TANVI PS joins MADsters, a.k.a volunteers of the NGO Make a Difference at Ooty for a Dream Camp
The bustle of school-going boys - as they alight from buses and the frenzy of mentors who race against time to keep up with the kids - might mislead an onlooker into thinking that this was “just another camp for children”. But the three-day Dream Camp run by the NGO Make A Difference’s (MAD), however, was much more.
The idea of a Dream Camp began in 2009, says Nivethika Sundarajan of MAD, as a way to introduce children growing up in shelters to various aspects of the outside world.
In their interactions with the kids, they incorporated sessions that helped the kids appreciate themselves, reflect on their struggles and achievements and think about the future. Through the Arts Challenge programme, they got the kids to talks about problems of today’s society and develop short-term and long-term solutions that were then presented through drama, singing, etc.
The kids of MAD’s Coimbatore chapter are sheltered at the three homes the NGO volunteers at - Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Sungam; Sadguru Sevashram, R.S.Puram; and Sarvajana Public School Boys Hostel. The camp had an interesting line-up of sessions ranging from cooking classes to treasure hunts. At the ‘Cook without fire’ session, the students came up with innovative dishes like the astoundingly tasty jam-bhelpuri sandwich and a refreshing coriander-onion- chaat masala energy drink.
The kids had great fun completing tasks during the treasure hunt with their mentors, most of whom are college students or young working adults. They built castles and even an APJ Abdul Kalam rocket memorial site using just paper and cello tape.
The team from Coimbatore worked for more than a month to put together an agenda that the kids would enjoy. “Our team asked the children for ideas and suggestions,” says Florica Prabu, The Sessions Team Lead for Dream Camp 2016, Coimbatore. “Some wanted to paint, others wanted sports, so we allotted three hours for them to choose between glass painting, handball/football, or even just relaxing and watching television in their rooms. Most kids, however, made full use of the three hours and managed to find time to do all three.”
The camp also helped the kids learn the importance of team spirit and to express their talents. “We grouped 10 kids and volunteers who are not familiar with each other so that they would learn to work as a team during the treasure hunt. We also had a Talent Night to bring out their creativity and individuality,” said Florica.
Make A Difference is an NGO that empowers children living in orphanages and street shelters to discover their strength and unleash their potential. To know more, log onto www.makeadiff.in
The camp also helped the kids learn the importance of team spirit and to express their talents.