Summary
Gautham started his organization named Fireflies in 2020. His goal is to increase the environmental and social consciousness of the youth.
By Gautham NC
When was the last time you saw a firefly? Where do they go? Where do they come from? Ever thought about it? It’s only during the dark, that we get a chance to see them, right?
Their light isn’t that bright to erase the entire darkness and show us the path, but when the whole area is dark, even that tiny spark from a firefly gives us the most precious power called ‘hope’. Our organization is named ‘fireflies’ for a reason. There is a spark inside every individual and what we do is, get together at the point where someone is in need of help and glow together, as bright as we can.
One of our activities was with a group of blind persons who needed a spark of light. They were members of an association with office space, but the space surrounding the office was covered with weeds and bushes, which made it difficult to get around. Though several attempts were made to clear the weed, it kept on growing back. A solution was found by making a vegetable garden, which created a win-win situation. But soon another problem came up. As all members were partially or completely blind it was difficult for them to maintain the vegetable garden. That’s where the fireflies came to help. Our young and vibrant volunteers joined hands to bring this idea into reality.
Arya, who has been volunteering with Fireflies since 2018, shares her experience about another project:
“I was happy to see the amazement in the eyes of those little children when they saw a group of girls and boys coloring the walls of their school. I grew up in a school environment where boys and girls were divided into segments. Be it in the classroom, at art festivals, or at sports events, we got very few opportunities to be together. We were taught that it is a bad thing to mingle with boys. I believe I could give a tiny spark to those little young minds when we (a bunch of young people) worked, cooked, and danced together. I still remember those surprised little faces, seeing young men serving food to young women who were busy coloring the drawings on the walls.
The fact that fireflies unfollowed the gender roles imposed by society was another factor that influenced me a lot. I am glad that I was part of various Fireflies activities during my post-graduation life. Apart from getting opportunities to serve a social cause, I must say, it also helped me a lot to improve my personality.”
Arya sees fireflies as a place that provides exposure to the youth and breaks the bubbles around them that were constructed while they were growing up.
“I have seen many of my friends sitting in the hostel rooms during the weekends and holidays, but when I look at my past, I have the feeling that I have contributed something useful to society by helping to beautify the Govt schools and anganwadis (child centres), spending time with the people of those villages, making new friends, breaking my fears and barriers. Many of my close friends are the ones whom I met through fireflies.
Without this opportunity, I would have completed my graduation just like any other student without involving in any kind of social service or social action. And I realize that that would have been a missed opportunity for my personal growth.”
Gautham Nc (27), India
Fireflies, an Initiative to guide youth to be contributors to society
Gautham started his organization named Fireflies in 2020. His goal is to increase the environmental and social consciousness of the youth. Gautham believes that this change will help create many positive changes in them and will divert them from substance abuse and crime. He plans to do this by involving them in initiatives that benefit society, such as clean-up drives, refurbishing local schools, and providing opportunities for the youth to interact with and help the local community.
