Young Selfless Changemakers

November 8, 2024 | 3 min read

A group of teenagers becomes changemakers, raising awareness about the debilitating effects of dementia that afflicts many elderly people. A short story by Dr K Srikala Ganapathy.

raising funds for dementia research - short story

It was summer vacation. Anu loved this time of the year. She joined summer camp, learned guitar and Zen tangle art, and was having an exciting holiday.

Anu was an intelligent and sensitive fourteen-year-old girl. Her tender mind wanted to reach out to people who were suffering and help them. So, she decided to do something meaningful during the holidays.

Anu called up her friend, “Hi Varsha, I have an idea. Shall we do something good and make a difference in our community during this vacation? Shall we meet?”

Varsha, her enthusiastic friend, replied, “Wow, great plan, Anu. I will bring Varun, Ram, and Sanju too.”

It was a coming together of five children, and they greeted each other with friendly “Hi’s.”

The kids brainstormed ideas and finally decided on a project called “Raising Funds for Dementia Research Foundation.” They divided tasks among themselves, worked together busily, and came up with sparkling ideas to raise funds for the cause.

Varun said, “So, all of us are going to work towards one purpose with different ideas!”

Quick-thinking Sanju agreed, and they designed a flyer to spread the word, inviting and encouraging people to participate in the event to be held at the neighborhood public library.

Super-enthusiastic Varsha spearheaded a “Jewelry Making and Greeting Card Making Workshop” with a group of her friends. They showed creative abilities and coordination skills as they made beautiful bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and anklets with perfect color combinations and symmetry. The buzz caught on, and people came forward to support the cause by buying jewelry.

The kids had earlier visited the Dementia Research Foundation, learned about dementia, and spent time with elderly people, serving them lunch with lots of love.

They organized a “Summer Awareness Program”. They presented information through PowerPoint presentations to the public about the signs, symptoms, and risks of dementia. There was a good turnout for this event too. The children also organized a walkathon. Many participants and corporate companies extended kind support for the cause. The programme proved to be a success, and the kids raised a substantial amount.

Food stalls and booths were set up, and Ram did a great job spreading awareness of their cause.

Anu took the lead as social media coordinator, sharing the news.

The fundraising event turned out to be a success, and the kids donated the money to the Dementia Research Foundation.

The kids were rightly appreciated at their school. Their heartening selfless story appeared in the neighborhood newspaper, and in the interview, they unanimously said, “We are beginning with our new plan for the upcoming year, and we welcome volunteers.”

Everyone was not only moved by the selfless spirit of the children but was also amazed by their leadership skills and team spirit, which demonstrated their positive personality traits.

The kids became an inspiration to their community. From just the teens of the neighbourhood, they had now become changemakers — selfless, loving and caring.

——————-

We must shape humane values like compassion and empathy in young minds alongside scholarly and co-scholarly activities. This is not only beneficial for their personality development but also for creating a better, more peaceful, and progressive society, thereby making our nation and the world a better place to live in.

More Must Read in LnC Short Stories

Yellow Strawberries — Part 5: Zorro’s Birthday

The Silent Whistleblower    

An Unexpected Companion

Tagore and the Hills

Gallery

Dr. K. Srikala Ganapathy, founding Editor of ‘Science Shore’ online magazine lives in Chennai, India. She has a passion for education – academics and teaching. An experienced teacher, Srikala loves to draw. Her drawings are showcased in online exhibitions and published in online journals as well as in a physical book. She strives to live her life to the fullest.

From Blue Pencil

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4 Comments
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Buju
Buju
1 year ago

Short and sweet story, will be a very inspirational story for the younger generation. Good work keep it going

Kailas
Kailas
1 year ago

There are 3 uses in this type of publishing moral values and stories
1) self improvement
2) it is good seva for mankind
3) it is also a dharma and punyam for individual
Instead ofspending screen time this is good and encourage all type of people respective of age

If we spend practicing this we will also making and publishing which will be useful to our coming generation
God bless all

K Srikala ganapathy
K Srikala ganapathy
1 year ago

Thanks so much Buju for reading and your kind words of encouragement.

K. Srikala ganapathy
K. Srikala ganapathy
1 year ago

Thank you so much appa for reading and sharing your beautiful thoughts. I loved reading your valid, valuable inputs.

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