Today I´d like to share, some beautiful and heart warming stories of two eminent people in Sadbhavna. An inspired volunteer and a blessed student in their own words.

"19 years back my primary education started in a village where the education system was no different than that of most of the villages in India which are inadequately developed. The schools were rendered nonfunctional due to a shortage of resources, schools, classrooms and teachers. But like most of the other kids I had no idea about what I was being deprived of in the formative years of my academic career, until I myself, visually experienced the true definition of a Convent school.

As the wheels of time rolled on, I realized that the plight of children in Urban Government Schools is no less deplorable than that of the school going kids in villages. At Sadbhavna, I came across so many "less advantaged" yet bright kids. I have used the phrase ´less advantaged´ consciously, because I know, in Government schools their state is no different. These schools are plagued with various problems vis-a-vis poor infrastructure, poor teacher attendance, unhealthy teaching quality and a complete lack of personal attention and love for these kids. Often, due to the resulting, poor quality of teaching, many of these children may drop out before completing their schooling and many of those who stay on, learn little".

At Sadbhavna, our effort is to fill up this void, to do our bit in making a positive difference to the lives of these students.

"These children have a unique way of reciprocating the love they get from us...they´ll smile innocently with a sparkle in their eyes. Sometimes I question myself, is it their intuition that tells them that something good is happening...or the gleaming hope of a brighter future that makes their eyes twinkle? My conscience doesn't know for sure, but it inspires me to keep that "magic" alive whichever way possible" says Vinay Nigam an Engineer for Quality Systems at Newgen.

Star Kid Neelam, is the daughter of Chandrabhan, an Electrician working with Newgen for more than a decade now. Today she´s also an inspiration for others and a matter of pride for her father, and Sadbhavna community. Following is her experience straight from her heart, but translated in a language that we as the well educated lot understand better. Though we know, love has no language.

"I joined this wonderful community, when I was in the 11th standard, studying in Sarvodya Kanya Vidalaya Government School. Our school didn´t provide the right atmosphere for studying. My father and my friends encouraged me to attend Sadbhavna sessions. It´s been three years since then and I´ve never had to look back in life. Seeing that I was good in Mathematics and Computers, the volunteers here, helped me sincerely. For two months we prepared rigorously for the BCA entrance exam-IP University, Delhi. That time it seemed impossible, for me to look ahead in a positive direction regarding my career. I was constantly inspired to do better at studies. Today with gods grace and my mentors help, I´m studying in the final year of BCA, aspiring to do a job and earn a living for myself and my family. Yakeen hai mujhe, ki, main bhi zindagi mein kuch bann kar dikhaungi!"

I´d like to take this opportunity to dedicate a few lines for our Star Kid-Neelam, whose name would shine brightly and inspire us for years to come...

"I´m like a star, twinkling up far, filled with the gleam of hope, Shinning through the night of gloom;

Don´t mistake me for a fool, for you know the rule, I shall forever stay aglow;

Luminescent of my true worth and my unassuming innocence, I now know;

I AM A STAR...the understanding came too slow, But this time for sure, for sure, for sure!!" …

	Disha Mehta (GBD)
	Sadbhavna Volunteer