; her mother smiled at me and offered rotis. “I am full, Kaki!” I replied. As her mother went inside, in an attempt to have knowledge about what future the girl dreams for, I asked the girl, “So, u tell me, what is the one thing that you would like to change in your life?”  The Girl stared at me for some time and then replied, “I would exchange my parents with yours, and then I would have everything that you have!” Her answer just shot back at me like a bullet. I stood up and left the place.  Photograph by Madhureema Sen at Taimoor Nagar slum area Her words left me wondering. Is it really my credit that I am now a PG student doing my ...

At times, a small incident, a 5 second conversation, an 8 yr old child can make you realise the harsh realities of life. While interacting with the Children at the Taimoor nagar slum area, I was still unaware, untouched by the truth…until I met her. A small girl peeped at me while she helped her mother make rotis. My eyes caught her. I went inside; her mother smiled at me and offered rotis. “I am full, Kaki!” I replied. As her mother went inside, in an attempt to have knowledge about what future the girl dreams for, I asked the girl, “So, u tell me, what is the one thing that you would like to change in your life?”  The Girl stared at me for some time and then replied, “I would exchange my parents with yours, and then I would have everything that you have!” Her answer just shot back at me like a bullet. I stood up and left the place.  Photograph by Madhureema Sen at Taimoor Nagar slum area Her words left me wondering. Is it really my credit that I am now a PG ...

Today, while discussing the works of Jawahar Lal Nehru and Monica Ali with my friend over a cuppa at the Oxford Book Store, epiphany struck me... That I was only among a smattering percentage of India's vast demography who had been to a high school and would be successfully completing her junior college ( graduation)... About 60% of girls my age in the country would have dropped out of college till now, would be married, raising kids and doomed forever to live a life of diffidence, impoverishment and ignorance. The boys would be working as cheap labour for factories, as domestic workers, as roadside beggars or worse still, as pimps and drug dealers... Sadly, education like most of the basic things in the country, is still not egalitarian. Though the middle class and the upper class is well educated, education in the proletariat is still elusive. The blame game names corrupt politicians, inefficient governments, inactive government teachers and also, the slimy and ugly working class...

Today, while discussing the works of Jawahar Lal Nehru and Monica Ali with my friend over a cuppa at the Oxford Book Store, epiphany struck me... That I was only among a smattering percentage of India's vast demography who had been to a high school and would be successfully completing her junior college ( graduation)... About 60% of girls my age in the country would have dropped out of college till now, would be married, raising kids and doomed forever to live a life of diffidence, impoverishment and ignorance. The boys would be working as cheap labour for factories, as domestic workers, as roadside beggars or worse still, as pimps and drug dealers... Sadly, education like most of the basic things in the country, is still not egalitarian. Though the middle class and the upper class is well educated, education in the proletariat is still elusive. The blame game names corrupt politicians, inefficient governments, inactive government teachers and also, the slimy and ugly working clas...