Shagun Sharma
Imagine a world where everyone just took a little time from his hectic schedule to assist another person. Imagine the impact that kindness could have. What if all of us vowed to give back a little in any way possible? It could be mentoring a kid, providing books, sponsoring a meal, or just giving an ear to a needy person. Change doesn’t need Herculean effort most of the time, it begins with small steps, done regularly.
In a world that seems to be going too fast, where individuals are trapped in the never-ending race toward individual achievement, the practice of giving back can remind them of what is important. At other times, it only takes a moment, an experience, to open our eyes and make us appreciate the strength of kindness. Being students of Amity Business School, Noida, we recently got the opportunity to spend time at an NGO at their Okhla Centre in Noida.
This NGO was founded in 2014 with the vision to inspire and empower dreams. It is a registered NGO that works for the underprivileged sections of the society. What sets it apart is its wide and comprehensive approach. It operates on various causes, going beyond age, gender, and background limits. The NGO actively engages in education, healthcare, skill development, and relief, connecting beneficiaries with donors who have the capability to cause actual change.
The organization operates several projects, such as shelter homes for homeless people, educational initiatives for poor children, and medical assistance to needy individuals. Their dream is to make the world one where no desire remains unfilled and all people, irrespective of their status, get an equitable chance at life.
Yesterday, when we walked into the NGO, the children welcomed us with warm smiles and hopeful eyes. We had some activities, games, and small lessons on social service and compassion prepared, but what we didn’t anticipate was how much we would learn from them as well. Their innocence, laughter, and dreams were contagious. We played, we chatted, and most importantly, we listened. They told us their stories, their dreams, and their struggles.
There was one small girl, Khushi, who clasped our hands and said, “Didi, will you come again?” Her words remained in our hearts. At that moment, we understood that kindness is not necessarily about big gestures-it’s about being there, about giving a person your time, attention, and love. It’s about showing up.
What began as a casual visit became a warm and enlightening experience, an experience that left an indelible impression in our hearts. Sitting with these children for a few hours taught us something precious: that sometimes, all one needs is to be heard and seen. We are living in a world where individuals are always looking for validation in the form of social media likes and comments, but these children were happy with the simplest things: a game of tag, a new story, or simply holding hands.
Their joy wasn’t material but based on true human interaction. Individuals tend to shy away from helping social causes as they feel they don’t have a lot to give. But kindness isn’t about money. It can be as basic as spending time with the needy, providing a skill, or even just providing words of encouragement. Whether it’s your time, talent, or resources, every bit helps. What we often forget is that in giving, we receive much more in return. The joy, the fulfillment, and the love that comes from helping others are unmatched. That day we didn’t just give our time-we received lessons in gratitude, resilience, and hope. We saw first hand how one act of kindness could bring so much light into someone’s life.
The world can do with more organizations such as organizations that toil ceaselessly to reduce the divide between the better-off and the underprivileged. However, NGOs alone cannot bring about change; the effort has to be collective. If each one of us pledges to do just one act of kindness a week, just think of the change that can be effected.
As we walked out of the NGO that afternoon, we had with us not only memories but a newfound purpose. The world teaches us to think of ourselves first and how well we did, but our true success lies in what we do to others. In the smiles of those children, in Khushi’s hopeful smile, we caught a glimpse of the world we aspire to create-one that is compassionate, loving, and limitless in its giving.
We encourage you all to do your share, no matter how small it seems. Volunteer, donate, learn, or simply spread the word. Because when we give, we don’t just empower others-we empower ourselves. Let’s be the smile someone sees today. Let’s make waves of change, ripple by ripple.
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