iVolunteer Blog - everything about volunteering

While returning from the field today, I stopped midway in Khandala village, where the weekly Friday market takes place. I was walking through the vegetable lane when I heard a little girl calling her elder sister “Abba,” which means father. This caught my attention because, in most Muslim families, elder sisters are usually called Appi […]

The Beginning of an Uncertain Journey As I embarked on this two-year fellowship journey, uncertainty loomed large. I struggled to determine the right approach for fieldwork—what exactly needed to be done, how I would engage with the community, and most importantly, how I would navigate the language barriers. While I knew Kannada, the dialect spoken […]

Every person has a different lens to look at empowerment. Some see it with the lens of education some with the livelihood some with law and order and some can look it as rights and duties. Groups can bring strength and empowerment to the members while individual growth is much more evident in the groups. […]

I know it hurts. I know the silence within you is heavy. You were once full of life, wealth and history. But today, the world calls you a Ghost Town. How does it feel to be forgotten? That day, we came to see you. From a far, you looked lonely, frozen in time. Broken homes, […]

Ajendra grew up in the Gangetic plains, where water was abundant. In ancient times, water was a key factor in deciding where to settle, with people often choosing places near rivers, lakes, and seas. I believe northern India, with its many rivers, is one reason it’s so densely populated. However, this blog is about my […]

World Environment Day, traditionally celebrated on June 5th, took on a special significance in our rural landscape this year. Due to extended school holidays caused by scorching heat and increased humidity, the celebration was delayed. However, once the schools reopened, the event became a much-anticipated and exciting occasion for the students. Organizing an event of […]

‘Hey Poongodi.. Where are you rushing to this early in the morning? Have tea with us!’ said a voice.  While catching their breath, the second voice was heard saying , ‘I just had tea. By the way, you went to work on Karunanidhi’s farm yesterday, right? Did you get paid? ‘Not yet. We have one […]

ನಾ ಸೋತ ಘಳಿಗೆಛಲ ಬಿಡದೆ ದುಡಿದು ದಣಿದಪರಿಶ್ರಮಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದವುಉತ್ತರಗಳಿಗೆ ನಾ ಸೋತ ಘಳಿಗೆಭರವಸೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬತ್ತಿಬರಿದಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು ಬಯಕೆಯಜೋಳಿಗೆ ನಾ ಸೋತ ಘಳಿಗೆಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯ ಅವಲಂಬಿತಸಂಬಂಧಗಳು ತೊರೆದವುನನ್ನ ಬೆಸುಗೆ ನಾ ಸೋತ ಘಳಿಗೆಖಾಲಿಯಾದರೂ ಸಾಯದ ಎದೆಗೆಬರಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸಿದ್ದನಾಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆಅವಮಾನಗಳಿಗೆ ನಾ ಸೋತ ಘಳಿಗೆಕತ್ತಲಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬಂಟಿಗನಾಗಲು ಬಿಡದೆಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸಿ ಬಂದವು ಕಣ್ಣೀರುಜೊತೆಗೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ ಮೇಟಿ The Moment I Lost When I lost, All the hard work Kept pushing on without quitting and Waiting for an answers When […]

“Gaali is a way to get rid of the frustration inside of me”.., “It is very normal, I don’t mean like that”..,”My language is like that only, can’t help it”..,So many reason for the use of gaali and not a single reason to feel ashamed of what you just said (if you know the meaning […]

Over the past two days, I experienced something truly special and memorable that I will cherish forever. I had the opportunity to attend the inauguration program of my village school in Satkondi, Ratnagiri. It wasn’t just an event; it became a celebration of unity, culture, and togetherness, leaving me overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. The […]