A Social Trek
May 30, 2010. Prema Vasana, a home for differently-abled and abandoned children in Chennai, was awake early with many young eyes waiting for some friends to visit. The children here are well-cared-for by the home, but seldom get an opportunity to go out and enjoy nature. That is exactly what our group of 60+ volunteers from Chennai Trekking Club (CTC) planned to give them – an experience in the wilderness of Nagala hills in A.P.
Our journey began with us picking up all the kids. We had about a dozen cars carrying the kids and us to Nagala. The journey to the Nagala waterfalls was a lot of fun – especially the scenic drive and the fun-filled conversations in the cars. We could hear voices singing from all of the CTC vehicles.
On reaching the start point, each kid was given appropriate footwear and assigned to an adult who would guide him/her through the trek. We walked through an open stretch of land into shaded hills, crossed tiny streams, and reached the waterfall in about three hours. Within minutes everyone was in the water splashing away, adults and children alike. The volunteers carefully watched out for the safety of the kids. All of them were provided with swimming floats while in the water.
We set off on our journey back from the waterfalls after lunch, and the day came to an end as we returned to the foot of the hills. The energy had remained high throughout the day and as the children headed back one couldn’t help notice the smile that connected all their tired faces.
CTC called it a social trek, the tiny tots called it a picnic day, for me it was a realization that even the smallest deed can make a difference, its just a matter of taking the initiative. The children enjoyed this very different experience – Mission Accomplished. Kudos to CTC, yet again!
Please visit chennaitrekkers.org to know more about the regular social treks organized by CTC.
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Good deed Nihit. Keep it up!