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CSR > Citi Volunteer Effort> Others Volunteers Activities > Darul Sakun |
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DARUL-SAKUN - Testimonial by a Volunteer |
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Our emotional fabric is nurtured to help loved ones. It’s quite instinctive to experience some sort of empathy when a close friend or relative suffers. It’s also quite normal to reach into your pockets and heart to free them of that suffering.
Except, what of those that suffer but have no one to reach out to? Indeed there are masses of tormented individuals in our very own country that lead empty lives of pain and misery. For some of these ‘lucky’ people however, there is hope in the form of Darul-Sakun, which in its literal translation means ‘House of Peace’. A sanctuary for approximately 130 residents consisting of both children and adults, this Home caters to their emotional and physical needs.
A few months back, Citibank had the pleasure of volunteering for a fun-filled day with the residents of Darul-Sakun. Preparations to collect donations and organising clowns, bouncing castles, sing along songs and lunch boxes were well underway with generous help from everyone. I was happy to help and took that merry attitude along with me on the day of.
Only upon my arrival did I come face-to-face with a tangible notion of neglect and alienation. While the atmosphere was one of excitement for the residents, it was altogether heart wrenching for me. As I walked my way through one of the old buildings my nose filled with a particular stench. I can only assume it was a past smell of those that did not have the mental and physical capacity to control their body functions.
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I was relieved to reach the end of the older part of the institution into the new building. While this was most aesthetically appealing, I could not help but actually feel my heart break when I saw infants just lying in their cots – no mother, no father, just them and their imagination to occupy. The older residents seemed to have found comfort in each other but it still did not change the fact that they had been ‘left’ here.
I think my sentiments were shared amongst most of the volunteers. I do believe however, that they would’ve been a lot worse had it not been for the Sisters who had sacrificed their energy and efforts to provide a loving Home for these individuals.Daral-Sakun like any other charity catering for humanity does need donations. More importantly however, they need volunteers to help and spend time with the residents. One nanny caters for two dozen or more children. Imagine having 24 siblings or 24 children; quite a few middle child syndrome cases I’d think! A few hours a week is well worth the effort.
To me it was not just about doing the right thing in order to save myself the guilt of not doing it; it was about giving because in exchange I made someone smile and feel loved. |
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