Miss-Delectable
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]http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_labour-of-love-nrgs-and-nris-toil-at-school-for-deaf-and-dumb-in-gujarat_1529372
A bunch of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) toiling hard under the blazing sun at a remote tribal village would be a surprising sight for anyone. But for the 100 students of the deaf and dumb school at Shivarimal - a remote village in the Dangs — it is a regular affair. The reason? Each year many NRIs and NRGs gather at this school and do tedious physical work as charity.
The school, operated by the Manav Kalyan Trust is nearly a second home for many NRIs and NRGs, and the passion exhibited by them is reflected in the tasks they do, which include laying water distribution networks, preparing book-shelves and other furniture, building classrooms, erecting water tanks, landscaping and more. There is another school, for physically challenged children, run by the trust in Eru, Navsari.
"I wanted to do something for the physically challenged students coming from poor section of the society. Via the web, I learnt about the school and decided to come here. What has touched me the most is that the authorities of the trust never demand money. One can stay and work as long as he/she wants," Anil Tailor, an NRG, said.
What is more important for people like Tailor is that they donate their time and work, rather than money. Even if they can't collect funds for the school, they can express their concern for these children through their labour of love. This is which attracts them from all over the world to Shivarimal and to Eru.
Tailor, who has come to India with his niece Trishelle Tailor and friend Victor D'souza, from Leicester in UK, is working on a garden project at Shivarimal. Their friends from Leicester too visited the school a month back, where they set up small benches and fountains.
During their stay, foreigners do humanitarian work and teach students. And this goes on round the year, with groups of NRIs and NRGs visiting both the schools at different intervals. Interestingly, the boarding and lodging of all foreign guests is taken care of by the trust. "It is amazing to work for a cause. My entire experience while being here has been unimaginable and unforgettable. I can never forget the smiles on the faces of the children," 21-year-old Trishelle said. She made her up mind to visit the school, for the first time, on learning of the purpose of her uncle's journey.
"On the spot I decided to pay a visit, even taking an emergency visa, and I would very much like to visit the school again in the near future," Trishelle added. Other groups which have visited the school in the past month include 'Everything is Possible', students from Mirfield High School and a group from Yorkshire.
Mahesh Kothari, founder president of Manav Kalyan Trust said the NRIs and especially the NRGs get very influenced by their work. While some are moved to offering their services, a few go on to raising funds. For instance, Tailor donated Rs2 lakh while another from US donated US$2500.
"Those who come here have the passion for community service. Very selflessly, they travel all over India and do whatever they can. I don't have the words to thank them," Kothari said.
A bunch of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) toiling hard under the blazing sun at a remote tribal village would be a surprising sight for anyone. But for the 100 students of the deaf and dumb school at Shivarimal - a remote village in the Dangs — it is a regular affair. The reason? Each year many NRIs and NRGs gather at this school and do tedious physical work as charity.
The school, operated by the Manav Kalyan Trust is nearly a second home for many NRIs and NRGs, and the passion exhibited by them is reflected in the tasks they do, which include laying water distribution networks, preparing book-shelves and other furniture, building classrooms, erecting water tanks, landscaping and more. There is another school, for physically challenged children, run by the trust in Eru, Navsari.
"I wanted to do something for the physically challenged students coming from poor section of the society. Via the web, I learnt about the school and decided to come here. What has touched me the most is that the authorities of the trust never demand money. One can stay and work as long as he/she wants," Anil Tailor, an NRG, said.
What is more important for people like Tailor is that they donate their time and work, rather than money. Even if they can't collect funds for the school, they can express their concern for these children through their labour of love. This is which attracts them from all over the world to Shivarimal and to Eru.
Tailor, who has come to India with his niece Trishelle Tailor and friend Victor D'souza, from Leicester in UK, is working on a garden project at Shivarimal. Their friends from Leicester too visited the school a month back, where they set up small benches and fountains.
During their stay, foreigners do humanitarian work and teach students. And this goes on round the year, with groups of NRIs and NRGs visiting both the schools at different intervals. Interestingly, the boarding and lodging of all foreign guests is taken care of by the trust. "It is amazing to work for a cause. My entire experience while being here has been unimaginable and unforgettable. I can never forget the smiles on the faces of the children," 21-year-old Trishelle said. She made her up mind to visit the school, for the first time, on learning of the purpose of her uncle's journey.
"On the spot I decided to pay a visit, even taking an emergency visa, and I would very much like to visit the school again in the near future," Trishelle added. Other groups which have visited the school in the past month include 'Everything is Possible', students from Mirfield High School and a group from Yorkshire.
Mahesh Kothari, founder president of Manav Kalyan Trust said the NRIs and especially the NRGs get very influenced by their work. While some are moved to offering their services, a few go on to raising funds. For instance, Tailor donated Rs2 lakh while another from US donated US$2500.
"Those who come here have the passion for community service. Very selflessly, they travel all over India and do whatever they can. I don't have the words to thank them," Kothari said.