For me, one of the most inspiring values at Make A Difference (MAD) is the value of 'Leadership through Ownership'. At MAD, we believe every volunteer can drive change and find solutions to help vulnerable children break the cycle of poverty. Alongside this, MAD's core values of 'Sense of Family' and 'Cause above Self' help to foster a passionate, committed community dedicated to supporting children in need of care and protection. These three values have shaped a vibrant network of volunteers and leaders committed to achieving equitable outcomes for children.
Joining MAD gave me the chance to make a tangible impact on society, particularly in the lives of vulnerable children. What I truly appreciate about volunteering with MAD is how empowered each of us feels to create meaningful change and become leaders in transforming outcomes for the children we support. The movement at MAD seamlessly integrates the mission of breaking inter-generational poverty cycles with youth leadership. From my early days as a volunteer, I have grown into a leadership role, guiding others in making impactful changes. This year, as a community organiser, my goal was to encourage volunteers to take ownership and lead our community, allowing them to experience leadership firsthand.
Leadership Circle: A Hub for Emerging Leaders
The Leadership Circle (LC) at MAD is where leaders are nurtured. Primarily, it is a space for fellows who oversee operations in their cities. Together, they review progress, celebrate successes, address challenges, and plan for the future. However, this time, we extended an invitation to a few volunteers, offering them the chance to review our work and take ownership of key projects.
While MAD provides an intangible space for leadership growth, finding a physical space to host such gatherings has often been a challenge. This time, however, aikyam space became our home for this gathering, perfectly aligning with our mission to empower leaders who care deeply about helping vulnerable children escape poverty. It provided an environment conducive to leadership development and community collaboration. This gathering at aikyam space was more than a meeting; it was a collective of passionate individuals united by the common goal of improving the lives of underprivileged children.
During our time there, we reflected on our achievements from the past season and charted our path forward. The heartfelt stories shared by volunteers highlighted the profound impact we have made, fueling our dreams for the future. We brainstormed ways to enhance our Life Skills and Learning & Development programs, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to grow and succeed. Recognising that volunteers are the lifeblood of MAD, we also focused on improving our onboarding and training processes to ensure every volunteer feels valued and empowered. We explored innovative fundraising ideas and ways to forge stronger partnerships with local schools and organisations. By nurturing these connections, we hope to expand our reach and touch even more lives.
aikyam space: Fostering Leadership and Collaboration
Collaboration was a central theme of our planning session, as we believe working together allows us to leverage our collective strengths. aikyam space provided the perfect setting for this collaboration. The design of the main room and conference area encouraged open discussions and the free flow of ideas. With everyone seated around a large table, we could easily engage with one another, making planning for Season 2 both productive and inspiring.
From the moment we arrived at aikyam space, we felt at home. The warmth and welcoming atmosphere fostered a sense of belonging, allowing us to freely share ideas and insights. The space’s amenities, such as the television for presentations, a long conference table for discussions, writing boards for brainstorming, and fast Wi-Fi for accessing resources, all contributed to an effective and efficient planning session. The environment was comfortable, with ample seating and ventilation, allowing us to focus on our mission without distraction.
We particularly enjoyed the game and library area, which provided a much-needed break from our intense discussions. A card game served as the perfect icebreaker for connecting, while games like Jenga helped us unwind after the sessions.
Conveniently located in the heart of Panampilly Nagar, aikyam space was easily accessible to all attendees. The nearby food and tea spots also allowed us to take quick, refreshing breaks and return to our sessions rejuvenated.
One key takeaway from our experience is the importance of raising awareness about the work aikyam does. Increasing community engagement around aikyam’s initiatives could lead to more collaborations, benefiting both aikyam space and the changemakers who rely on its support. We only recently discovered this space, and it would have been a tremendous asset for our earlier gatherings, saving us time and resources that could have been better directed toward supporting our children.
As we step into Season 2 at aikyam space, we are filled with optimism and determination. The spirit of collaboration and love that filled our time at aikyam space will carry us forward.
