My enriching journey as a volunteer - Sudipta Ghosh
Going the distance
It has been four years since the pandemic struck us. Those times were one of the toughest situations the world has had to face, without a doubt. However, I feel, while we stayed stuck behind closed doors, it was an opportunity for us to open our minds. It was during this difficult time that I felt the urge to volunteer my time, skills and expertise by lending a helping hand to those not as fortunate as me.
With the help of the PwC India Foundation, I reached out to an orphanage, located in one of the remotest districts of Maharashtra, Nandurbar. This orphanage was home to schoolgirls (Class 2 till 12), all from various backgrounds and circumstances, some orphaned, some abandoned. Based on their needs and requirements, it was decided that two-three instructors from PwC would conduct online sessions with these students once a week covering specific courses designed to groom them from an employment perspective. These included skills such as speaking fluent English, time management and building their self-confidence. I, along with other PwCites, volunteered for this initiative.
Making strides
I was extremely keen to interact with these students and was motivated by their enthusiasm as well. After almost a year of taking these sessions and not missing even a single call, I received a call one day from the then West Regional Managing Partner Russell Parera who presented me with the opportunity to take up the responsibility of the CSR oversight partner for the West from Former Partner Tapan Ray who was due to retire. This came as a big surprise to me, but I took it up wholeheartedly. Almost four years since, my passion for volunteering and giving back has only grown. During this time, I have made it a point to personally visit and spend at least two-three days in the remotest districts, be it Nandurbar, Latur, Osmanabad, or other places near Mumbai.
Gathering momentum
Being near the people staying in these remote areas has been nothing short of a revelation. I have seen first-hand the hardships and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis. These communities can take nothing for granted -- food, shelter or anything else. I stayed with a few villagers for a night or two and began sharing a travel log of my experiences. I was also humbled and happy to see many more of my Partner colleagues joining me on these visits - Kunal Patil, Subhash Patil, Ajay Deshmukh etc to name a few. Some of their team members pitched in too, adding more wisdom, knowledge and capabilities to these initiatives – leading to better on-ground outcomes.
What makes volunteering a rewarding experience
Being actively involved with our communities has made me realise that while donating funds helps those in need, however, there is more ground that is covered when we are directly involved. What is difficult is to have patience and persevere to see the fruits of your efforts – and here is where I’d like to share a few success stories. There was a girl from the orphanage that I had been interacting with since she was very young. I was elated to watch her complete her Class 12 and get admission to a good college. There was another boy from the nomadic tribes of Aurangabad, not older than 12 or 13. Nomadic tribes don't have shelter or food - there’s not much, particularly for the children. But I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that he had the ambition to appear for IIT JEE because he was determined to qualify. Him having that aspiration is rewarding enough for all of us working with the Foundation. Watching these children succeed is possibly the greatest joy, and it is what keeps us motivated to keep giving.
How you can get involved!
Passion is what drives us to go the extra mile and give back to the community. Without passion, you will not make the time. My simple philosophy is that time is limited for all of us. It is about having the right priorities in place. So, if we prioritise something as important, we will make the time for it. I always encourage volunteers to never give up on family time – instead get your family along! It will serve the twin purpose of spending the time with your loved ones while giving them a very different and unique experience. It has been a fantastic journey so far and I wish to see more and more people spending some of their time and to continue to make a difference, wherever possible.
