The volunteer visits a special school and interacts with the students and staff. The principal founded the school to provide support and education for special needs children that are often ostracized by society. The volunteer is impressed by the high quality facilities and care provided by the understaffed school. During activities with the students, the volunteer gains a new perspective on the challenges faced by these children yet also their ability to find happiness. The experience was memorable and motivating for the volunteer.

1. A JOURNEY TO REMEMBER
When I met with students of SPECIAL SCHOOL!!!!!
It has been only few months for me as a volunteer in PRAYAASCORPS, an NGO working for the
betterment of society in every possible way be it like teaching needy children, blood donation
campaign, spreading awareness etc.(For more information about Prayaas Corps, visit
www.prayaascorps.com). Within these few months, I was exposed to plantation drive, teaching,
splash a smile campaign which were some extremely joyous moments without having the slightest
idea that the true happiness was about to come.
It was a bright sunny day of 09 May 2017. We decided to visit students of Special School located in the
outskirts of our city. After taking permission from the principle of the school, we formed a group of 30
volunteers. Also, we took with us enough refreshments, games, art and craft material which we
planned to do there with the children. With the sole purpose to put a smile on their face and to make
their day memorable, we sat on a bus. In nearly 30 minutes, we arrived at our destination at 11:30
am.
It was a 4 storey building with 3 gardens, 2 playgrounds and trees all around the campus. Cool air was
blowing all around with fresh oxygen to breathe in. We first met with the principle Mr. AK Sinha, who
told us his journey from leaving a big fat 7 figure salary Job to founding this school with a sole desire
to work for the society especially for special children. He told us his insights regarding how society
boycotts these children and his initiatives that he was doing for breaking the ice and imparting status
to these children. We were deeply moved by his thoughts and his spirit for fighting such a big obstacle
alone using weapon of passion and desire to help the children was highly appreciable.
After discussing problems with desirable solutions for an hour, he took us to see the building. There
were 4 classrooms, a gym, a physiotherapy centre, speech therapy, medical and dentistry services, a
play room, a meal centre and a pickup and drop bus service facility. All the equipments inside the
rooms were of high standards. The cleanliness throughout the campus was maintained very
effectively. The security cameras were installed wherever necessary. We were really amazed to see
how with such a short staff, Mr. Sinha was able to maintain such high quality standard around the
campus.
At around 2:00 pm were allowed to interact with the students. There were around 60 students. Most
Children comprises of age group of 10-18 years of age. There were students from each section of
society be it rich, middle class or BPL students playing with one another. It felt like we have come to a
completely different place, an India which our ancestors had hoped for. Students with physical and
mental problems, deaf and dumb, blind or with disorders were taken care by their specialist. We
divided our team and went for two to one interaction so as spend time with all the children and to
arrange small group activities. We organised games and activities for children like sports, music,
dance, drawing etc. We also assisted the specialist in providing training and support to children during
therapies. We also interacted with the fund raising department and the campaign department
regarding the activities which brings out more fund and spread more awareness in society.
On interacting with Children and the specialist with got to know the problems these children face in
every second of their life, something that we as a fully functional homosapiens will not understand.
Yet they somehow find light in the darkness i.e happiness in their miseries and we still cry seeing what

2. others’ have and we don’t. Hence it the necessary for us to acknowledge them with polite, patient,
mature environment where they are welcome with open heart and treated like the children of God.
Our mission was a huge success. We made them forget their miseries even for a very small duration,
but it was so worth it. We took with us some incredible memories that will be cherished forever.
Memories that will keep us motivated forever.
And someone with great thought gave these children a name. SERIOUSLY, THE CHILDREN ARE
SPECIAL.............
Kumar Kartik Jain
( Intern at prayaascorps)
About Author: I was born on 5th
Octuber 1995 in Gwalior (M.P). My father is a business man and
my mother is a house wife. I have one elder sister. I have completed my schooling from Gwalior my
graduation from SGSITS, Indore(M.P).
www.prayaascorps.com