Christmas is the time of happiness, merry-making, and cheer. Keeping up with IIM Raipur’s vision in preparing ethical leaders who are committed not only to business but are also socially conscious towards their contribution to society and nation building and an effort to spread happiness among all, Kartavya- the CSR club of IIM Raipur visited the SOS Children’s Village located in Banarsi, Raipur to celebrate Christmas and New year with the children.
The SOS Village is home to 140 orphaned children who belong to the age group of 5 to 18 years. The children live in groups of 10 and are nurtured by 14 individual mothers for each home.
A team of around 30 students from Indian Institute of Management, Raipur reached the place on 31st December 2018 at afternoon. Thereafter, the students were informed of the rules and regulations of the village along-with the do’s and don’ts of interacting with the children. The student volunteers and children were then brought together to proceed with the celebrations.
The volunteers started the engagement with a brief introduction of themselves with the children. The team started engaging everyone through a variety of games and fun activities. The smiles on the faces of children was a feast to the eyes. The event also had various planned performances of music, dance and stand-up comedy, which the children enjoyed thoroughly and showed a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
The biggest joy for the children on the day was the Secret Santa activity in which the children were greeted by a Santa clause with gifts and chocolates.
Towards the end of the event the children were encouraged to study and work hard in order to achieve big in their lives and at the same time focus on a fun and healthy living. The children were grateful for the wonderful time they spent.
IIM Raipur students also voluntarily donated some gifts including food products and books to the SOS village. Small children were given drawing and puzzle books whereas the teenagers were given books on general knowledge and motivation.
This holiday celebration at SOS Village was a great takeaway for the IIM Raipur students as well. Divya Singh, first year PGP student at IIM Raipur, was dressed as Santa. According to her, “It is rightly said that there is no joy bigger than the joy of giving. This is one of the experiences which I will cherish my whole life”. Everyone cultivated precious memories and great learnings from the day.
What better way could it be than to celebrate the new year with children who can delight anyone with their smiles, innocence, and energy.
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