CMCA has helped me to connect with the world in the real sense. By volunteering with CMCA and working towards a positive social change has not only given me a sense of achievement but a sense of pride and identity too.
“When children realise that it wasn’t so bad, that feeling of being powerful, that you can influence your environment, influence your surroundings, influence other people” is something she sees often and feels proud of.
Ravikala became a volunteer with CMCA eight years ago when her son’s school adopted the CMCA Club programme. Since then, she says, she has become much more confident herself, thanks to teaching active citizenship to children.
Taking CMCA’s curriculum to children with neuromuscular and developmental disabilities, she notes that it is important to include children with disabilities in Citizenship Education, since “This is what we teach in the programme, equality … this programme has to go to students of all ranges. That is the main reason I’m in this.”
She believes that citizenship education is “the need of the hour”. She says, “Instead of telling them, you should be doing this, when they say, oh, we should be doing this … it’s a real ‘Aha!’ moment.”
Volunteering with CMCA has been a very enriching. I’ve met wonderful people and had some great experiences. Engaging with children makes you feel like you are part of the change that is needed in our country and that you are doing your bit.
In CMCA I have not only learnt how to empower today’s youth to spark change, but I have also learnt that I can make a change, that I can stand up and speak out. CMCA has made me more confident and transformed me into an active citizen. Proud to be part of this organisation.
CMCA has been accredited by Credibility Alliance under the category “Desirability Norms” – for good governance, accountability, transparency and continuous improvements. Credibility Alliance is a consortium of voluntary organisations committed to enhancing accountability and transparency in the voluntary sector through good governance.
