“When I first arrived in the village, I was nervous. Would the community accept me? Would I be able to make a difference? But what I found was warmth, resilience, and hope that will stay with me forever.” – Ananya, PJS Volunteer
As part of PJS’s Health & Nutrition programs, Ananya spent three months in rural Odisha, working with children and mothers to spread awareness about balanced diets, immunization, and hygiene practices.
She recalls sitting under banyan trees with mothers’ groups, teaching simple recipes using local ingredients to improve children’s nutrition. She helped organize health camps where children received check-ups and vaccinations. Most importantly, she listened — to the struggles of mothers walking miles for clean water, to grandmothers raising grandchildren while parents migrated for work, and to children who dreamed of brighter futures.
For Ananya, volunteering was not just about giving — it was about learning. “I came here to teach, but I left with lessons in resilience, community, and the incredible strength of women.”
Her story reminds us that volunteering is a two-way journey — transforming both the giver and the receiver.
➡️ Join our volunteer network and experience the power of working hand-in-hand with communities.
