MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

A ten das NSS camp was organised by our Carmel school, Erode at Periyachettipalayam village from 29th January to 4th February 2010. This year the theme of this special camp was "Healthy Youth for Healthy India". Twenty five NSS volunteers participated in the camp under the supervision of a programme officer. During the camp various activities like talks related to the theme and other social issues, interaction with the community and an awareness programme were organized in the adopted village. The students planned and conducted activities to make villagers aware of the ways in which they could contribute to the progress of their vilage.

Periyachettipalayam is a small village 5 kms away from Erode town. All volunteers were accomodated in the government school at the village. Initial hardships with respect to accomodation and hygiene brought them together as a united and supportive group.

Volunteers understood the villagers' culture, customs and means of livelihood. They came to know of the social problems that the villagers faced in their day to day life - mlnutrition being the most prominent. Unemployment, child marriage, alchoholism and ignorance were common as well. Corruption and inefficiency prevalent in the government machinery added to their problems. Also, the poor level of education was something to be sympathized with. Thus, the only way by which we could help them lead better lives was to teach the students and create awareness among villagers. While we did this, we too learnt a lot - both from the villagers and from the special programmes that had been organized for us at the camp. It was a reminder for the students that there is still a lot of work to be done to bring the villages of our country on par with the rich cities. The camp was a way of fulfilling our obligation toward society and learning that we can make a difference if we want to.

-Santanu Sasidharan Std.XII, Carmel M.H.S.S, Erode