Renewing hope

Updated on: Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Among the increasing number of youth organizations and social groups that have cropped up in current times, only a handful have managed to raise pertinent issues, ensure their motives are genuine and continuously take meaningful actions.

One such initiative comprising enterprising volunteers is called ‘Power of Youth Hands’ — a trust that takes various active measures for empowering the downtrodden in and around the city.

This dedicated youth group conducts frequent visits to under-privileged homes and orphanages, interacts with the homeless and organizes rallies for increasing public awareness on causes leading to these social issues. These efforts are all in line with fulfilling their dream of a poverty-free Coimbatore.

The founder of the group, Soloman Roy, a student of Hindustan College had always been inclined towards social work from an early age, but had to wait till he was in college if he wanted to be taken seriously.

Describing the core values of his organisation, he says, “People visit homes and shelters with clothes and food, but few interact with the children there. Out first event was conducting motivational classes for these kids to boost their confidence. Due to our efforts, one boy has become a State level gold medallist in athletics and another is actively participating in basketball coaching.”

The group also organised an Accident Awareness Rally recently that met with huge success. As Mohamed Shoaib, a volunteer from KGiSL College, remarked on the dire need for such campaigns, “There were six fatal motor accidents in six months! Someone had to educate students on the perils of rash driving.”

Speaking about the highlights of working with such an organisation, Mohamed shares the bittersweet moments of his experience as a youth social worker. “Our work in the orphanages has been most heartening.

We choreographed dances, performed skits and many other activities with the kids, some of them who’d been abandoned by abusive parents. While distributing clothes at the RS Puram Beggar’s Home during a 6-month camp, we heard some heart-breaking stories.

However, the group still has many plans in store to keep their cause going strong and is pretty clear about future aspirations. As another group member, V. Saranya, a student of Krishna College, says, “Abolishing child labour, holding a global warming education rally, ensuring there are no more beggars in Coimbatore, and organising a program for under-privileged kids are our aims in the near future.”

Recalling an incident that touched her deeply, Saranya shares, “During a visit, I lent my slippers to a little girl participating in a race. I stepped on a thorn bush and hurt my foot.

Seeing this, the girl ran towards me, hugged me and refused to leave my side the entire day. She cried when I was leaving and to console her, I promised I’d be back. She looks forward to my visit till date. Where else can you find this kind of love?” We agree.

Renewing hope

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