Ideal Youth group for social commitment

Nellore: This is not story of a professional organization but of teen-agers who have been extending their helping hand to people from underprivileged communities who were in distress. They are young crusaders of Nellore city who started their charity at the age of 20 without any financial support even though pursuing under graduation courses. Simply they were spending pocket money and also donating blood on a timely basis.

Three to four young people from various areas in the district while studying first year degree in local colleges started SWAN (Social Workers Association for the Nation) in May 2014, which has not been registered till now, aiming at donating blood to the needy. The number gradually increased to 35 members from different colleges in city in a short span. Now, there are 50 members in which 20 are actively participate in the service activities.

“We are saving Rs. 700-800 every month from our pocket money which is insufficient for taking up any activity. But, we have enough blood to save lives. So, we donate it on quarterly basis and 35-40 members support us participating in the activity. We are not only donating but also creating awareness on saving lives through donation and also dispel misconceptions on blood donation,” said N Bhanu Teja, who studies second year degree in humanities in local VR College.

The group has been taking up the activity for last two years and also clean traffic islands every Sunday. They have not confined to blood donation but also adopted a village, Kondlapudi village in Nellore rural mandal for making it a model one and started lobbying with the local legislator and also local philanthropist for any support for the village.

“We appealed to the city mayor to renovate Gandhi Park which is located in heart of city which is under progress. We have also collected Rs. 35,000 for supporting a girl student who needed support for education. We are not doing anything just motivating people to focus on problems of others. We do the charity and make others to inspire by the activity without any return,” said Janardhan, another key member of the group.

Now, Chandu, Akhil, and many others are organizing events with the help of other members. The group is also doing liaison with ministers, legislators and others for supporting a 9-year old kid, Devi Prasad, who has been suffering from leukaemia who needs Rs. 17 lakh for surgery and treatment. They serve food to the needy during difficult situations contributing money jointly in connection with birthday of any member.

“Our focus is not getting the group registered as a society or a trust and apply for any funding from internal and external sources. We want to educate the rural population on various aspects and making them reliant without involvement of middlemen. As long as we are united we do this incessantly,” said SK Hussain, a key member of the youth group. He added that they have huge human resource but require some guidance for a clear roadmap on future activities.