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As part of iVolunteer Excursions, Mumbai volunteers
conducted their first trip to Maharashtra
Nature Park
with 20 children from Ashray
. This event will be held
on a monthly basis with different shelter
organisations for children. The idea is to take
the kids to a place of interest they haven’t
been before, learn and explore something new. The
volunteers act as mentors giving the children
hope and encouragement to continue their studies
and work hard for a better tomorrow. It also
provides the volunteers with a flavour of
volunteering while the interaction gives the
children the confidence to be a part of society
at large.
The
Venue
Located on Bandra-Sion Link Road and on the
Southern bank of Mithi River, MNP is a
mini-forest. Apart from being a vital green lung
for pollution-ridden Mumbai, it is a welcome
change from the din and hustle of city life. On
its periphery is the Mahim Creek which supports a
mangrove forest.
The
Activities
Our day began by assembling together at Ashray
Bandra. Armed with water bottles and caps, the
kids were taken by BEST bus to MNP. After
settling down in the foyer, our guide for the
day, Ms. Surekha, gave the children a brief
introduction to the park and the day’s plan.
Before starting out on the 2-hour long trail,
refreshments were served on the house thanks to
our volunteer Kalyani and Mr. Ajay Shukla of
HiTech Foundation. The walk through the nature
park was as educative for the volunteers and
teachers as it was for the children. We spotted
colourful caterpillars, beetles and birds not to
mention a variety of trees. Ms. Surekha
enthralled the children with stories for every
specie of flora that we came across. Post lunch
(again thanks to Kalyani), the children were
shown a short documentary film on wild animals
following which we played games in the foyer.
In
the pipeline
In the coming months, we intend to visit Kihim
Beach Resort and Essel World and plan a rain trek
for the children. While we need volunteers to
manage children on the day of the event, we would
also like your help in organising the events and
getting concessions for the children be it for
food, transportation or entry fee at a park. So,
if you think you can volunteer your time and
skills, please contact us on 022-26105235/56828875
or mumbai@ivolunteer.org.in
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