12 Apr A Project close to my Heart
Hakuna Matata is not just a social project for me; it has now become the part of my life. I had hand full of experience in child education in the past. Hakuna Matata gave me opportunity to work with children who are linked to stigmatized issue. This was my first time working with such population.
Now I don’t work for them, I work for myself as all of them have become the part of me.
A year back, when I got my appointment letter from SAATH for the position of project coordinator for Hakuna Matata, the anxiety level grew as multiple questions arose in my head. How these children would be, how would they interact, will I be able to build a rapport with them or not? I got all my answers when I saw them at my first Hakuna Matata workshop. They were no different than any other children whom I taught before.
Hakuna Matata – where kids can be kids, a project of SAATH, where 40 marginalized children who are infected and affected by HIV, gets a platform to boost up their confidence and develop their skills. Financial support for education and nutrition are always there, but what matter the most is the emotional and moral support that we provide them through various workshops and camps that make them feel inclusive.
I am glad that I have been coordinating this project. From conducting programs for kids; dealing with emotional parents; training and managing volunteers and raising funds for the program. This has become my regular work. I am satisfied with what I have learned and achieved from/with these experiences. Fundraising was never my cup of tea but with all the experiences with fund raising for Hakuna Matata, I can proudly say that I have become a better fundraiser. This sounds funny but now I don’t leave any possible way to ask for contribution from potential donors.
It’s been more than a year that I have been working at SAATH. With these bunch of young professionals who are my colleagues and seniors. SAATH is more than just a workplace; it’s a place where I am learning to be a better human being.
By Chandni Kayastha (Project Coordinator)