A new assignment is always accompanied by an array of experiences ranging from satisfaction and a sense of achievement, to anxiousness and concern. For me, my experience as a volunteer researching a topic close to my heart, was an opportunity to fulfill my dream.
As a UN Online Volunteer, the need of the A.R.C. Worldwide Trust for online volunteers caught my attention. The A.R.C. Worldwide Trust was in need of volunteers who could research/undertake reviews on developmental issues. This suited my needs as I was looking forward to working on assignments that would be enriching, fulfilling, and at the same time, be a tiny little step towards creating awareness on crucial issues of human development.
With a lot of anticipation and hope, I applied online for this particular assignment and to my delight received a communication in the affirmative in just a day’s time. Natasha Tassell, a Trustee of the A.R.C. Worldwide Trust, gave me complete freedom to review and write a research report on any aspect concerning the girl child or adolescents and related issues. Since I was already working on my MPhil in Sociology with my dissertation on “Impact of IEC in RH amongst Adolescent Girls”, deciding to review adolescents was my obvious choice and I immediately embarked on the work, with the consent of the Trust.
While writing or reviewing any issue that requires detailed research, binding terms and conditions, imposition of views, or demand of a particular writing style can crimp the research as well as expression of the researcher. If these are deterrents for meaningful research, I can only say that in my short stint as a volunteer for the A.R.C. Worldwide Trust, I never faced it. It was an interesting learning experience for me, and of course fulfilling and gratifying.
This assignment on adolescent girls in India, exposed me to several aspects and issues related to this age group. Aspects which I had not taken up in my MPhil work, also came into focus. This voluntary assignment revealed many of the complexities and issues pertaining to adolescents, and highlighted that so much more has to be done with need based interventions and group specific programmes.
It gives me immense satisfaction that this research has been appreciated and acknowledged by the A.R.C. Worldwide Trust. During the course of the assignment, there was continuous exchange of notes with the Trust and most of my suggestions were accepted, which enabled me to express my views and articulate my ideas the way I wanted to. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Natasha Tassell and Susan Bolitho for the same. I hope that this assignment is only the beginning of my association with the Trust which would be followed by other opportunities to work on various developmental issues.
Anuradha Panda lives in India and was a volunteer for the A.R.C Worldwide Trust from August-October 2007. During her time, Anuradha completed the report "Adolescent Girls in India". Her report has been published by the Trust, and is available for download in our publications section or by contacting us.
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