IAGB Spotlight

It has been two whole years since the pandemic hit. Suddenly life came to a standstill and many few had any idea how to navigate the uncharted waters. However almost immediately a spontaneous flow of public response started and numerous constructive channels opened up to encourage and accommodate the voluntary efforts.

‘Ekam Boston’ is one bright example of such efforts. As soon as the world closed down and the frontline workers started an uphill battle, a few thoughtful Samaritans from Lexington came together to provide the PPE so dearly needed at the time. Almost a hundred volunteers of all ages got involved in making and providing hand sewn masks, caps, 3-D printed shields, ear savers, disposable gowns, and sometimes all important food too. They went out of their way to find out where the need was and coordinated their efforts to fulfill it in a timely way.

What happened next is perhaps a differentiating factor for ‘Ekam Boston’. Sensing the enormous energy within the community, Director Nagasree Chakka and her team decided to give it a practical twist. Over the last two years they have been trying to transform the initial outpouring into a formidable and still growing brigade of committed adults and more importantly kids of all ages, to serve the community.

They are working in association with EKAM Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to the wellbeing of underprivileged children and mothers. Despite the motto to serve underprivileged back home, the local chapter’s mandate is multifocal. While contributing to the welfare activities in India it intends to be involved heavily in the local communities here as well. After the heavy lifting of pandemic related work, volunteers have come together to assist and contribute towards homeless shelters, soup kitchens, senior citizen centers, centers for disabled individuals, therapy farms, wildlife sanctuary farms, armed forces and veterans organizations. The nature of the assistance varies according to the beneficiaries’ needs – from food (meal packages) to supplies, from focused attention to physical work.

The crucial yet ancillary part of the mandate is offering help in kind to the underprivileged children in India. Through the efforts of ‘Ekam Boston’ educational needs of students from low funded government schools are sponsored, and even nutritional help is offered through the sustainable wellbeing model of self-grown nutri-gardens in their own backyards. It is imaginative that even to raise money to fund such projects in India the young volunteers contribute to the local communities as they have been creatively earning and contributing to project ‘$20 in 21’.
These highly motivated and extremely self-driven volunteers seem to be up for any kind of service opportunity. As a result they have completed literally hundreds of projects and are spread to many parts of the eastern Massachusetts. They have grown their own team to more than 250 individuals (ages 5 – 88). 9 youth volunteers in the year 2020 and 15 youth and 5 adult volunteers in the year 2021 have been recognized for outstanding service with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award.

IAGB wishes ‘Ekam Boston’ very best for their future endeavors!