Volunteers observe International Day of Service, reach out to children in city

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 4:

On the occasion of the International Day of Service (IDOS) hundreds of young volunteers in Odisha’s capital city held workshops and interaction sessions with children at eleven places including Mangala Basti which was devastated by a massive fire that left a person dead and gutted 70 homes two days ago.

The workshops and interactions were held at Sikharchandi, Niladri Vihar, Kalpana Medical and Telugu bastis, Mahisikhala basti, Bharatpur A, B & C, Salia Sahi, Hari Nagar and culminated in Mangala Basti in Unit-IV where
volunteers conducted a psycho-social counselling for children and adults with a view to lessen the trauma that has gripped them following the devastating fire.

The International Day of Service (IDOS) is being celebrated across three countries India, Estonia and USA to celebrate the spirit of service and volunteering. In India, Bakul Foundation in collaboration with the national campaign Humara Bachpan, which works for 7.6 million children growing up in urban poverty came together to celebrate it in 22 cities, with 500 dedicated volunteers.

“Children are often neglected and invisible when it comes to developmental policies and schemes of the government. But, they are the ones who are vulnerable in the societal set-up. It’s time that our society and policy makers take cognizance of children as an important stakeholder in the change process. Therefore, on the International Day of Service, we have people coming from different domains to volunteer and reflect on the need of healthy living conditions for a child growing up in urban poverty” said Sradhanjali Sahu, East Zone Coordinator, Humara Bachpan Campaign.

“IDOS is observed across the world to celebrate the spirit of service and volunteering, and was created for the first time in 2011 by volunteers with Bakul Foundation taking the lead with VOLiNTEER and Meridian. This year, 2014, the Humara Bachpan Campaign is partnering with Bakul in organizing IDOS” said Sujit Mahapatra,Bakul Foundation.