Transform Outcomes for Children at Risk In India

With Christmas and New Year celebrations reaching a fag end, one can expect people to still gloomily reel under the after effects of the Yuletide cheer. For us in MAD, however, this time of the year holds nothing but boundless joy and celebrations as ‘tis the season for Dream Camps!

Dream Camp is an outbound experiential camp that help children dream about their future goals and understand what it takes to achieve those dreams. This understanding is facilitated through personal discovery, exploring new talents by challenging themselves and taking responsibility of their actions for the duration of the camp. This year, the motto of the camp is “Future is Bright”.

As kids we had a free imagination, unbridled by any worry or care. This imagination was stimulated by the books we read, the teachers we had, our parents and guardians, family. We cannot say the same about a MAD child- a child who spends a large part of their life either inside the four walls of the shelter home or their schools, a child who lives a life limited by the society, or worse, themselves.

These camps are, thus, MAD’s way of driving self motivation and self confidence by helping these children dream, exposing them to new experiences and providing a holiday experience. By motivating these children through various activities and sessions held by field experts invited to the camp, the organisation hopes to connect these children to their ‘dreams’ and thereby, ensure better life outcomes for them in the long run.

Here’s how one volunteer from Hyderabad recounts his no less than magical camp experience,

“Hi, I am Manav and I am a MADster. This is the story of a pint-sized whiz kid, Arun from our shelter home,with brains that can boggle you.

Every year we take these amazing kids to ‘Dream Camp’, a three day outbound, where we teach them life skills and Arun was also there, along with dozens of other kids, eager to learn something new. Now probably I should mention that I am one of those eccentric types who loves puzzles and is a Rubik’s cube maniac. I carry that cube everywhere I go and it was there with me at that Dream Camp as well. The cube caught the attention of many kids at the camp, but it especially awakened the inquisitiveness of Arun. For those two days, he followed me around wherever I went, to learn the algorithm that solves the ever alluring cube. Due to some reason or the other, I couldn’t get a chance to hand him the cube, so explained to him the algorithm verbally. By the second day, he had perfected the algorithm mentally without actually practicing on the cube itself! That evening I finally gave him the cube. He stayed up all night practicing and when the morning came, there he was, with the cube in his hand and a smile on his face from winning over the cube.”

To make these camps a reality and to ensure the smooth flow of our various projects, MAD has largely espoused a community fundraising model whereby our volunteers come together to raise funds, while also at the same time engage the community to connect it back to the child at a shelter. At MAD we believe that fundraising is not just about crunching numbers, but also about indeterminate strength, passion and rigour- qualities which we have seen being exemplified by our volunteers time and again. Here is one such inspiring story that we got to hear from Mumbai,

You can take the MADster out of MAD, but not the MADness out of the MADster.

From Sneha Sadan in Mumbai, Ajay Soham went on to join in the service of our nation as the Indian Air Force. For his training he had to go to the US with his batch mates. Known to be ‘Mr Reliable of MAD Mumbai’ due to his eagerness to substitute for classes, he had heard about the MAD CFR through his old MADster friends.

Not only did he spread the word amongst his batch mates, he convinced the entire team to donate their Christmas bonus of 200$ (12k INR) each towards the cause.

True patriotism is about being there for your fellow and future citizens at all times. And people like Ajay Soham are examples of sheer bravery, selfless love and valour!

Alongside the adrenaline rush the camps and fundraising invite us to feel, we continue to maintain the calm and patience that our children require from us at every step. The incredible heights children can scale if only we place the right amount of faith and trust in them is fairly evident in a story a volunteer shared-a story about a recent experience of taking her children for a MUN event where they participated as delegates. Here’s what she had to say,

“Starting from the moment you become a mentor, you devote your life completely to another human being; someone who you will love and cherish for the rest of your life.  You start becoming the person your child needs you to be. You realise the magnanimity of your role in shaping their personality. That day will come soon. It did for me.

I sat at the last bench during “HLCC MUN” in a room full of delegates who had twice the experience and age of our lads. I sat biting my nails mentally considering various solutions for the different problems which might arise during two days. However, I realised that I had nothing to worry about.

I wanted to stand between any obstacles that they might face; protect them. However, the kids needed nothing but a chance to express their opinions: they were sure that nothing could possibly go wrong, because we (the mentors) would always have their back.

All the girls registered their names when the first speakers’ list for Day 1 was announced. I was extremely excited as their chance to speak approached. The discussion began smoothly, and as it turned towards Caste and Religion based politics in the country, it was evident that the kids understood the government’s tactics and behaviour. There is nothing comparable to the moment when you see that your child is not intimidated anymore despite being in a room full of people staring and challenging the kid. The event took shape of a dream come true for all the mentors: be it a witty response of a 7th grader when asked time and again if he was understanding the system to an amazing solution on the sensitive topic of beef ban given by the girl you once thought to be reserved.

The children were learning to stand up for themselves.  The event served as a growth index for both the mentors and the children. If a national event can be prepared for at such short notice, imagine the kind of work that could be delivered if they had more time. I can see them as future ministers, Members of Parliament or maybe the president of the country someday. I see them as the leaders, meant to guide us on the path of justice and equality. Those sparkling eyes could turn the vision of the country by 360 degrees.

No dream is too big, no dreamer too small...”

Indeed, we feel strongly that the future IS bright!