02/11/2025
VAZHAI VOLUNTEERS REUNION EVENT - A SUMMARY!
What a day it was at our Vazhai Volunteers Reunion! 🌿
The day began with a round of fun ice-breaking games — the ones we used to play during workshops — instantly bringing back the old vibes and setting the perfect tone for the day.
We then moved into quick introductions, where everyone shared their most cherished moments with Vazhai. What started as a wish to give back to society turned into a heartfelt reminder of how much we gain in return. The stories were nostalgic, emotional, and deeply inspiring.
After a short tea break, we had an insightful session from Agaram Foundation. Neela and Vanitha joined us online to share details about the ‘Namadhu Palli’ initiative, which focuses on placing teachers in schools that need them most. This session laid the groundwork for our discussions, as we explored adopting a similar model at Vazhai.
Next, Gnanavel, one of Vazhai’s founding members, led a thought-provoking session on volunteering — how our approach evolves through different phases of life, why it’s important to continue, and the challenges that come along the way.
The core part of the day focused on “What We Do.” Anbusivam presented an overview of Vazhai’s recent activities, including visits to schools in Dharmapuri. A school in Kodakarai has been chosen based on identified needs, and a school companion has been appointed there to help bridge educational gaps and support improvement efforts.
We then moved into an interactive brainstorming session on “What We Can Do” next — exploring volunteer requirements, next steps, and potential areas for further work.
The group agreed to continue discussions offline, plan to meet at least once every two months, and most importantly, stay connected to take our efforts forward.
It was a joyful day filled with memories, ideas, and renewed energy. We truly hope that those who couldn’t make it this time can join us in future meets and continue being part of Vazhai’s journey of change.