Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 20: 'Sowing' and 'reaping' took a new form with AIMIT's Joy Of Giving (JOG) Week – Daan Utsav at St Aloysius College, Mangalore from October 3 to 9. The students of AIMIT Business school held various events during the Daan Utsav week for facilitating various acts of giving, sharing and caring.
The idea that created ripples was introduced in one of the business ethics classes. Felwin, an ex-student, brought the word about Daan Utsav, the Joy of Giving Week. The MBA students of AIMIT, took to the mission immediately. Under the guidance of the members of the faculty, the student leaders Abhishek Retrekar and Chryselle Fernandes sounded the call of service and formed Joy of Giving (JOG) Team of volunteers.
The Sowing
As a fundraiser for Daan Utsav, the JOG Team combined their resources and skills to put up a sale of sandwiches, burgers, chaats, gulab jamun, cold coffee and mocktails on various days. They invested their time to prepare it by themselves, while students generously contributedfro the ingredients. Some creative talents prepared bookmarks and auctioned them to art lovers in the campus. The JOG Instagram team set up a studio to help people treasure memories of Daan Utsav. The Smiley team sold the JOG smileys to every kind heart. From among management students, one saw chefs, artists, and photographers emerge. The tremors of enthusiasm gripped the student community to move into service. The funds raised through various activities were distributed over the weekend.
The Harvest
Infant Mary School for Orphans & Poor Children, Jeppu on October 7
Team JOG started their mission, with the visit to the school run by the Sisters of Charity, Jeppu. The school caters to the 115 children. Among them are orphans alongside few children of construction labourers, who extended a heartwarming welcome.
In the act of sharing time and gifts with them, every JOG member ensured to leave a smile on the sea of faces.
A little boy, who clutched the packets of eats, when asked why he wouldn’t eat it, said, “I want to give it to my father and mother at home.” The team declared him the Hero of the JOG Week and adorned him with the JOG Badge of Honor.
Bhagini Samaj Shishu Nilaya for girls on October 7
The Lady Team of JOG spent the evening with the Children who were from grade 1 – 10, as only ladies were allowed at Bhagini Samaj. They spoke to the children concerning their academics and their interests. As one of the volunteers would put it, “We could see their eyes filled with dreams and hope.”
The team distributed the gifts and snacks and noticed the older ones shared their gifts with the younger ones, evidence for the true the joy of giving.
On their way back, the Team distributed snacks to the children of the construction workers, leaving a happy curve on those tiny faces.
Co-workers’ Day: An evening with helpers at AIMIT October 7
While two teams of JOG spread the Joy of Giving in the City, the third team facilitated the ‘Thank You Program’ for the co-workers of AIMIT in the MDP Centre. The team personally escorted gardeners, hostel-caretakers, guards, librarians and housekeeping staff who make sure the students have their share of joy.
The team organised a fun and entertaining programme to create happy memories for its co-workers. They presented each of the helpers at the Campus with a token of gratitude, for all that they do with a smile on their face.
Dr Rowena Wright, Dean – Academics, MBA and Fr. Balaraju presented the gifts. Fr Denzil Lobo SJ, Director, AIMIT lauded the initiative of Team JOG, first of its kind at AIMIT, and bestowed generous appreciation on the special people in the evening.
'One Rupee Wonder' drive in Mangaluru City, October 8
The goal of the ‘One Rupee Wonder’ drive was to sensitise the general public toward giving, even a little, to make a world of difference to someone in need. Team JOG hit the roads of Mangaluru, dividing themselves into groups of two/three, going about with a corporate begging bowl. Daan Utsav volunteers, asked people to share a rupee for a cause. Though it was a tough start, approaching vendors, shop keepers and the general public, the experience turned out to be a corporate learning for life for most. Members shared their excitement, frustration and wonder, citing how simple people were rich at heart, and the rich, very poor. “Hereafter, I will respect every Auto-rickshaw driver” sighed one of the JOG volunteers.
Paschim Rehab Centre, Someshwar, October 9
On Sunday, Team JOG set out on their Daan Utsav mission to Paschim Rehab Centre at Someshwar, Mangaluru. The centre caters to senior citizens and differently-able people with 65 inmates. It took some time for the volunteers to break the ice, as it was a different set up, but not for too long. As every volunteer took initiative to acquaint themselves with two of the inmates each, in no time, we had a family in place. The team sang, danced and ate with them; one could sense the atmosphere of cordial exchanges. The smile and happiness on those grand old faces were some treasured memories. Acknowledging the service of the caretakers at the Centre, the team presented each caretaker with the JOG Badge of Honor.
"Giving is alone not a priority. Spending time is also required" said a volunteer, recounting her experience.
Get-together with the Children of Aloysian Boys Home (ABH), Nehru Nagar, Someshwar, October 13
Fr Denzil invited the children along with the staff of ABH. Team JOG had another chance to celebrate the Joy of Giving. The team organised a short get together for the boys, joining them in fun games and dance, lifting their spirits.
To put the experience in a nutshell, one of the team members exclaimed, “This week made my MBA worthy.”