The first year JPEnglish and EPS students of CHRIST (Deemed to be University) were happy Mr Joseph Edward Felix proposed a visit to a nearby old age home. The students happily volunteered to go in groups of twenty, each Sunday between 10 to 12. It was not made compulsory and the students could volunteer to go any Sunday when they wanted to with the groups. Supriyo from 1 JPEnglish, took the initiative being a regular visitor to this old age home. He made all the arrangements and spoke to Mother Ellen and got permission and also informed her of our visit.The class visited the old age home on 29 June, 06 July, 13 July and 20 Jul 2014. Each Sunday Morning, at ten a new group of young enthusiasts were ready to spend some time at the old age home. – Home for the Aged run by Little Sisters of the Poor on Richmond Road.

Objectives

To create awareness among students about the neighbourhood

To sensitize students to social work

To sensitize students to the predicaments and problems of aged people

To become aware of the joy of serving and being with the aged

The students visited the women`s building. As soon as they stepped in, the women cheered to see them. The students joined hands and greeted them with a Namaste, some went along shaking hands and some said a hello. They conversed with the  ladies and even sang for them. After that, they moved to the men`s section and talked to the gentlemen there. At eleven-thirty, they served food to the ladies and helped the sisters with the washing up of the dishes.

To wrap it up in simple words, it was a wonderful experience and an opportunity to discover empathy within ourselves.