The third school in the month of August had much to offer. The management of the school was very friendly and supportive in the initiative of Blood Donation Awareness Week. As soon as the programme was discussed, the school authorities gave us a go ahead signal and also made it mandatory for all the students to participate in the events as they were of the view that it is an opportunity for every student to learn more about Blood Donation and also to showcase hidden talent in each person.
Skit and informative talk: 19th August, 2008.
The program started at 2:30 p.m. A small hall was provided in the school where all the students had gathered. This hall provided the volunteers an opportunity to directly interact with the students. The volunteers presented skit with proper co-ordination and full energy. The informative talks were made more interesting with the addition of posters which would convey the information through images and help the students to clearly understand the entire process. The talks also involved regular interaction with the students keeping the students captured in the event.
An extra addition to the program was the holding of a quiz competition towards the end of the program. The quiz competition added the extra spark to the event as students competed thoroughly. The students were very responsive and all the questions were answered with equal poise.
At the end of the event, the students were distributed brouchers which conveyed the facts and misconceptions about Blood Donation.
Competitions: 22nd August, 2008.
This part of the competition was carried out in two phases. The essay competition was conducted by the school in the morning session of school hours and the afternoon session was handled by the volunteers to conduct painting and elocution.
Essay Writing - Number of participants : 55. The school authorities conducted the competition in the respective classes. With the available variety of topics, students picked their own choice to express their own views.
Painting- Number of participants : 58. This program was conducted in the afternoon session in the school hall. All the students from high school gathered and expressed their ideas in the form of images. All the students expressed their artistic talents in a very easy and understanding manner which was visually appealling.
Elocution - Number of participants : 12.Though many students were apprehensive about participating, with encouragement from the teachers, the students slowly became confident and started participating in the event. They had captured the important facts and presented themselves very well. The participating numbers grew slowly but steadily. Three teachers helped to judge the students. It was another day filled with energy and competition seen among the students. At the end of the events, the volunteers could return back with a smile on their faces knowing that the kids had grasped the message.
Selected Quotes from participants:
"Everyone thiks that doctors save lives. Bout what is doctor if he needs blood to save ?" - A.M.Amesh, 9th std
"Saving a life does not require heroic deeds. We could just do it with small thought and even a samll effort by saying 'YES'." - K.Priyanka, 9th std
"It is very very easy to donate blood.And it is our resposibility to donate blood ." - R.Pruthvi,8th Std
"But it isnt a person's wish whether he wants to donate his precious blood or not instead it is the responsibility of every individual to do so once he is eligible to the conditions." - Preethi D. Anchan , 8th Std
"We donating blood once is not a big acheivement if we can donate blood voluntarily once in three months ." - Akshatha R Naik, 8th Std
"Blood donation is not only donating blood,but donating life, love,affection to the welfare of the unknown" - Chandana,9th Std
"I am not yet 18, as I become 18 the first thing I would do is donate blood.So, wake up and donate blood voluntarily who can donate." - V. Nithin, 10th Std
Prize Distribution: 24th August, 2008
Prize Winners:
Essay:1. Manasa S Joshi (10th Std)
2. V Nithin (10th Std)
Painting: 1. Mohammed Imair(10th Std)
2. Kaxmi Keshavan(9th Std)
Speech: 1. Kiran(8th Std)
The events in the 3rd school ended on a high note and is a signal of encouragement for us to proceed and convey the message to all the future potential donors.