Academy students give back to community

Students from the Academy visited Vejbai Bal Nivas, a boys’ orphanage, and Vivekananda Senior Citizen’s home as part of the CAS program on Sunday 11th February. Both groups of students reflected on how enriching the experience was.

The group visiting the Vejbai Bal Nivas spent time with children there, introducing them to political and scientific thought and engaging in discussions and games. Over their visit, students pondered the role played by English as a global medium and how important it would be for the children in the orphanage to have access to the language.

At the Vivekananda Senior Citizen’s Home, students were captivated by the residents’ enduring charm. They learned about the lives of the people they met, their experiences in the vastly different time that they lived through. Understanding that the gap in technology was a major issue in the lives of senior citizens, students planned to introduce them to the basics of email on future visits. They also want to learn songs that they can sing along with the residents the next time they come down. “We can’t wait to make another visit,” said Rhea Rayidi, grade 11.

The students involved in the service trips were grateful to be able to serve their community. “This was a very rewarding and humbling experience,” said Rahim Jiwani, grade 11, who visited Vejbai, “it made me realize the how blessed I am and how I shouldn't have taken things for granted all my life.”

Written by Ajay Sundaram