M.N.A Hazim Shafii's Portfolio
Volunteer Work in India
A life changing experience in the Land of Spices as I work closely with local medical team and activists at hospitals, orphanages and Home for People With Autism in South India. (Please click on the pictures below to view slideshow).
It was in late 2013 when I first came to Bangalore, Karnataka during my gap year, a few months after I completed my International Baccalaureate diploma program. I was one of the few foreigners that had signed up to be part of the good work of an NGO known as Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO) that offers help and services to orphanages and hospitals in rural parts of Karnataka. During my short time in India, I have visited and worked as a volunteer at the Sri Krishna Balaniketan Orphanage and Asare Home for People With Autism. I also was fortunate enough to be introduced to a local muslim NGO, Darul Khayr and was shown their work in helping the minority community of Indian Muslims in Karnataka.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) taking medical history of a little boy before he meets the doctor at Sri Krishna Balaniketan Orphanage
The picture shows me in a red shirt (at the centre) taking medical history of the patients before they meet the dermatologist.
This picture was taken during lunch break, I (in red shirt at the most right) was having a discussion with the other volunteers when a 6 year old boy came and sat on my lap. We took a picture naturally.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) taking medical history of a little boy before he meets the doctor at Sri Krishna Balaniketan Orphanage
Volunteering at Sri Krishna Balaniketan Orphanage
Sri Krishna Balaniketan Orphanage is located in Udupi, Karnataka, approximately six to eight hours journey by bus from Bangalore. Every few months, Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO) would organise a Medical and Dental Camp at the orphanage for the locals in Udupi. The initiative saw the involvement of general medical practitioners, dentists and medical specialists like dermatologist, pediatrician and cardiologist to provide free medical consultation and medicines.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) with Akash, an autistic boy holding hands as I was walking away from Asare Home for People With Autism.
The picture shows me (in white shirt) with one of the residents of Asare Home during the drawing session.
The picture shows me (in white shirt) with the residents of Asare Home. It is a norm in India that men hold hands to show friendly affections and brotherly love which took me a while to get accustomed to this new culture.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) with Akash, an autistic boy holding hands as I was walking away from Asare Home for People With Autism.
Volunteering at Asare Home for People With Autism
Asare Home for People With Autism is located in Manipal, Karnataka which is less than an hour from the town of Udupi. The Asare Home was first started by Archana Trust, an organization that aims to promote general welfare of mentally challenged in Udupi district. There were at least 20 residents that live in the home with no less than 8 staffs to take care of them. Before we begin our activities with the residents, we were warned of certain members of the home that have the history of being violent and should be left alone. I notice that the female and male residents were living under the same roof and of different age
The picture shows me (in red shirt) with the students of Madrasah Tu Salafiya, a religious school that teaches muslims across the South India about Islam and the Quran.
Madrasah Tu Salafiya was planned to be a 3 storey building that accommodates almost 50 students to learn Islam and the Quran. The ground floor is fully functioning while the upper floors are being slowly constructed depending on the availability of funds.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) in a discussion with the founders of Madrasah Tu Salafiya on how the NGO Darul Khayr would able to help the school.
The picture shows me (in red shirt) with the students of Madrasah Tu Salafiya, a religious school that teaches muslims across the South India about Islam and the Quran.
Volunteering with Darul Khayr
Darul Khayr is a muslim NGO that is based in Udupi, Karnataka with the aim to support and protect the rights of the Muslim minority community in India. During my time in India, I was fortunate to meet brother Nowshad, an activist of Darul Khayr. Brother Nowshad is a local that works as an engineer in Saudi Arabia. He was kind enough to invite me to join one of the Darul Khayr projects and see for myself how his NGO is trying to improve the life of the Muslim minority in the Southern part of India.