“What may be the norm for you, isn’t the norm for others.”
Volunteering often serves as a transformative journey, bringing the individual closer than ever to the community. Ashish, a working professional, embarked on one such journey in 2019 as he immersed himself in fostering social change and empowering young people. He discovered Rubaroo in 2016 through Neha, a Queen’s Young Leader’s Award recipient. Ashish desired to collaborate with the organisation, but only for that to happen in 2019. Let’s dive into his journey, which entails self-discovery, acknowledging one’s privilege, and embracing different perspectives.
An Opportunity on the Door
Entering Rubaroo, Ashish found himself in an environment that welcomed him with open arms. Reflecting on his experience, he recalls, “It was a safe space to learn from different perspectives, and it was a two-way street. My opinions were welcome, and it felt like home.” Being involved in the early stages of the Changemaker program, Ashish contributed to mobilising the program and spreading the word in institutions and other places.
“There was a lot of learning in the short span. Looking into the Changemaker program it was a great platform to incubate social entrepreneurs. I was involved in scouting, went for site visits, and made cold calls. Moreover, I scrutinised the applications and engaged in conversations with the applicants. It was a wonderful experience.”
These interactions gave Ashish valuable insights and fostered meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Challenging Assumptions and Beating Privilege Bar
Ashish’s journey prompted him to challenge his assumptions and recognise his privileges. Recounting a pivotal moment, he shares, “There were things I never realised were an issue. They were things I took for granted, and I learned that not everybody comes from the same place.” Being an avid learner and compassionate, Ashish turned to the team to understand the dynamics of different things and found himself surrounded by many perspectives.
“There was a group of girls with an idea to impact their society and advocate for freedom of choice for young girls. I never realised that it was a problem, that there were restrictions. The conversation helped change me and opened me to the concept of social equity – that not everybody is given equal opportunities. What might be normal may not be.”
Through this journey, Ashish reflects that he looks to understand things more profoundly and believes the more time he spends, the more he learns and figures out things.
Growth and Gratitude
While Ashish may have spent just a month or two with Rubaroo, he found a disparity among students from privileged and underprivileged backgrounds. He shares that having workshops on social equality and interfaith helps disadvantaged students, makes people from privileged backgrounds conscious, and prompts them to change themselves and their outlook.
Lastly, Ashish expresses deep gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. “For anybody joining Rubaroo, go with an open mind, embrace things, keep your past learnings with you, and over time – you will evolve into a better person,” he advises.
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