The Joy of Volunteering

Volunteering rarely begins with a formal invitation. Sometimes, it begins with a story. I was introduced to Bala Mandir by PN. He took me around and explained the various activities that Bala Mandir was engaged in. It was an experience that led me to get involved on several projects for the institution and later into the Kinship Care programme.

For me, it started with a simple reading session. I was invited to read with children living in the districts—curious minds aged 10 to 12, eager to listen.  What I didn’t know then was that this moment would become my portal to something profoundly joyful.

That single storytelling session blossomed into what is now a vibrant initiative—an online programme offering English to children who might otherwise go without structured learning. We call it a ‘Read a Story’ and later the ‘Happy English Programme’—not because it’s free of challenges, but because it’s infused with the joy of possibility.

When English Becomes an Experience

English, for these children, wasn’t just a subject, it was a nightmare! Their basic fear of English was never understood or appreciated. It was their nemesis, and the very thought of reading, and English lessons, filled them with apprehension.

The key to the joy of introducing English was to explain that it was a window to new worlds. It is learning to read books, express feelings, ask questions, and tell their own stories.

Take Pranaav, for example. He joined two years ago, unsure and quiet, struggling with even basic reading. Over time, with patient tutoring and joyful engagement, he found his rhythm. Today, he reads fluently, speaks confidently, with words he once feared.

Watching his transformation was humbling—not because it came from grand methods, but because it came from consistent care and connection. Each reading session was a brick, laid in the foundation of confidence.

Teaching from the Heart, across Distances

As a volunteer, your tools are simple: a laptop, a lesson plan, and an open heart. You show up each week, not just as a tutor but as a believer—in every child, in every effort. The magic is not just in the words and numbers shared, but in the smiles received, in the eyes that light up when a sentence finally makes sense.

These classes are not limited by geography. They’re woven with empathy. And the distance between us and the children fades with each joyful interaction.

The Joy that Keeps You Coming Back

There are no gold stars or certificates waiting at the end. But what you gain is far richer:

A sense of purpose

A growing family of learners

A deep and lasting fulfillment Volunteering here is a journey from curiosity to connection. It begins with a story—and evolves into countless stories written in laughter, learning, and transformation