“Community engagement opened my heart to new connections and the joy of giving back”
I was honored to connect and converse with Ms. Rachna Singh, CEO and Founder of the Womenablers Foundation. This interaction was a turning point for me in understanding community engagement. The idea of community work was more of abstract before this; but hearing Ms. Singh speak about how she started and all the challenges she faced brought those concepts close to life. She talked about how she got into this, and she had developed the passion gradually. It really impressed me, because this story was not just inspiring but a reminder of never too late to start something meaningful. Hearing her tales opened my eyes to real community engagement. It was wonderful to hear how she integrated challenges and opportunities; by inspiring me to think how I, too, could make an impact in the community. Her words ignited a far greater desire to be actively engaged, and I walked out with a more profound commitment to experience community engagement. From deep of my heart, this journey was not on the basis of merely giving back, but about transformation for oneself.
I got an opportunity to visit Lotus Petal Foundation, it left a lasting impression on me. Meeting the CEO, Mr. Kushal Chakravorty, even briefly, was truly inspiring—his dedication to transforming lives through the NGO is remarkable. The school had such a warm and positive vibe, with children playing happily on the grounds, far beyond what I had imagined.
I was assigned to work with third-graders, and my time with them was truly special. The idea of interacting with children at an NGO and teaching them dance or yoga—both of which I’m still learning myself—has been exciting, terrifying, and I was pervaded with millions of doubts. What if they didn’t like me? What would connect me to them? But when it came down to it, everything flowed so naturally-for it seemed that I had been doing this all my life. Their laughter, curiosity, and open communication washed away any remnants of doubt. In both sessions, we sat in a circle, where I listened to their feedback while one of the girls braided my hair and others shared their stories. During the second session, we did yoga, and the kids gave me such a hard time with their giggles and playful comments. One boy even told me my poses were too easy, which made me laugh as I told him, “This is as flexible as I get!” Their energy was contagious, and we built such a strong bond that I already miss them.
The staff was also incredibly kind and welcoming. Talking to the kitchen manager about how the meals are prepared was fascinating. He explained how the kitchen infrastructure ensures fresh, healthy meals like khichdi while reducing waste, which amazed me. When I got back from school, I couldn’t stop talking about my visit. It somehow went beyond just an experience – it was almost an adventure drawn with connotations of fun and learning. These moments will be cherished forever.
Indeed, the moments I spent there were very special, what really made it special was being honored by the organization on the occasion of National Volunteers Day for my endeavors. When I came to know that I was going to receive the award, I was truly surprised and gratified. At that moment, I understood that it wasn’t just me who loved spending time there, they also valued my presence.
