YJ International Newsletter 2004 Vol 18 No 02

Author(s): Young Jains (UK)
Publisher: UK Young Jains

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Linkut Make a Difference with Young Jains Link Up
Compiled By Kavit Haria
O
n 12th February 2004, Young Jains began their first service project in the year 2004 by working with LinkUp at a Junior Club to help with various activities for disabled children. LinkUp is a registered charity, which supports and promotes friendship between people with learning disability and others in the community. The main aim is to help these lovely, warm-hearted children to cultivate friendship as well as support them with group activities. It has been providing a service for people with learning disabilities in Harrow for 20 years.
In this world, we see many people with learning disabilities. Their personalities are no different to other peoples and yet they are sometimes viewed differently. Why is this? They have potential like anyone else, unfortunately they don't have easy access to things that most of us take for granted and the lack of opportunity can be a greater handicap than the disability. Friendship is a remarkably powerful way of bringing people in from the margins of society and enabling them to unlock their potential. It is fulfilling Another volunteer, Suraj Shah said, "It was a wicked for everyone involved - people start by expecting to opportunity to jump in there (the karate workshop), give, and end up getting more out of the friendship get our hands dirty (the clay modelling), and generate than they ever pure energy imagined. For more A smiling face and a helping hand outweigh the riches of the world. It -(kids and information about is this thought that inspired me about Link-Up from my experience - grownups loved Rakhee Shah (volunteer) LinkUp, please visit the Mango www.linkup.inuk.com or contact Caroline on High-5s). OK, so some kid kept punching me in the caroline.linkup@ptstream.co.uk or 020 8868 5808. stomach, and the model flopped, but so what?! - Where else can you get away with such reckless fun?" Suraj is Young Jains volunteers' officer. If you would like to volunteer in any way with Young Jains, contact him through www.surajshah.com.
From Young Jains, six volunteers - Adarsh, Roshni, Suraj, Rakhee, Sonal and myself went on a cold Thursday to engage with the wonderful children in the activities that were organised by LinkUp. Two ladies came and gave the children a taster of how fun - making items out of clay could be! Like the kids, the volunteers got dirty and I overheard Rakhee, a volunteer, saying to Mark, "I haven't got this dirty for a long time; it's so fun!"
We got there a little early and met a few friendly parents and introduced ourselves. The cars began to filter in, the kids came out of the cars, excited to be meeting up with friends and engaging in some fantastic activities. We began setting up and everything fell into place. We met Caroline who works with LinkUp. She portrayed a friendliest smile and settled in straightaway. Sonal said, "The people are fantastic. It's just like another Young Jains event where everyone's so warm and juiced!"
Everything was relaxed, as there were many volunteers to help out. There were other volunteers who came from Heathfield School and through the
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. Adarsh said, "The people volunteering were really friendly and helpful".
Later on, Adarsh said to me, "At first, I wasn't sure what to expect at the beginning and I was a bit nervous about working with kids as it's not something I've done on a regular basis." Adarsh concluded, "All in all it was a pleasurable and enjoyable evening where I felt I tried to help out and give 'seva' (service)."
If you would like to take part in this amazing experience and discover the power to make a difference in the lives of children who are less fortunate then us, please register with Roshni Shah on 07790 844328 or 020 89332813.
This article was compiled by Kavit Haria. Kavit is an A level student in London and an active volunteer of Young Jains UK. www.kavitharia.com■
"I never thought there was a future but now I can see that there is" (Deena, a parent about the prospects for her son)
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