Volunteer: Is it a mind-game?

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A very common notion around volunteering is that it is about helping others and to ease guilty feelings. It is thought of as ‘more privileged’ people giving to those who are ‘less able’. Our brains are trained to measure everything based on something that is tangible or quantitative. We quantify privileges or abilities also in similar fashion. For example, we measure physical strength by appearance; we estimate the level of education or intellect through degrees/diplomas. The mind is also efficient and inclined in estimating financial strength of a person through visually available signs. To summarize, we are programmed to define ‘more able’ in a limited way. The intangible benefits or strengths which we lack lie in the blind spot zone. We create a self appealing picture to protect our illusive ‘more privileged’ image of ourselves and assume we are positioned to help others. 

After volunteering we feel good which might be due to the heightened feeling of self-worth or self-power associated with this act of ‘giving’. But we turn a blind eye to the ‘taking’ involved in the process. Volunteering is not just about helping others, it’s about helping oneself. There is a lot more one is left with while volunteering than what one gives during the experience. Everyone needs help, everyone needs a volunteer. 

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With the advent in technology, it’s even simpler to volunteer, by volunteering online. A few take-away from volunteering – 

• A unique experience
• Understanding of social, economic and legal factors
• Connections across the globe with volunteering network’s
• Learning new skills
• Knowing yourself better

Volunteer

On

Line for

Understanding socioeconomic factors

New experiences

Teaming up at volunteer social network’s

Empowering yourself and others

Engaging others

Re-inventing yourself

Volunteer not just for others, volunteer and do something for yourself.

~ Ashpreet Dhillon

Make a Difference… @ Colorss Foundation

Make a Difference…

LIFE is a prism, with colors permeated

prismatic is our world, with everything satiated.

fortunate are we with a life complete,

different from those who are incomplete.

They survive with everything limited,

having no land and shelter.

starving are they for a nibble,

surmising a miracle, that shall alter.

Tits and bits and shattered within,

are the kids with nothing to behold.

school bag is what we get,

"pick rags" is what they are told.

Taking a plunge is in our hands,

making their lives prismatic.

colors and happiness everywhere,

with a mere initiative and a stand.

Make a difference, and see what you feel,

giving a hand and making them smile.

contentment shall surround you,

blissful you will be,

Fortunate is what now they can be,

for the completeness can be shared.

no one is incomplete now,

no one is bared.

Akshita Makin 

The Colorss Foundation invites people to take initiative and volunteer and work for the organisation. Because making their lives COLORFUL is in our hands..

Follow the links below to know more about the organization!!

Colorss website

Colorss on Facebook

Colorss on Twitter

Volunteering at Colorss

Volunteers are the constant support to Colorss. But, what exactly are the volunteers doing? How are they doing it? and why are they doing it! These are all those infinite questions that many people think about or ask.  Well,  it's better that we hear the volunteers sharing their experiences! It gives more clarity to the subject 'volunteering' and the 'content' of joy felt by them.

This video would also help all those new volunteers/interns who are planning to support Colorss. Watch this video wherein our volunteers are sharing themselves.  As Colorss continues to make great strides on the social front, let’s take a vow to contribute in whatsoever manner possible to reach out to people in our communities and societies to enhance, empower and energize them.

"If you want love or if you want to give back love”, then you are all set to join the social bandwagon!

We are always there to answer your questions – we are here to make things simple.  Are you joining us! Why don’t you share us – it’s also a great volunteering service you can do! Well the choice is absolutely yours!

For Love,
Anand

Adding a Little “Color” to my life!!!! - Sundar Sarma | Colorss Foundation

Adding a Little “Color” to my life!!!!

It was September of 2012 that I met this old friend of mine, by sheer chance, after a long gap of close to 12 years and boy it did turn out to be the best catch up sessions I have had in years. Before you jump the gun, No – it was not that we were the best of friends or were inseparable when we were in touch in the nineties, but yes – our association was definitely way better than those of preferred acquaintances. So it was not about discussing those lovely summers that we spent playing together, but more about some wonderful things that he has been doing over the past few years. It was about COLORSS, the organization or should I say the institution that he founded in 2008 and the tireless efforts that he and his team have been putting in to get it where it is today. This was the same time when most of us, in the same group as teenagers in the nineties, were busy raking in the moolah for ourselves somewhere out there in the marketplace. Not that I am feeling bad about what I did and achieved over the years, but I am definitely happier and filled with a sense of pride at what Anand Koti, this friend of mine dared to do - give up a corporate career and set up Colorss – the foundation.

A rose for Sundar Sarma @ vocational training program #Baroda

With a central idea that children are indeed the colors in our life and recognizing the fact that not all these colors are as bright and impactful as they need to be, he set out with his dynamic team to ensure that they help rediscover the radiance of the “colors” lost in the cloud of economic and social hopelessness. Their simple idea, as I was able to understand, was to empower these socially underprivileged children by helping build a better self esteem, creating a sense of pride in them and preparing them for greater responsibilities in life. There were no free meals, clothing or shelter on offer, but there was a promise of a better life where one could live with the head held high.  Their projects right from “Colors of Life” which talks about developing faculties like writing and expressing through painting or “Urja” which aims at developing a vocational skill or my favorite “Enhance” which uses techniques like martial arts and other creative skills to help develop self esteem in an individual were very different from the ones usually seen or experienced. So along with education, these children are provided with avenues where they could put their evident or latent skills to good use to discover their inner potentials and feel good about themselves. They are guided on the importance of honing these skills with the right kind of focus and discipline which holds them in good stead for whatever they decide to take up in the future. I have always believed, that great individuals achieve greatness in whatever they do, and greatness is a direct function of confidence which in turn is directly proportional to one’s state of happiness. And generally, one is happy when one feels good about oneself i.e. when one has a high self esteem. I am not a psychology expert and I am sure Anand will have a few thoughts about my ramblings considering his psychology background, but I see things in a certain manner and this manner compels me to believe that Colorss has hit the nail right on the head when it comes to understanding the current socio-economic context of our country and has come up with some unique and thought provoking projects to address some of the key issues faced by the socially less privileged.

Why only socially less privileged, helping any child develop his or her self esteem is one of the best service possible in today’s day and times, but I have to say that it is a great start. Another wonderful thing about these projects is the long term vision which makes it all the more challenging. When you see so many projects with a vision and results that are short or sometimes even immediate term in nature, one tends to believe that that they are more effective than some of the others that Colorss has set out to achieve. Why outsiders, even the stakeholders including the benefactors and the beneficiaries question this and it is in the process of answering these questions that the unwavering focus of these strong willed members of team Colorss is called upon. I was privileged to meet up with a few of them and really am in awe of their enthusiasm and dedication and the sheer love for what they have set out to do. While I absolutely mean no disrespect to any effort taken by any other foundation, I have to confess that education, self reliance and a higher sense of self esteem are right up there as far as my personal priorities are concerned. So here I am now, trying to find ways and means to being useful to Anand and his wonderful foundation. As I sit here and contemplate, I am sure Anand and his wonderful force is out there in some community centre of theirs, in a less privileged part of the cities they operate in, trying to empower and create a new society. Thank you Colorss and thank you Anand for letting me be part of your journey. I will keep doing my bit, in whatever way I am able to for I have experienced the ecstasy of “Colorss” in my life.

For more information you could also visit their website, www.colorss.org or have a quick look at their facebook page www.facebook.com/colorssfoundation

Sundar Sarma

Make the Diwali of the children at Colorss brighter. Be a part of 'Joy of Giving' this Diwali.

No other time of the year or festival conjures up as much excitement as Diwali! The festival of lights which illuminates the country with its brilliance and dazzles everyone with its joy is coming soon! 

The lights illuminate our homes and hearts and empower us to commit ourselves to good deeds. A celebration of light, love and prosperity, the spirit of Diwali entices all. 

This year let’s combine the spirit of Diwali and the joy of giving by spreading the virtues of the festival by illuminating the lives of children! Make the Diwali of the children at Colorss brighter. Be a part of 'Joy of Giving' this Diwali.

Any help that comes from your end would bring in joy at Colorss.

Colorss does NOT accept donations from countries other than India.

50% deduction to all donations to Colorss are exempt from tax under sections 80G, of the Income Tax Act. Tax exempt under Income Tax act 80G(5) Registration No: BRD/CIT/1 80G (20) (105) 2009-10.

You can send in your contribution directly in our account and let us know.

Colorss Foundation
Current A/C number: 30562854518
IFS Code: SBIN0009737
State Bank of India
New Sama Road (9737) Branch
Vadodara

Alternatively you can make a direct transfer from this link as well: https://www.badhai.in/ngo/ngodetails/colorss-foundation and click Donate

Many thanks and we look forward to hear you,
For Love,
Anand