Three more feathers in the hat of Lit the Light Career Wing Team

 

“Achieve your goal with true spirits"

The success story of Sudarshan

Mr. Sudarshan is a true achiever of goals amidst challenges. Right after graduation, Sudarshan acquired a job that required working on the computer for more than 17 hours a day. He pulled on until 2017 when it took a toll on his retina, he had to give up his well-paid job and focus on retrieving his eyesight. He was initially perturbed about his condition but with encouragement from friends and family, he was able to find a way out of the dark tunnel. He says it’s a Himalayan effort to learn accounting through a process using Text Reader. He was enthusiastic to venture into the new world. He is indebted to Lit the Light career wing team as he was offered an Accounting Consultant job at FINT solutions Pvt. Ltd. through their continued support. He is extremely happy with his current working environment and the appreciation he receives from his team as a trendsetter in this field of accounting in an MNC and his achievement would be to march forward to lead the future generation with Visual Challenges.

The success story of Ashok Kumar

Mr. Ashok Kumar is an inspiration to lead and take control of life. He hails from a town village near Madurai and lost vision in an accident at the age of 8. He took Braille training for 2 years and completed his basic education in Madurai. He was supported by his grandmother who had economic challenges, but she managed to provide good education and a secure home to him. He completed his graduation in English from Presidency college Chennai and Post-graduation from Pondicherry. He was identified and supported by the Lit the Light career wing as a self-motivated young communicator. His good knowledge in both English and Tamil writing along with excellent computer skills elevated his position as a blogger, coding expert, and web designer. He is appreciated as a quick learner, smart worker with excellent management skills. Beehive Communication Club recognized his talent and offered him a job in the Communications Department where he confidently handles FAQs of students who wish to join the course and guides them to register. His excellent academic background and quick access to computers are add-on skills to his profession. He is extremely happy with his team who eagerly assist him when he has to fill in Google Sheets concerning payment of fees and other finance-related forms. He is comfortable working on the laptop with various computer languages he learned during the initial years to struggle to thrive in a world full of colors. His experiential learning through E-text and his confidence to win is the formula for his success.

The success story of Balapriya

Ms. Balapriya is a ‘Go Getter’ she has different challenges to handle both physically and visually [partially] she survived the whole with complete support from her family members. Hailing from a town like Dindigul she has explored the world around her with a dynamic approach. She has actively participated in extension activities like NSS and village placement programs in her college.  She is a postgraduate in English and a professionally qualified teacher.  She is also a confident team player, adaptive to changes as a leader. With her excellent speech and writing background, she utilized the opportunity to associate herself with the Lit the Light Career Wing Team. She was successfully placed as a Tele Caller and Admin of BCC at Beehive Communication Club. She is involved full-fledged with spreading the news about her institution through her sophisticated English communication skills. She is thankful to the Lit the light team, family, and friends for the support and guidance to secure a job she enjoys.

Beehive, a hive of pulsating young minds who work together to create reverberations in the field of soft skills training. Our team appreciates them for offering opportunities to the talented to grow and to expand.

Our Sincere Thanks to Beehive Communication Club and FINT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for Inclusive hiring Visually Challenged Talents

Volunteering can be Virtual Too - Audio Books...Record and help them Learn

Hello All,

Once again...Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series. Today we want to present the testimony of our coordinator “Mrs. Bhahirathi (aka) Rathi” sharing her experience and moments with Lit the Light in simple words.  She is here to express herself on "What?... How?... Why?... and few more questions on dedicating her time, volunteering with Lit the Light"…in her own words.

These testimonies are considered as an assessment of Lit the Light’s performance and work on improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been part of us during our ups and downs. To continue with... Here's our Rathi, a dedicated Audio Book recording coordinator, supporting us as a valuable team lead for our Bahrain recording team.
 
Lit the Light's Coordinator Rathi’s words on travel with us…

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Hi, I’m Bahirathi, a senior HR officer at Rahim Holdings in Bahrain. I moved to Bahrain when I was 20 years old to stay with my mother and have settled here ever since. I’m now happily married to my husband and have a 6-year-old son. I don’t have much time to pursue my hobbies after marriage but I do enjoy reading a lot!

 

2. How did you hear about LTL and why did you decide to start volunteering here? 

Right from school, I was always a part of volunteering programs. I was raised by a single mother, so I know how difficult it is to not have something. When I moved to Bahrain, I felt like people labeled NRI citizens as financial support and I didn’t like the identity that people put on me. So apart from financial support, I started findings ways to support people even though I lived far away. I saw a Facebook post about Lit the Light and started helping them out with recording audios for the visually challenged, but over time I felt a level of satisfaction and a drive to do more grow in me. I still remember a college-going student who I had helped out for 6 years who now has a senior managerial role in a Bank!

3. What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most?

Through Lit the Light I was able to make beautiful friendships and bonds with people I have never physically met before. To continue to support these students, I expanded my role by finding like-minded people in Bahrain and created a team of 30 people. I am amazed by the help and support we receive from the senior citizens who are a part of our team. When you give them an assignment, they finish it even a day before the deadline. I was able to learn disciple and how to handle commitments from my team members. We have a 60-year-old couple on our team who record and scribe for students to this day. Their son even equipped them with the necessary equipment for them to record audiobooks comfortably! Lit the Light is very close to my heart and I enjoy being part of a positive circle of people who support and appreciate each other.

4.  What is your most memorable experience volunteering here? 

I am able to make a difference in somebody’s life without knowing what they look like; they don’t know me, I don’t know them but through this medium, I feel like I can completely feel another soul. We create a face, an identity just like how the students create one as they listen to our audio. It’s like supporting them through their own way of living and I think that’s beautiful. These students live in different corners of the world, but when they send me and my family members voice messages wishing us on festive days, I somehow feel a deeper connection just by listening to their voice notes.

5. Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL? 

My message is simple. If you just have the right intention, you can support another in so many different ways. People assume that just because they don’t have the money or the time to help they can’t make a difference, but they don’t realize that there are so many different ways to help. If you can’t record a book, you can scan it. If you can’t scan a book, you can scribe. If a person who is miles across can do it, so can you! If you put one positive act out into the universe, I believe it’ll give back to you in ten folds. However, It’s not only about getting anything back, it’s the fact that I’m able to give back something so positive among all the disasters and bad things that are happening in the world. I am so grateful for being a part of Lit the Light and being able to do something that has added so much value to my life.

Lit the Light thanks Rathi and appreciates her for her time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible way...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Rathi is one of the indispensable backbones of our organization and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Rathi, for your time…support…and most of all, for being part of Lit the Light’s Team.

Compiled by Nandita Vaidyanathan, LTL Volunteer 

Volunteering makes us a better person - By Usha, Lit the Light Volunteer

 Hello All,

Once again...Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series. Today we want to present the testimony of our coordinator “Mrs. Usha” sharing her experience and moments with Lit the Light in simple words.  She is here to express herself on "What?... How?... Why?... and few more questions on dedicating her time, volunteering with Lit the Light"…in her own words.

These testimonies are considered as an assessment of Lit the Light’s performance and work on improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been part of us during our ups and downs. To continue with... Here's our Mrs. Usha, a dedicated coordinator, a valuable team lead, supporting us with scribe requests, as a reader, and also in many other field activities as well.

 

Lit the Light's Coordinator Mrs. Usha’s words on travel with us…

•  Can u tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi, I’m Usha and I am a homemaker. I spend a lot of my time reading and listening to music!

•  How did you hear about LTL and why did you decide to start volunteering here?

I have a daughter and I’ve spent most of my life being busy taking care of her. When she went off to college, I finally had time for myself and felt like it was time for me to do something meaningful (I was never particularly interested in watching tv serials anyway!). A few years back, I had read an article about Lit the Light in a newspaper and was really impressed with their work, so I cut the newspaper article and kept it aside to contact them after my daughter went off to college. I finally called up Mr.Barath and asked him how I could offer my support to help the visually impaired. Ever since that call, I have been coordinating, assigning, and managing work between volunteers and students. I constantly ask for feedback and suggestions on ways to improve our services from the students themselves. Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic severely affecting the lifestyle of the visually impaired students, I have received several calls from students personally asking me for help and support. But thanks to the help of our team of volunteers, we were able to gather all the details and managed to handle it smoothly.

•  What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most? What is your most memorable experience volunteering here?

The joy of doing something for somebody without expecting anything in return is simply magical. Just a simple "thank you" from these students is rewarding enough. Every moment that I have spent volunteering with LTL has been memorable because I have realized that spending my time and energy to help these students doesn’t just make the world better, It has made me a better person as well. It has boosted my happiness, health, and my overall sense of well-being.

•  Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL?

My message is simple-Just do whatever you can, however small, to give back to society. If you think you don’t have the time, that’s okay! Lit the light is very flexible, you can offer help from the comforts of your own home. Try to spare just a few hours to really make a difference in someone’s life. You have the education and resources to help those in need, please use it.

 

 

Lit the Light thanks Usha and appreciates her for her time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible way...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Usha is one of the indispensable backbones of our organization, and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Usha, for your time…support…and most of all, for being part of Lit the Light’s Team.

Compiled by Nandita Vaidyanathan, LTL Volunteer 

Hello, I am Yukesh...LTL Volunteer - Madurai

 Hello All,

Once again...Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series. Today we want to present the testimony of our coordinator “Mr. Yukesh” sharing his experience and moments with Lit the Light in simple words.  He is here to express himself on "What?... How?... Why?... and few more questions on dedicating his time, volunteering with Lit the Light"…in his own words.

These testimonies are considered as an assessment of Lit the Light’s performance and work on improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been part of us during our ups and downs. To continue with... Here's our Mr. Yukesh, a dedicated coordinator, a valuable team lead, supporting us with scribe requests, as a reader, and also in many other field activities too in our Madurai, Tamil Nadu area.

Lit the Light's Coordinator Mr. Yukesh’s words on travel with us…

• Can u tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hey, I’m Yukesh! I’m from Madurai but I’ve been working as a PCB design engineer in Coimbatore for the past 4 years. Apart from engaging myself in social work, I enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing video games! I’m also very passionate about music and play the guitar.

 

• How did you hear about LTL and why did you decide to start volunteering here?

In 2015, I came across an LTL post on WhatsApp, intrigued by the work done by the organization I had contacted Mr. Barath, the founder of LTL. However, seeing that the organization was mainly based in Chennai, I was not able to help out. In 2016, after having graduated from college, I got a call from Mr. Barath saying that they would like to extend their work to Madurai as well and was wondering if I would like to be in charge of coordinating the services here. I was very keen about saying yes, however, I told him that I didn’t know how to go about it. Barath offered to help me out and constantly guided me through the process. I first approached the ‘Indian Association for Blind’ and the ‘St. Joseph Blind Trust’ in Madurai to offer them my support. They were so grateful for our support as they said that there were very few people who volunteered and had the teachers themselves scribe for the students. I am happy to say that within a period of four years, we were able to see significant growth in the number of volunteers in both schools and colleges.

• What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most?

The students would often tell me that before we started helping them out, they would not be able to even think about studying for their exams as they were tensed about looking for people who would volunteer to scribe for them. Now, they feel like they don’t have to worry about finding a scribe and could put all their energy into studying as they are confident, we will arrange one. Just a simple ‘thank you I receive from these students, fills my heart with joy and motivates me to continue doing my best for the Visually Challenged Community. 

• What is your most memorable experience volunteering with LTL?

Every minute I spend interacting with these students and listening to their stories is memorable. Their positive energy is very palpable and the sheer joy I see on their faces after aiding them with their exams fills me up to the brim with happiness. 

• Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL?

Firstly, you need to remember that your personal life will be affected and that there might be times you might feel like there is no time for you to volunteer. But time shouldn’t be a factor at all because you can always make time to help these students out. For instance, I work nearly 17 hours a day and get an average of 4 hours of sleep, but I make it a point to devote some time to volunteering. Secondly, try to really listen to the needs and wants of each individual. I would ask the students which tone and style of reading they are most comfortable with and accordingly coordinate with the volunteers. Feedback is always important! our motto I try to run by is "No one can help everyone but everyone can help someone", this drives me to do my part in bettering the community, and hope it drives you too.

Lit the Light thanks Yukesh and appreciates him for his time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible way...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Yukesh is one of the indispensable backbones of our organization, who is instrumental in helping us spread our wings in Madurai and adjoining areas… and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Yukesh, for your time…support…and most of all, for being part of Lit the Light’s Team.

Compiled by Nandita Vaidyanathan, LTL Volunteer 

 

I am Theo, I am a Lit the Light Volunteer

Hello All,

Once again...Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series. Today we want to present the testimony of our coordinator “Ms. Theofilla Paul” sharing her experience and moments with Lit the Light in simple words.  She is here to express herself on "What?... How?... Why?... and few more questions on dedicating her time, volunteering with Lit the Light"…in her own words.

These testimonies are considered as an assessment of Lit the Light’s performance and work on improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been part of us during our ups and downs. To continue with... Here's our Ms. Theo, a dedicated coordinator, a valuable team lead, supporting us with scribe requests, as a reader, and also in many other field activities too.

Lit the Light's Coordinator Ms. Theofilla Paul's Testimony

1. Can u tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hey, I’m Theofilla, a software engineer at Scientific Labs. I enjoy drawing, reading, and freelance writing in my free time!

2. How did you hear about LTL and why did you decide to start volunteering here?
One of my friends shared a post from LTL on our friend group, so I looked up the organization on the ‘Grassroots’ app and was intrigued by its vision and mission statement. I didn’t really go out that much and felt this was an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new, so I thought to myself ‘why not give this a shot?’. My first volunteer activity was to scribe for a model exam at Presidency College and ever since I’ve always tried my best to be consistent, so Barath offered me to be a scribe coordinator.

3. What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most?
I think helping even in the smallest way can make a significant impact on someone’s life, and in the process, you help yourself too. Not everyone can do this consistently and that’s okay! One needs to realize that spending even a day of your week volunteer can be helpful, it gives you an awareness of the kind of life people lead and how resilient and determined they remain no matter what life throws their way. I know many people throw around this word a lot but volunteering here has truly given me a sense of meaningfulness and fulfillment.

4. What is your most memorable experience volunteering with LTL?
I think the most memorable experience volunteering at LTL is attending the Read Fest. I was able to witness the many talents of the visually challenged up close and I was so thrilled to see them perform so confidently with no inhibitions. LTL made sure to give recognition to every single volunteer and that made me feel fulfilled and appreciated.

5. Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL?
I’d say just give it a try! It’s not difficult, it’s very flexible and convenient for your timings. If you can’t physically go and help, there is always the option of recording audiobooks. People always assume volunteering is some huge responsibility and that it’s saintly work, but it’s really no different from going out and watching a movie, it’s just another fun activity. In fact, I even introduced LTL to my friends, they were initially hesitant, but then realized how joyful it is to meet these people and felt it was a day well spent. So don’t be afraid to volunteer, just do it!

Lit the Light thanks Theo and appreciates her for her time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible way...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Theo is one of the indispensable backbones of our organization and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Theo, for your time…support…and most of all, for being part of Lit the Light’s Team.

Compiled by Nandita Vaidyanathan, LTL Volunteer 

I am Varalakshmi, I am a Lit the Light Volunteer

 

Hello All,

Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series again and more ahead…, here we want to present the testimony of our coordinator “Ms. Varalakshmi” sharing her experience in simple words, on "What?... How?... Why?... and few more questions on dedicating her volunteering to Lit the Light"…in her own words. These testimonies are considered as an assessment of Lit the Light’s performance and work on improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been part of us during our ups and downs. To continue with... Here's our Core Team Member, a senior coordinator, a valuable team lead, supporting us with scribe requests and many other field activities too. This is an article for and by Ms. Varalakshmi on Lit the Light, her experiences, views, suggestions, and thoughts in her own words.  

 

1. Can u tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hello! I’m Varalakshmi and I’ve been working as an assistant professor in the Electronics and Communications department at S.A Engineering college for the past three years. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and challenging myself to learn new things. In fact, I have been teaching myself sign language this quarantine!

 

2. How did you hear about LTL and why did you decide to start volunteering here?

During the 2016 Vardha cyclone period in Chennai, my father’s colleague from work added me to the Lit the Light WhatsApp group so that I can support those in need as much as possible. Since I had just finished my B.E in Electronics and Communication at S.A Engineering College, I was looking forward to spending time volunteering for the community, just a thought to give back my support to the society that supports us all…hence I chose Lit The Light. My first task was to scribe for a student writing their entrance exam for college admission. Following that, I volunteered to teach blind children basic communication skills and help out with their education at the “Poonamalle Government school for the visually challenged” every Sunday along with Mr. Barath, Founder of Lit the Light. Ever since, I have continued to volunteer at LTL by helping out in every way that I can, from scribing, coordinate scribe requests, and also reading for the inner visionaries.

 

3. What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most?

I would say that I don’t volunteer out of pity or sympathy, rather, I do it because I feel it is my responsibility as an individual belonging to this society to give back what I can to support those in need. As a volunteer for the visually challenged, I can strongly say our empathy gives them the strength to perform with confidence. I am glad I could make a small difference in someone’s life whilst doing what I am most passionate about--teaching!

 

4. What is your most memorable experience volunteering with LTL?

I have several memorable moments volunteering for LTL, but spending the New Year’s Day with the visually challenged children at Government school for visually challenged, Poonamallee tops the list! I had a great time cutting the cake and celebrating the day with them. Another memorable moment I have is, attending the Read Fest, an extensive reading campaign for the visually impaired, hosted by LTL 2019 & 2020 (fortunately before the pandemic started). I had the opportunity to meet different people and hear their fascinating stories. Another moment I will always cherish is inaugurating the Lit the Light ACT, center for visually challenged career training and support in Porur along with my peers, it is a day I will never forget!

 

5. Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL?

I think the most important part of being a volunteer is to listen. Listen to the needs of the student and make sure you are patient and involved with them. Because at the end of the day, they are no different from you and me, so treat them with respect and kindness.

     Lit the Light thanks Varalakshmi and appreciates her for her time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible way...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Varalakshmi is one of the indispensable backbones of our organization and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Varalakshmi, for your time…support…and most of all, for being part of Lit the Light’s Team.

 

Compiled by Nandita Vaidyanathan, LTL Volunteer

Myself, Karthik - A Lit the Light Volunteer

 Hello All,

Welcome to Lit the Light's Coordinator aka Leads Blog Series, here we want to hear from our coordinating team about "What?... How?... Why?...and few more questions" as it comes...directly to our leads.  This can be considered as an assessment of our performance, and any improvement suggestions (if any) from our Leads, who have been with us during our ups and downs. To start with... Here's our Core Team Member, a senior coordinator, our Audiobook recording and Audio Library lead Karthik, and his experience with Lit the Light. 

1.      1.     Can you tell us a little about yourself?

 
Hi, I’m Karthik, an engineering graduate working in Eaton as a scheduler. I’m a Planning Engineer, currently staying in Pondicherry. I’m passionate about planning and executing projects on time. I’ve always liked meeting new people and hearing their experiences, their life story and what they’ve been through.

2.      How did you hear about Lit the light and why did you decide to start volunteering here?
 
I had found LTL through a Facebook post by the founder, Barath, and went on to partake in my very first volunteer project of scribing for college students. I further went on to record audiobooks for students pursuing a degree in M.A English Literature for a month, and after that, I have been committed to volunteering and coordinating activities ever since.
 
3.      What aspects of being a volunteer do you like the most?
 
Coordinating and being associated with Lit the Light is my passion. Having said that, I am able to balance passion and my professional work at the same time felt fulfilling and assisting the visually-impaired students with their exams and other academic work was a challenge we were able to overcome together. I was also able to relate my time with Lit the Light as a form of relieving my work pressure as it helped me divert my energy towards serving the community. Doing my part to make a difference in our society has enabled me to work towards a better cause and I couldn’t be more thankful.
 
4.      What is your most memorable experience volunteering with Lit the Light?
 
The day I finished recording my first audio book for Ravi, a student pursuing M.A Literature, I was filled with a sense of satisfaction and purpose. Also, being part of the team that started the Lit the Light-ACT in Porur, a training center that equips the visually impaired with special education that provides them with the necessary tools required to navigate their path towards employment taught me a lot about their perseverance and determination to make it in today’s fast-paced world despite their disability and motivated me as an individual as well.
 
5.      Do you have any message for anyone who wants to join us at LTL Volunteer team?
 
If you want to be part of an initiative that not only celebrates the talents of the visually impaired but also promotes inclusion and accessibility, Lit the Light Trust is exactly what you’re looking for. Work with the students by trying to connect with them on a personal level by understanding their needs to gain a soulful experience. Most importantly, to be part of this team, you should understand these students' needs your empathy, and never your sympathy. It’s not about holding their hand and pushing them forward, it is about putting our hand on their shoulder and guiding them along their side.

 

     Lit the Light thanks Karthik and appreciates him for his time and support for the upliftment of the Visually Challenged community in every possible...Lit the Light takes the opportunity, rather proud to brag that Karthik is one of the indispensable backbone of our organization and a role model for many other volunteers. Thanks again Karthik. 

Article by Ms. Nandhita Vaidyanathan