Adventurous Journey for Specially-Abled Participants

The National Award Authority organised an Adventurous Journey camp for differently-abled participants of Raphael Ryder Cheshire, Dehradun from 2nd to 5th March 2016, under Special Projects. The group comprised 25 differently-abled participants (21 boys and 4 girls); among them were 4 Gold, 4 Silver, and 17 Bronze participants. The group was escorted by two Award Leaders: Madhu Rawat and Kishan Rana who work as Special Educators; five volunteers: Ambika Thapliyal, Ameeta Upreti, Purnima Singh, Vasundhara, Shilpi and two members from support staff. Four specially trained instructors of the Institute of Climbers and Nature Lovers (ICNL) Kolkata led them on their Adventurous Journey. The camp was supervised by Bivujit Mukhoty, Programme Manager, IAYP. Priyank Kumar Gupta (Head IT) also represented the NAA for this adventurous journey during the course.

The first day started with a briefing session about the journey. The instructors explained the importance of safety and helped the participants understand the different equipment. They taught them how to pack their backpacks and other equipment while on their Adventurous Journey. Next, the instructors explained the process for pitching tents and helped the participants perform this activity. The students enjoyed the learning activity. The Instructors demonstrated rappelling and other activities and showed the use of different types of rope knots used during the Adventurous Journey. Participants also performed the single rope bridge. The participants enjoyed their evening full of dance and music.

The next morning, the group started their journey to Inside Passage Camp Site, Maldevta Village, Dehradun by bus. Amit Minocha welcomed the group and arranged the stay for the participants. In the pre-lunch session,the participants performed on the Commando Net; in the post-lunch session the instructors organised adventurous activities like Burma Bridge.The evening was spent playing different games and sports as per their ability.

On the third day, the participants went for Tyrolean Traverse on the river Song. The second half of the day was for a track where they visited a natural cave and explored calcite and stalactite depositions. These participants enjoyed the campfire at night. 

The last day of the camp started with different physical exercises and team building games. After the physical fitness training and a late breakfast the group departed for Raphael Ryder Cheshire, Dehradun.

This Adventurous Journey was full of fun for these participants, helping build their confidence and exposing them to a different environment. The NAA expresses thanks to Inside Passage and ICNL team for providing support and organising this camp. click for pictures

Congratulation Ms Priyo Lall on Receiving The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award 2014

The Award family wishes to congratulate Ms Priyo Lall (YES Centre Manager and Director Special Education, Raphael, Dehra Dun) on receiving The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Sewa Award from the President of India Mr. Pranav Mukherjee on 14th November 2014, for services rendered for the welfare of children.  In pursuance of its policy to support and encourage voluntary action, and in memory of the later Prime Minister, Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India instituted this award in 1994 to honour individuals who make outstanding contributions towards service for children, including children with various kinds of disabilities. The sole basis for selection is the quality of work performed by the individual for the cause of children. Voluntary action has a special place in the nation's effort for promoting the well being of children and the Award seeks to grant recognition for individual excellence in such voluntary services.  We are proud of her association with us.

The story of an extraordinary volunteer

Babar Ali lives in Murshidabad, West Bengal. He attends the Raj Govinda School, a 10km auto-rickshaw ride away.  He is the first person in his family to go to school.  He is 16 years old and he is a model student. But it’s not what he does at school that is so extraordinary.   It’s the volunteering he does when he has left the classroom.

When he gets home at 4 o’clock each day, Babar Ali rings a bell.  At first they came in a trickle, but now 800 children from poor families line up in the yard behind his house, for lessons from Babar Ali and 10 friends from his school.  After singing the National Anthem, the students settle down to their studies.  There is no charge and no trouble.

Babar Ali is called the youngest headteacher in the world.  He knows that without an education these children stand little chance.   He is an extraordinary volunteer.

Embracing Young Volunteers

Volunteering is an integral part of the Award Programme, it is not only an important part for our participants to complete their Awards but also an important factor for smooth running of the programme. Below is an article first published in The Guardian talking about ways to embrace young volunteers.

There has never been a better time for charities to embrace a generation of school-aged volunteers, so why do so many young people and children find it so hard to locate meaningful volunteering opportunities?

Young volunteers have a vast amount to give, and yet a lot of charities are missing out on this vital opportunity, citing a number of common myths surrounding youth volunteering. If charities don't support young volunteers, then we are not safeguarding our own futures by supporting the next generation of volunteers and, more importantly, we're missing out on all the benefits that young volunteers can bring to our organisations.

At the JLGB (Jewish Lads' & Girls' Brigade), we have worked hard to remove barriers to participation for young Jewish people in a whole host of national award schemes, most notably the Duke of Edinburgh Award. As a result, we have seen an enormous increase in participation with 50% of young Jewish people in faith schools now taking part in this award. However, 65% indicated that they required extra support in finding a suitable volunteering placement.

The same topics arise in every discussion of under-16s volunteering: insurance won't cover this age group, young people would need too much training, there's no one to supervise them, or perhaps they've had bad experiences with young volunteers before. Some of these are valid worries, many are urban myths, but more often than not, it's just been easier for many charities to stick to the status quo than tackle the (sometimes remarkably simple) changes that are needed in order to embrace young volunteers.

Of course, many charities lack vital resources and capacity so key to this initiative will be helping more charities to look at their current approaches and understanding of young volunteers. It is encouraging that, with some simple steps, a great amount can be achieved.

A short guide to embracing young volunteers

1. Think about how current voluntary roles might be adapted for a young person

Remember to take in to account commitments that young people might have, for example school work or faith barriers such as not volunteering on the Sabbath. Perhaps it isn't appropriate for young people to work one-to-one with your beneficiaries, but they could always help out under the supervision of a senior volunteer, or even as a small group of young people.

2. Use technology to create new opportunities

Almost all young people are familiar with new technology, software and social media. A huge range of volunteering opportunities can be created easily with this as a springboard, such as getting a young person to manage social media sites, blog regularly or make and edit videos, photos and publicity – all of which can even be done remotely.

3. Don't be put off by tricky stuff like insurance or youth policies

Sometimes, all it takes is a small tweak of your charity's current policy to include under-16s, and if not then perhaps they will be covered by their school or youth group's policy or award scheme. It's also worth identifying charities in your area which you know work with young volunteers and approaching them for advice – vInspired has an exhaustive list of local charities that accept young volunteers.

4. Get young people and staff prepared

By developing training sessions with young people in mind, you can easily cover lots of potential issues, such as confidentiality, what it means to be a responsible volunteer, and what to do if they have any issues. Why not approach your local voluntary youth organization, and see if they run any sort of training for young volunteers? Don't forget to prepare current staff and volunteers for working with young people – sometimes a bad experience with other volunteers can put young people off.

5. Don't forget rewards

Sounds obvious, but we all like to be appreciated. Does your organization have an awards evening in which you could include young people? Could you support a young person's participation in a nationally recognized volunteering award?

6. Shout about it

If we all shout about what we are doing to support young volunteers, it will gradually become more acceptable to include young volunteers, and we can learn from one another's experiences. Use newsletters, social media and local schools or youth groups to publicize your good work – and let's get British charities talking about how we can support a new generation of volunteers.

Gold Award Ceremony 2014

Achieving your Gold Award is really a big step in your young life. It shows that you have the ability, focus and determination achieve. It shows you have done your share to achieve all-round development and at the same time open to learn from what your future has in-store for you. So it’s only right that you get a proper celebration for your achievement. Our Gold Award Ceremony are designed to celebrate this achievement.

We are happy to announce that S. Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, has consented to presenting the Gold Awards to the successful participants at the Annual Gold Award Ceremony on July 7, 2014 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

You can soon expect to receive an invite to GAC 2014 and your presence will make this event worthwhile.

Fell in love with the beautiful game

Ever seen anyone transform from being disconnected with a sport to being a passionate follower of the same game? Here is the story of Udeept Bhatnagar (Gold Award participant) from Delhi Public School Gurgaon, who fell in love with a beautiful game.

The 2006 Football World Cup is the reason for my enthusiasm for the sport, the quarter final between England and Portugal in particular. Mesmerized by Cristiano Ronaldo’s moves and conflicted because of the controversial sending off of Wayne Rooney helped me discover my love of football, even though only eight years old at the time I knew that I had found something I loved. The excitement of watching the players on the pitch hold possession of the ball and threaten to score at any minute found a way into my heart. The International Award for Young People (IAYP) programme gave me the motivation to actually start playing football. I was enthusiastic about the sport but never really played the game, leisure playing with my friends was all the experience that I possessed and the IAYP helped me hone my football skills. 

Once I started playing I started watching matches more critically, I tried to copy them; how they controlled the ball, how they ran with it and how they seemed to know what their team mates would do next. My passion for the game grew stronger after that, and no matter what it is the one thing that I have always found time for. I have represented my school in football on three occasions and I would rate myself as a decent player if not a good one which is a long way from being unknown to the details of the game. All of my waking moments beyond studying are dedicated to the beautiful game, be it on the field, be it on the watching a match or be it on the computer playing FIFA games. The International Award for Young People actually helped me realize my potential as a football player, also showed me why football is such a beautiful game.

The APF Trust and India office

Sue Walker in the South Zone

Asia Pacific Regional Director Sue Walker after having wrapped up a very successful 2009 Regional Training Workshop in New Delhi comprising of eight countries and over 30 participants has now moved on to sustain existing relationships and forge new ones with HSBC India, other schools and colleges. HSBC GR Talent and Recuriting based in Hyderabad has already shown interest in possible programs for skill and physicial activity as a development initiative for their employess. Ms. Walker is now in Chennai.

Good luck to Ms. Walker and Delia. Lets win hearts and bring the world together!