Read on for a glimpse into a first-hand perspective of volunteering and working on the field during the pandemic by Wishes and Blessings Team Member- Barkha Hazarika!
Lockdown 2020 “Ghar Raho, Surakshit Raho”. How appropriate is this slogan in a society that has different sections of people residing in it? How can a homeless person stay home when they do not have one? Is it possible for a daily wage laborer stay back home when they have to work for their bread and butter? Well for me it was definitely not appropriate, and I became curious to find answers to my questions.
I looked for ways to reach out to such people and know the ground reality. Fortunately, my organization by the same time came to their rescue and launched its Covid Relief Programme. Hearing this I couldn’t stop myself from approaching the Founder and President, Dr. Geetanjali Chopra, to allow me to be a part of the Field Team. Though she was a little hesitant initially, on my request, I received the designation of a Core Member of the Field Team. My primary role was covering stories of beneficiaries and documenting them apart from looking into the execution of the relief drives.
While talking to beneficiaries about their problems, I came to realize that their issues are way beyond our imagination. They didn’t bother about Covid-19 the way they worried about arranging a one-time meal for their survival. “Jab khana hi nahi khayenge toh bachenge kahase apne baccho ko kahase bachyenge?”, “Kaam bandh pada hain, paise nahi hain, aapne baccho ko kaise palenge ab?” All these statements gave just a glimpse into their conditions.
However, the tears of gratitude and the smiles of joy I witnessed on their faces after they received the relief is something I cannot express in words. The blessings and love that we receive from the beneficiaries are far more than what we have to offer them!
In the past 1.5 years, the stories that I have heard from the field have changed my perspective towards life. It has made me a better version of myself in every way possible.
As a girl, my capability to handle fieldwork was questioned by many. I did face challenges on the field, but my motive was stronger than these hurdles. Today I proudly say that during Covid, I have actively volunteered in 2 states across the country- Assam and Delhi/NCR and it has been a completely life-changing experience for me!