“Amar Seva Sangam is an organization that makes a profound difference in the lives of many differently abled children and youth, and I was fortunate enough to be welcomed so warmly and openly into their lives of determination and enthusiasm.
The children at Amar Seva Sangam are truly the embodiment of courage and optimism. Compared to these children, we live such privileged lives, and yet do not hesitate to grumble about our trivial problems. The children at the Sangam may not have luxuries, but are truly hopeful and positive about their lives. They genuinely believe in themselves; that they can achieve anything they want if they work at it, which is more than I can say for most people I know. This is all thanks to the kind of empowerment that Amar Seva Sangam fosters, as self-reliance and confidence are built into every activity the children take part in.
My time at the Sangam was spent in many of the various facilities and programs it offers, including the Physiotherapy Centre, the Spinal Cord Injury Centre, the SRBC Special Education school, as well as field visits with the Village Based Rehabilitation program, but the most memorable and enjoyable times were spent playing and interacting with the children of Amar Seva Sangam.
Bonding with these kids is an experience I will never forget, because they taught me what it really means to be brave and overcome real challenges on a daily basis, while still remaining enthusiastic about life. I will never forget the warm welcomes, daily enthusiastic greetings (â€Good Morning M’am, have you eaten?’ is my favourite), and the many memorable moments I spent with these children. Whether it was teaching them English, or playing chess and carom with the kids (and losing badly every time), or playing my first game of cricket with the older boys, I will always cherish the time I spent at Sangam. They are more than an inspiration; these kids are role models for how we should all live our lives – with confidence and hope. Spending a month with these real-life heroes meant more to me than I can put into words, and I am already looking to plan my next trip back to Amar Seva Sangam.”
