Why does BHUMI do whatever it does?

Why does BHUMI do whatever it does? Why Education & the Environment?

It's a question lots of people have asked me... Why not clean the beach? Why not fight politics? Why not feed needy children? Why not fight corruption? The list is endless as are the ills that plague this country...
Obviously there are a lots of things a young group of individuals as large as ours can do to Make India a better place but why the focus only on Education and the Environment?

The answer is quite simple, 'We believe that these under-privileged children whom we work with are the latent potential India will need for the future and if we don't act against climate change there simply is no future for India or the human race'

Lastly one of my fav quotes... I think it explains a lot :)
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margret Mead

Cross Posted from The BHUMI, Chennai Blog

BHUMI's Speak Out

“I am running late to work, AGAIN! And my 6 foot tall – stern faced – I can’t smile boss is not going to pardon me this time! Stuck in a traffic jam that is as long as a giraffe’s tongue. I see a mason’s daughter by the pavement making a beautiful sand castle. If only she could afford Education!! Sigh… Will the current situation ever change? Will India see a few more Kalams and Bedis? Would “India, Superpower by 2020” be a dream forever?

Oh, the signal just turned green. Now, vehicles are gonna crawl like ants! If only Batman’s utilities were applicable in the real world. Sci-fi has never impressed me, nevertheless…”

Such writing would make this blog usual!

Welcome to BHUMI!

From a small group of friends teaching at a school in 2006, BHUMI is now a guild of 250 students and young professionals. While educational projects target children of all ages, our environmental and societal initiatives focus on improving the current conditions of the local community.

Our volunteers hope to share their personal experiences and special BHUMI moments on this blog. Kicking off with how our English Teaching programme evolved.

Successful completion of KANINI (our e-literacy initiative) at Anbu Karangal and SOS Village in 2007 meant extending this to more orphanages. That was when I learnt about HOPE Foundation. HOPE is an international organisation that provides shelter, personal and medical care for AIDS affected adults and children.

Even though the children took time to open up, we bonded within weeks. During the course, I learnt that children here did not have answers to many questions: why am I at HOPE, why do I need to pop in capsules day and night, why do I feel drugged all day, how does it feel to be with ‘family’, and many more.

My outlook with respect to the World and its People changed. I realised how one’s hasty decision/action can change the life of another (unintentionally). Tears trickle down every time I think about the quality of life such boys and girls, in contrast to us, lead.

Unfortunately, their level of English was a barrier in proceeding further. That was when BHUMI started discussing the possibility of teaching our children English.

Make a Difference (MAD) an NGO based in Cochin has been teaching destitute children English for the past two years. With assistance from their team, “Speak Out – Make a Difference” started taking shape. Effective campaigning at colleges and workplaces brought in more volunteers.

Now Bhumians are actively teaching at three orphanages and one community centre in Chennai. Trained by The Teacher Foundation (Bangalore) our volunteers are now well equipped with resources from the Cambridge University to make this journey of learning English as interactive as possible!

If you want to be part of this initiative, visit us at www.bhumichennai.org and register!