A job brings bread to the table, but in my voluntary work I have found my calling even as I enjoy myself for contributing to society, interacting with school children and not missing my own, having all the free time but using it constructively—isn’t that how life after 40 should be?
Recently, after I concluded my sessions at the school which I visit as a CMCA volunteer, we played a game. I asked all students to stand against the wall and form a circle.
I crumpled a paper which was used as a ball to throw at the kids. The child who caught the ball was asked to say in a simple sentence how he would practice what he learnt in CMCA classes.
Seeing this one child fished out a tennis ball that was then used for the game. The ball found its way randomly. And these are some sentences that emerged...
“I will complain to BWSSB if I see a leaking pipe"; "I will never litter”; “I will spread the message of garbage segregation"; "I will obey rules"; “I will get my bike emission tested"; “I will not use a vehicle until the age of 18"; “I will not use plastic bags”; “I will tell my neighbors about CMCA”, etc.
I ensured everyone got a chance. It was a nice way to conclude activities. It was a very noisy and exciting class.
The last day of that session also threw up some interesting confessions...
Mounika confessed that in spite of being a civic club member she ate and littered on the streets. Saying 'Sorry CMCA', she would throw litter in the drain nearby and moved on. Until her conscience spoke to her. “I felt guilty. If I, as civic club member, did not practice what I listened to, then how can I tell anyone else? Now I don’t litter the streets and I carry everything home to put in the dustbin. Today also I ate chips and I still have the wrapper in my bag. I’ve learnt a lot. Every Friday we’ve all learnt something new."
On my way back home, I smiles as I pondered over the events, for I have indeed been able to influence these impressionable minds! It was a satisfying year as a CMCA volunteer. The CMCA or Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness in Bangalore is an initiative of Public Affairs Centre and Swabhimana, founded in June 2000 to foster civic sense and civic consciousness among children through civic clubs in schools. Today 50 City schools are a part of this movement. Being a volunteer / facilitator with the CMCA, I visit my school to conduct classroom sessions every Friday for 45 minutes. A civic club with the children from Classes VIII and IX is formed and every year a focus topic is covered. This year I had 60 civic club members.
The objectives of CMCA are to sensitise children on civic and environmental issues and to create awareness in their homes to make informed and responsible citizens. Our very first lesson includes Civic Sense and its importance in quality of life. The values of civic sense are highlighted with group activity and flash cards.
Our second lesson in the curriculum is on Rights and Responsibilities, followed by Active Citizenship. After dealing with plastics, garbage, water, urban greening and traffic and road safety, the previous session focused on local urban government.
For a volunteer the classroom sessions are challenging and fun. I wonder many times, if I am teaching or learning. Work at CMCA empowers you. The training sessions hone your skills while the volunteer meets are platform to share information and the zonal meets and annual civic jatre all broaden your thinking and make you more resourceful.My four years at the CMCA have been a fulfilling time. The team is a band of like-minded volunteers, who are committed to make a difference to the city they live in. That is metro life! To know more about CMCA call: 25538584 /41105161 /25537260.
