Wisdom from the Learner.

 “Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision”

-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.