Girls at Protsahan never shy away from a challenge, for their stories always start at extremely complex, difficult points – social rejection and isolation, abuse, discrimination, familial pressures, poverty – but nonetheless, their plot lines are designed to move towards happy endings. For when you’re rewriting your own destiny, with hands held by some of country’s best young people, you are sure to blossom into into some fine young women.
Volunteering at Protsahan makes you responsible for these little authors who are re-writing their own destinies. We are looking for volunteers/ volunteer organizations/ CSR arms of corporates who are skilled at photography, filmmaking, creative arts to come teach Protsahan children and to document Protsahan’s work. You could also support us financially. Financial contributions go a long way to train our girls on citizen media and filmmaking, embroidery and mehndi art and other artistic pursuits which they use to explore their horizons, as well as use these creative forms of expression to empower themselves with a creative skill. Protsahan then gives the children the freedom to make use of these newly learned skills to express themselves. Thus as a volunteer, you become a facilitator to the change the kids want to bring in her own life.
But even as you work on building their self-esteem, IQ, world view and skills, you too will be drawn out of your comfort zone and confront difficult realities, question the notions you hold and be compelled to think out of the box. For instance, Ramit, one of the volunteers, always places himself in their shoes before teaching the kids something and as a result sometimes ends up saying something entirely different from what he originally intended, due to the change in perspective. The best part about being a volunteer however, has to be the sheer warmth you’re greeted with every time you walk into the street school, surrounded by kids who are eager to learn and love you enough to ask when you’ll be coming next.
The freedom that is given to kids at Protsahan also extends to volunteers, who are expected to be as creative as possible, and hey, if you’ve got a crazy idea, pitch it! Moreover, the system is completely transparent, and your efforts will always be recognized (Yes, there will be a letter of recommendation if you want one). The transparency at Protsahan with everyday’s work being shared through their online & digital platforms (Twitter & Facebook) make the process truly engaging!
If you’re a worker bee in the corporate world, take a break from your boss on a weekend and come feed your soul. If you’re a student, get off the couch this summer break and make a change in a life that’ll last forever! For more information, visit https://protsahan.co.in/internships
Young girls at @NGOProtsahan really wish to learn #photography this summer. All cool #photographers, come #volunteer? pic.twitter.com/1WktlcdEjz
— Protsahan India Foundation (@NGOProtsahan) June 10, 2014
Come understand the courage it takes Manisha to raise her arm and volunteer an answer in class, she is the same girl that was denied admission to a government school because they thought her IQ was below par. Come and marvel at Kiran’s confidence, she is the kid who always wanted to learn English, and just last week had addressed a SAARC summit with her views on child marriage. Come and take a privileged look into Fatima’s songbook and quick is she at Abacus calculations, she is the same girl whose family wanted to marry her off at 11. Come and commend Anju for being the most well groomed student, a trait she picked up after grooming sessions at Protsahan and seeing the simple yet neatly dressed volunteer didis and bhaiyas that subtly influenced her!
Come, capture our children’s stories as short films for us. Come, volunteer. Come, teach them things that you know best. If you have knowledge, let them light their candles from it.
Come be part of a story that’s greater than yours alone.
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