-Stevie Wonder
Retina India is a
national non-profit trust, registered in 2009 in Mumbai. It was started to
offer a platform for everyone connected with retinal diseases, including
patients and their families, to come together to help in finding solutions to
the problems of people with visual impairment.
Project Seshpath is one
such initiative of Retina India. We at Enactus H.R.College are privileged to be
a part of this program.
Visually challenged
people need a Scribe (also used to describe a volunteer who is a writer in an
examination for the differently-abled) and/or Reader of textbooks or other
printed material in their quest for climbing the educational / knowledge
ladder.
In order to volunteer, I was first asked to
register online as a scribe. To read or write was a personal choice that had to
be made. Once the registration was
completed, I received a phone call from their branch office where in I was
provided with the details of the centre and the timings where a student
required my help.
I was asked to read for
a girl named Ankita, in St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai who was preparing for her
final exams. Ankita was of 20years of age and was in her second year of
BA(bachelors of Arts). At first, I was extremely apprehensive because there was
a huge responsibility on my shoulders. I read to her several chapters and also made notes for her (which were read to her by her parents) for personal reference. I read to her twice a week after
which she appeared for her examination. I was not shocked when I learned that
she did exceedingly well, considering how hard she worked.
I entered the room with
the mind-set of helping someone learn but it was me indeed who learned much
more. Ankita narrated to me the incident which caused her to lose her vision.
It brought tears to my eyes. Her strength, willpower and determination is truly
commendable.
Most of us tend to criticize
when things do not go the way we want them to instead of accepting things the
way they are. What I learnt from Ankita’s life was to never give up despite the
many hurdles that we face.
It gives me immense pride
in saying that I was a part of this project. I have Enactus HRC and Retina
India to thank for giving me an experience of a lifetime.
My dream of helping others fulfil theirs just
came true!
If you wish to be a part of this initiative, please visit: http://www.seshpath.org/
-Yash Mehta
Member
Enactus H.R College.
