Vysai Thozargal -- Changing Lives in Vysarpadi -- The Ford Rotary Digital Lab Set up

 

This group of young volunteers based out of North Chennai – to be precise Vysarpadi were an unknown till the Covid Wave 2 showed its fury.

 

This  team of young graduates have been running a Night school for  around 160 children in Vysarpadi for close to ten years or so . They have a piece of land nestled amongst the densely populated houses and huts and Housing Board Flats --on which a shed type arrangement ( Look like a Container  ) has been made (neat and clean and well maintained ) and children of various ages come in during the evening hours and are taught various subjects. The Night school is run by these fiercely determines group of graduates who want to change the perception/ the tag that North Chennai is known for and believe that this change can happen only through Education and Education.

 

Well what made them well known during the second wave ? 

Noticing that there was shortage of beds and more in particular Oxygen availability, this bunch opened up some of the autorickshaws that they ply in their spare time, fitted them with O2 cylinders  and saved lives of close to 200 people who were administered O2 in these autos and later shifted to hospitals when beds became available. This was largely unnoticed with several other good deeds done during the terrible second wave -- until a Reality show brought them all together. Sharath one of the volunteers and a pracitising advocate spoke in the show and he spoke with great  conviction and what the group wanted to do for their area and enhance the lives of people. 

I too watched the show and was really impressed … I got in touch with them through FB . They invited me over to see what they are doing .   I was convinced post my visit that the Night school was something that can get lot of help in terms of infrastructure ,  furniture computers and so on … We got to work and then after some collaborative efforts , we were able to draw out a plan to set up 15 workstation  ( Desks ) and chairs . We also needed computers.  The Board of Rotary Madras South – the club of which I am member quickly approved the project indicating that this was something that would go a long way to support the Vysai Thozargal dream .  Ford Motor CSR program of Digital Literacy ensure availability of Computers – the very best of them.

The Furniture supplier also come forward and agreed to contribute to the project and came down heavily on his prices and installation— Wiring was done as well --everything was falling in place a for a  good cause. 

The entire computer lab was set up in two weeks’ time with great support by the volunteers.  And our Rotary President said come what may we have to Inaugurate on August 15^th –

And so we did – With a small number of people attending ,  Rotary District Governor J Sridhar inaugurated the facility and hosted the national flag – The Vysai Thozargal team was so thankful  to all of us .

District Governor shared several tips to keep the Computer lad in shape and in operating mode . 

Some more work needs to be done :

UPS support for the Desktops,Internet Support,Tiling of the floors

I am sure all this happen during the coming weeks – We just have the momentum to do the best for this deserving school. 

This group of volunteers are fear less , so dedicated to giving the best for this suburb of North Chennai and with all able help and with them now in the right support groups of getting help , I see them doing well and making a BIG Change

To me so far , it was a super opportunity to collaborate with these youngsters—They provided me plenty of energy ,provoking  thought process on getting things done . do not give up  and a fearless attitude and time was no barrier in going after your goals … Truly blessed to get this opportunity to serve.

Way to   Go Vysai Thozargalay  😊

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