The Heavenly Experience

Youth Wellness Camps - The Heavenly Experience

I am a business executive in the Boston area. For the past few years, I have been attending Youth Wellness Health Camps as a volunteer in Gujarat, India, organized by Yuva Pragati of USA in collaboration with local NGOs. This is the story of this heavenly experience this year.

In January 2018, two teams, each with 30 doctors, dentists, physical therapists and volunteers from the US, aided by local pharmacists, optometrists, dentists, dental/pharmacy/nursing students - examined a total of 2,200+ adivasi (ST) and Baxi Punch (OBC) children in 21 Ashram Shalas in rural Gujarat in 2 weeks. First week in Ajrai village in South Gujarat and second week in Boghravadar, Vangadhra, Sapar, Kalasar and Kuvadava in rural Saurashtra. These camps were managed by local partners: Adivasi Sanskar Mandal in Ajrai and Sister Nivedita Trust in Rajkot, who made arrangements for examination facilities and getting the children ready, while looking after transportation and other needs of the visitors, making their life comfortable.

During the camp, each child was examined meticulously by a doctor, dentist and other team members and given medication if necessary. About 10% of children were referred to specialists for further evaluation/treatment and eventually followed-up by the local sponsors. Teachers and administrators were given feed-back, so they can continue to follow good hygiene, while also making school-wide improvements. Health of these children has significantly improved over the last 10 years since these camps began.

These days entailed daily welcome reception, breakfast and lunch at the schools. We got to eat local cuisine, including Ponk, Ubadiyu and Ringna Nu Shak! In some schools, children performed dance for us, and in Vangadhra, children had set up an Art Exhibition, while each one of us received a gift of an art piece, painstakingly made by the children.

These weeks were also sprinkled with visits to school campuses, local farms and other local attractions: Visiting one of India’s best eye hospitals in Navsari, marveling at the passion of Yogesh Naik, who runs this modern facility; touring a large orchid farm in Sonvadi, impressed by what it takes to build and maintain it, while enjoying fresh coconut juice; visiting a Gol making factory, while swimming in fresh sugarcane juice lovingly provided by the owners; ravishing fresh Dosa and Idli at the home of Navsari’s “Mama”, with an impromptu music program as he unveiled his harmonium, getting us to sing our favorite songs; enjoying the beauty of river Ambika, on the banks of which the Ajrai school is located, surrounded by Chikoo vadis.

While doctors were examining the children in Ajrai, a Vanchan Shibir (Reading Camp) was organized under the Chikoo trees. A select group of 31 students from 14 schools spent 4 days reading, analyzing and meditating on a book, at the end of which each one spoke about its essence in front of a group of elders and children, with great confidence and without looking at any notes – a lesson in courage and public speaking! Interwoven with the Shibir were arts and crafts projects conducted by 4 young ladies from Vedcchi Ashram as a part of their teaching internship.

Yuva Pragati also sponsors various projects at these schools to improve health and living conditions of these children which enhances their education and performance. We saw some of them: bunk beds, fresh water bore, water tank, toilet blocks, leaky roof repair and an assembly hall.

It was most exhilarating to see these children. They were innocent, happy and endearing. We fell in love with them. I had a captive audience, as we talked about how to dream and what they need to do to achieve it and live a good, healthy life. We covered various areas, like  building confidence, dropping shyness, curiosity as a way of life, courage during tough times, helping others and seeking help when needed, respect for others – especially for women, tenacity, good hygiene/habits and healthy life, staying away from vices, like tobacco and alcohol and, above all, believing that they are as capable as these doctors or Gandhiji or the Prime Minister of India, and that they can conquer the world.

For all of us, it was a heavenly experience. As we traveled in the bus together, singing, laughing and sharing life experiences, we developed friendships. We also marveled at the selfless work being done by the people at Adivasi Sanskar Mandal and Sister Nivedita Trust, and their lifelong devotion to educating these young children. I would invite doctors, dentists and all others to join us for this heavenly experience in our motherland next year, and the years to come.