Star of July '08

Hello All,

We are back with the Superstar of July!

Pramod is a very special volunteer who has been volunteering for almost 4 years now!!He is known for his dedication amongst the volunteers.He was the backbone for AWPT NGO.He is a shining star indeed!!Rock on super star!
Pramod has shared with us about his journey,read on.

More soon,
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Team iVolunteer,
Chennai

I started my volunteering activities when I saw an advertisement in a multiplex at Ahmedabad, end of 2004. It was a call for volunteers for an NGO called Volunteer Ahmedabad(VA), I joined them, completely thrilled and excited about it. I soon started associating with various NGOs across the city. I always had passion towards animals, soon I got a call to help AHF (Animal Help Foundation) in their "Help the Birds - Jan 2005" campaign.I volunteered with them and helped them in all possible ways, then I realised that my dreams are becoming true!!!

Oct 05 I changed my job and moved to Chennai. While leaving Ahmedabad, VA gave me the reference of iVolunteer @ Chennai. Soon I met the concerned people at Ivolunteer, registered with IV Chennai. I spent my weekends with NGOs in the city. The bliss dint last for too long, due to my work load, the volunteering activities were almost stopped for a while.

Then I received a mail from iVolunteer asking all old volunteers to join for an event.I replied on the same day,and I am really glad that I did not procastinate the decision.

Let me give you a brief on the NGOs I have been working with over the years.

Animal Welfare and Protection Trust (AWPT): An NGO works for the welfare of the stray dogs and cats. It runs by a couple in their 70s!! I really thank Natasha and iVolunteer for putting me in touch with these wonderful people. With AWPT,I have been associated with their fund raising on a along term basis and some other one off activities that we keep coordinating .

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust (MCBT): - from Jan 2008 Study on reptile behavior and habits. Lend a hand to Animal Keepers for pen cleaning and also help them in food preparation and feeding Turtles Tortoises Crocodiles Snakes etc.I also get to interact with visitors!

Netrodaya-School for the blind – I volunteer here as the ‘collection drive –pick up person’. Collect Old cloths from friends and volunteers and handover the same to the NGO.

Greenpeace-Worked with them on their Campaigns and rallys in Chennai .

After working for long hours /6 days a week, I need to do something very different that will charge me for the week ahead. Volunteering with these NGOs really help me to get refreshed mentally. Yes through iVolunteer only I reached to these NGOs and otherwise my weekends would hav been boring and not of much use.

Almost four years since I have been volunteering, and I have loved every moment of it. There have been times when I had to push myself, but it was all worth it in the end!For all you youngsters out there, I recommend volunteering strongly, for your own good:)

'Take up all your courage and do something your heart tells you to do,so that you may not regret not doing it later in your life.'

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Pramod Ramachandran

iVolunteer,
Chennai