Journey of a Volunteer
Afsal Mohammed B was born on February 2, 1996. He was the first child of Adv. Manaccadu Badarudeen and Suhara. He did his schooling at TKM Centenary Public School, Kollam.
DXB
At TKM Centenary Public School, Afsal has been selected as the Class Representative for the first time on 2006. Along with his batchmates, he had formed a team - DXB (Dangerous Boys). The club was active till 2012, and had around 100+ members from his friend circle. They were active in participating and volunteering in school activities; mainly in sports events. It was the first sign of his leadership quality.
Afsal was leading the class, cricket/football team and DXB. His friends nicknamed him - CAPTAIN
Noorul Hudha Arabic Foundation
Noorul Hudha Arabic Foundation was service society founded on 2009 in Kollam. It aims to create a community of elderly illiterate women and provide them with free Arabic education & courses to uplift them.
Afsal was introduced to the organisation by his father, who was the Working Chairman of the society. He was the youngest member of the society and had started to arrange necessary things for the event. He started to co-ordinate events on others absence.
Ruby House
TKM Centenary Public School has a system, where the students are divided into 4 houses - Diamond, Ruby, Opel and Emerald. Inter-house competitions were organised and Afsal was active in all the House activities. He had volunteered for school and inter-school youth festivals, sports days and other programs. It was the first volunteering experience in his life. Later on 2012, he was selected as the House Captain of Ruby House. All the other house captains, were in his class and they sit together. They had friendly competitions and supported each other in everything. The main competition was of Bulletin Board, where on Fridays they have to arrange the space with creative works and articles. Ruby house had won it 9 out of 12 times. Ruby secured first in Youth Festival, Sports Day, Onam Celebration and was the Best House in the academic year 2012-13.
Afsal has been selected as the Best House Captain of TKM Centenary Public School in the academic year 2012-13.
Along with his co-curricular activities, he was also good in his academics and had scored 95% in 10th CBSE Board Examination and 93% in 12th CBSE Board Examination. He joined RIITS (Rameeph IIT JEE Training School, Kollam) for a year long IIT-JEE training course to crack the entrance exam. In 2015, he got admission in Mechanical Production Engineering stream at TKM College of Engineering Kollam.
AATMA
"AATMA - Lets lend a helping hand" was the first initiative, Afsal had organised in TKM College of Engineering. He started collecting a minimum of Rs.10 from his classmates and had transferred to a bank account. The aim was to use this pocket money of his friends for a good cause. The initiative was a great success and he was able to collect an amount of Rs.12,345. They used this money to provide food and to organise a small trip for the orphans of Government Orphanage in Kollam.
Afsal saw the Unity of his class in AATMA
An Introduction to NSS
The first orientation for National Service Scheme took place on November 8, 2015. It was completely a new experience in his life. This was the time he realized that, everything he was doing in the past years was called as - Volunteering. A session on volunteering, was followed by a plantation drive, instant skits, dramas and culturals.
Afsal's name was not included in the first list of Volunteers. Knowing his passion in volunteering, his friends recommended his name to the seniors. Impressed by the AATMA initiative, he was selected to NSS TKMCE.
Sahaya was the first programme volunteered by Afsal. It was a flagship name for a series of charitable initiatives under NSS TKMCE. The objectives of Sahaya includes medical assistance, technical empowerment and financial support to the needy.
NEST
NEST (NSS Energy conservation through Students & Technocrats) was a three day District Level Energy Auditors Workshop on April 22-24, 2016. Around 300 volunteers from various engineering colleges and polytechnic colleges had participated to create a team, who can use their skills to serve the society in power-starved scenario. The workshop includes awareness classes, discussions, interactive sessions, case studies, live auditing events, mentoring and networking.
Afsal beacme the most active volunteer in NSS TKMCE. Its probably, the first time in the TKM College of Engineering, a first year student had coordinated the volunteers and helping in organizing an event in front-line.
Vijayabheri
Vijayabheri was an educational initiative of NSS TKMCE at Balabhavan and Balikamadir Kollam. Volunteers visit the center on weekends and provide tuition for them. They also oraganize classes to teach them computer and develop their skills along with cultural and fun sessions. All the students had passed the annual examination with good marks.
Afsal had volunteered in Balabhavan and Balikamandir, all the four years of his college life.
Silent Spring
Silent Sprint was a series of events, organised as a part of World Environment Day 2016.
1) GreenSelfi Challenge: 50+ volunteers had taken a selfie with newly planted tree and challenged with their friends.
2) My Tree Challenge: 100+ saplings were planted in the nearby households by volunteers.
3) Garden Renovation: Volunteers had renovated the garden in front of Kilikollour Railway Station.
4) Cycle Rally: An awareness rally was organised in Karikode with involvement of 100+ Volunteers
5) Green Session: An awareness session was taken for the students of Optiks Tuition Center by Prof. Sudheer
6) FlashMob: To spread the green message, volunteers had a flashmob at RP Mall, Kollam.
7) Birthday Tree: Volunteer plant saplings on their birthdays
1) GreenSelfi Challenge: 50+ volunteers had taken a selfie with newly planted tree and challenged with their friends.
2) My Tree Challenge: 100+ saplings were planted in the nearby households by volunteers.
3) Garden Renovation: Volunteers had renovated the garden in front of Kilikollour Railway Station.
4) Cycle Rally: An awareness rally was organised in Karikode with involvement of 100+ Volunteers
5) Green Session: An awareness session was taken for the students of Optiks Tuition Center by Prof. Sudheer
6) FlashMob: To spread the green message, volunteers had a flashmob at RP Mall, Kollam.
7) Birthday Tree: Volunteer plant saplings on their birthdays
National Digital Literary Mission was the dream project Afsal undertook for NSS. It was a Government initiative, aims at providing digital literacy to the people of Kottamkara Gramapanchyat. A data survey of 5000+ people were collected and 2500+ students were given the basic introduction session. Later, the government had dropped the project.
|
|
| ||||||
Afsal was a part of 50+ programmes for NSS TKMCE. Major events are listed below:
Sahaya | District Level Energy Auditors Workshop | Vijayabheri | Silent Spring | Punarjjani | Manaveeyam 16 | shadO3 | National Digital Literary Mission | Jwala 16 | Anti-Dowry Campaign | Swachh Bharath | Operation Reclamation | Green Carpet | Campus Farm
Palliative Care
STEPS was the students initiative in TKMCE working for the empowerment of people and society. They were having an active Palliative Care unit, which often go for palliative visit and organize palliative training and sessions. Answering the call of Kollam District Hospital, STEPS had renovated the Palliative Care Unit and its premises.
Afsal came to know about palliative and experiencing palliative volunteering for the first time with STEPS.
Punarjjani
Punarjjani was a 7 day camp organised at Kollam District Hospital aimed to renovate and restore the bio-medical instruments and other equipments. Volunteers had painted, repaired and welded the hospital equipments including beds, wheel chair, stretchers. Afsal had attended a Bio-medical Instrument Maintenance Training at Government Polytechnic College, Palakkad along with his friends - Sreehari and Harikrishnan. They had repaired nebulizer, needle burner etc. The camp had resulted in in mutual sharing of skills, hands-on experience in engineering field and was an experience of lifetime in moulding up a social engineer. That camp had recreated an asset of Rs.35 Lakh and later on 2017 it was raised to Rs.65 Lakh. NSS TKMCE had got the special appreciation for oraganising Punarjjani camps and was selected among the Best NSS unit in Kerala.
Afsal was in the front-line in organising strike against Kerala Technological University as a part of protest to role back, year back system. They had boycotted the University Exam of 2016.
Afsal was a part of a non-political student organisation - TKM Students Association (TSA). It was a students movement against the Anti-student decision of the College Union broke-out on 2016. Afsal was nominated to participate in the upcoming college election on 2016 as Second Year Representative. This decision had lead to some cookedup issues from the opposition party. He got death threats and had decided to withdraw the nomination on request of his parents and teachers. He was disappointed by the acts of his seniors, who were a part of his organisations he was working on. He slowly began to withdraw from everything.
An Introduction to UNAI
United Nations Academic Impact was a new organisation to TKM College of Engineering. Afsal had attended its first orientation by Mr. Saji Thomas, patron of Kerala Forum on United Nations Academic Impact on 2016. During that meeting, Afsal came to know more about United Nations and its volunteering opportunities. Impressed by his activities undertaken for NSS TKMCE, he was assigned to co-ordinate the volunteers. He was selected as the Program Coordinator within a short span, and undertook initiatives related to Sustainable Development Goals.
Afsal got the freedom to take any initiative in UNAI TKMCE, that ownership feeling matters!
Thinkering Marathon
Thinkering Marathon was organised at TKM College of Engineering in connection with NITI Aayog and ATAL Innovation Mission under Government of India. A series of events were organized to develop problem solving skills, creativity and to form peer group of like minded students. It includes a Tech Talk on Ideation to Design, Workshops on Robotics, Automobile, IC Engine, Aerodynamics, Internet of Things and other Thinkering Sessions on Idea Pitching.
Thinkering Marathon was the first event Afsal had organised for his school - TKM Centenary Public School
Vimukthi Sena
Anti-Drug Campaign was oraganised for the first year students by UNAI TKMCE. The campaign was inaugurated by Kerala State Excise Commissioner, Mr. Rishiraj Singh IPS. He delivered an excellent and informative talk on Drugs and its problems to the society. He had a meeting with the executive members of UNAI TKMCE, where he describes about the upcoming initiative - Vimukthi Sena. Vimukthi is an anti-narcotics campaign launched by the Government of Kerala to highlight the seriousness of the situation and to create awareness among the people, especially the youth. It is a collective effort aims at eradicating all sorts of narcotic substances from Kerala.
Afsal has been selected as the District Captain of Vimukthi Sena in Kollam and was appreciated by the Excise Department during Kollam Munsoon Marathon 2019.
Perinad Gramapanchayat
Representing TKM College of Engineering, volunteers had visited - Leksham veedu colony in Perinad Gramapanchyat with Hon. Mininster Mercykutty Amma. On request of Minister, a team was formed for providing technical assistance, for the sustainable development of the colony named - Edam Project. A survey was done by Perinad Gramapanchyat to understand the problems of that colony and it will be technically solved by the students.
Afsal's active volunteering in Perinad Gramampanchayt, made him familiar with authorities and the villagers. He volunteered in the field of Health, Education & Environment. During the initial visit to Perinad, there was a lady - Leelamma, who used to welcome him with a cute smile and black coffee. She was staying in a small house, that has no proper roofing with her mentally retarded son. After the survey, the team had decided to build a house for them under Edam Project. As the final year project, seniors had designs and build a house for the family. This project - Sustainable and Low Cost housing got recognition from the Government of Kerala. The project was also presented in United Nations Headquarters, New York.
Leelamma was a brave women, caring mother. For the past 30 years, she is living for her autistic son, struggling but smiling!
Thirike
Thirike - Back to Nature, For the Future was an initiative done to promote agriculture and its practices. Volunteers were taken out to the fields of Perinad Gramapanchayat to meet the farmers· The objective was to provide awareness about their responsibility to develop economically feasible technologies which are useful for farmers considering best possible sustainable solutions.
Perinad had developed its own brand rice - Perinadan Rice.
You are my Angel
"You are my Angel" was an initiative organised for the students of Balikamandir, Kollam to spread the message that every child is an angel. This aims to empower the children by proving them educational support, skill development programs and other necessary aids.It was a mission to n lighten the spirits of the children of Balikamandir by offering them gifts, spending quality time with them and making them smile.
Yes! They are the angels in his life. They changed his life.
Swachatha he Sewa
Swachatha he Sewa was a campaign for District Administration, Kollam to create awareness and build a community of responsible citizens to implement Swachh Bharath Abyaan initiatives. A series of initiatives and competitions were organized to promote and create awareness among youth.
Swachatha he Seva campaign was appreciated by the District Collector of Kollam.
Ahimsa Park
Ahimsa park was an open space near Adventure Park, Kollam were people usually dump their waste. This park was renovated and beautified with the volunteers in 3 Days and was handed over to the District Administration, Kollam.
Afsal had organised 50+ programme for UNAI TKMCE, including Ethal - an initiative to uplift the students affected and infected by AIDS. Active co-ordination of events for UNAI TKMCE,made his way to the state committee of UNAI. He was selected as the Public Relations Officer of Kerala Forum on United Nations Acdemic Impact and later as the Deputy General Secretary.
AVAHARA
AVAHARA was a stem cell donation drive organised by KFUNAI in association with DATRI. The first campaign was organised by Afsal at Sree Narayana Womens College, Kollam with a registration of 700+ students. AVAHARA was organnised by KFUNAI in various colleges in Kerala
AVAHARA was the first campaign Afsal had organised for Kerala Forum on United Nations Academic Impact.
UNAIC 2018
United Nations Academic Impact Colloquium (UNAIC 2018) was the first MUN in South India. It was organised in association with United Nations, United Nations Acdemic Impact, Malala Fund, United Youth Circuit in association with KFUNAI. 200+ National and International delegates participated in the 3 day diplomatic negotiation to form a solution with 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Afsal was the 'Chief of the Cabinet' of UNAIC 2018 and UN Representative, Mr. Saji Thomas had appreciated for his efforts by awarding him a - UN Badge.
|
| ||||
Afsal had organised 10+ programmes and had resigned from KFUNAI. After UNAIC, United Youth Circuit recruited him as a member and was appointed as the Senior Secretariat Member in Kerala. He was selected as a Sustainable Development Leader and had organised UYC Sustainable Development Summit and Markuz Model United Nations.
An Introduction to UNV
United Nations Volunteers programme by United Nations contributes towards peace and development through volunteerism world wide. While volunteering for UNAI, Afsal was in search of opportunities to work with United Nations. He came to know about the Online Volunteering Programme by UNV India and became a volunteer on 2017. This was a turning point in his life; his campaigns has got a big national attention and he was able to motivate 1240+ volunteers pledge towards volunteerism. He has been selected as - Top Online Volunteer of UNV India campaigns in 2017. Now 200+ TGF Volunteers are of UNV India and had volunteered for India Volunteering Concalve 2019 in New Delhi.
Afsal secured 8.2 CPGA till his his fourth semester. He had skipped his University Examination for the first time to oraganise IVD 2017 Campaign. Later he hadn't appeared for any University Examinations.
Afsal had organised 10+ campaigns for UNV India based on International Volunteers Day, International Womens Day, International Youth Day, World Environment Day and COVID 19. He became VForce Volunteer in 2018, VForce Leader in 2019 and finally VForce Coordinator in 2020.
Gulmohar Corner
Meenamma was an old woman, who was begging in front of TKM College of Engineering for more than 30 years. Students usually help her to earn a living, but Hameem & Dhanya came forward and setup a small shop. That spot later came to known as - Gulmohar Corner. The inauguration was done by a street violinist - Alosyus. Students gather here to share stories and friendship. Many initiatives and ideas were born from this spot. Later a Mini-Street Library was installed here, where anyone can take and donate books.
The Gulmohar Foundation was launched from Gulmohar Corner on February 14, 2018. Afsal along with his senior Jaseel and junior Hameem came forward with this initiative from their experience working with many organisations.
Birds Need You This Summer
"Birds Need You This Summer" was the first campaign of The Gulmohar Foundation. It aims to provide water to birds on summer by placing water pots. Initial campaign was organised in association with UNAI TKMCE, with participation of 200+ Volunteers. Later this campaign was done annually by TGF with the participation of many volunteer and organisation in Kerala.
The Gulmohar Foundation had started an online platform - Youth Opportunities Kerala. It aims to provide the youth of kerala with social opportunities and was active on Whatsapp & Facebook
Palliative Saturday
aPalliative Saturday was launched in support of the Palliative Care unit of Perinad Gramapanchyat. 300+ volunteers were given basic Palliative Care Training by National Health Mission . On all saturdays, volunteers visit the houses of palliative patients with the nurse to provide them with care, aid and other physical, mental and financial support making them self-sustained. A new initiative - School Students in Palliative is on progress. In the first phase, 250+ students were given basic introduction to palliative. The initiative was appreciated by Hon. Minister, Mercykutty Amma.
Afsal recieved the iVolunteer Award in 2018 for his Palliative Care activities at Perinad Gramapanchyat. He was one of the finalist in Youth Champion - a National award for volunteers under the age of 23, for inspiring display of passion and commitment in Volunteering.
Perinad Plastic Shredding Machine
As a part of Swachh Bharath Summer Instersnship, volunteers had visited the Plastic Shredding unit of Perinad Gramapanchyat. They made a field study and researched the drawbacks of the machine. Design and Fabrication of Plastic Bottle Shredder for Perinad Gramapanchayat,was the final year engineering project Afsal and his friends - Sreehari, Harikrishnan and Shibila. They had developed a low cost plastic shredding machine, which was 1\7 the cost of existing machine after detailed study and survey at Perinad Gramapanchyat.
| Plastic Shredding Machine Report |
Plastic Shredding Machine was a part of Millenium Ocean Prize 2018 winning project and recieved a grant of $5000.
My Coffee Cup
"My Coffe Cup" campaign was a part of World Environment Day 2018 initiatives of UNV India. The campaign aims to promote the use of Steel/Ceramaic cup at tea shops. Answering the call of campaign, the Coffee Corner in TKM College of Engineering came to support. College professors were the first to join the campaign, followed by staffs and students. The campaign inspired many volunteers and has been taken into their campuses.
Afsal had donated his cup to Coffe Corner. If you need a cup of coffee in TKM get his cup!
Mother-Child Friendly Bus Stand
As a part of SBS Internship, the volunteers had renovated the Bus stand at Keralapuram Junction to a Mother-Child friendly bus stand in 5 Days. The volunteers had cleaned and painted the bus stand and installed a feeding centre for mothers with babies to rest.
Afsal had undergone Swachh Bharath Summer Internship of Government of India at Perinad Gramapanchayth. He had a 200 Hour of volunteering, supporting the local self government. But due to some ignorance/less knowledge, it was not approved by district authorities to higher levels.
Vellimon School
As a part of World Environment Day 2018 campaign, a series of initiatives was organised in Vellimon School to create awareness among the students and make them environment citizens. TGF Volunteers were a supporting hand to the school authorities in organising programmes in school. The first BottlesUp campaign was done here, by distributing 50+ steel water bottles.
Vellimon School was the first adopted school of The Gulmohar Foundation in Perinad Gramapanchayat.
Lake CleanUp Challenge
"Lake CleanUp Challenge" was organised at Perinad Gramapanchyat as part of World Environment Day 2018 campaign . Volunteers had travelled in a small boat through the coastal-line of Ashtamudi Lake, collecting the floating plastics bottles and transported into the Plastic Shredding Unit.
Lake CleanUp initiative was the base of the project - The Journey of Awakening for Protecting Life Underwater, which has won the 5th Millennium Ocean Prize.
Mangrove Restoration
As a part of WED 2018 campaign, a Mangrove Restoration initiative was organised at Perinad Gramapanchyat. A 10 Km human chain was formed around the coastal-line of Ashtamudi lake with the participation of villagers and mangrove saplings were planted, along with pledge taking.
Over 7,000 young leaders on 1,209 campuses in 135 nations had applied for MCN Classes of 2018. Afsal's idea of Incubation of Perinad Buds Rehabilitation Center had got the Millenium Fellowship 2018. He was among the 20 Millennium fellows from India.
Perinad Buds Rehabilitation Center
Perinad Buds Rehabilitation Center is a day-care centre for the mentally- challenged students. Volunteers visit the center on weekends and engage with them on various activities. These kids were given a platform to showcase their talents and was trained to participate in competitions. The students had bagged several prizes in Youth Festivals.They also provide skill development and trained them to make bags, files, pens etc. The initiative provide relief to the students and motivate more differently-abled students who were thought to be isolated from the society. Social Internship were oraganised at the center to motivate more volunteers to the community. The interns develop individual skill-book for the students which reflects the overall identity, traits and characteristic behaviour of each student.
| Skill Book of Mary |
Afsal recieved the iVolunteer Award 2019 for the activities at Perinad Buds Rehabilitation Center.
Kerala Flood Relief
A 5 day relief volunteering work was organised at the flood affected areas of Aluva, Ernakulam. 100+ volunteers joined the camp, helped the people to clean their house and provided all mental and physical support. With few days, 500+ volunteers join the campaign by Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and renovated 100+ houses.
After the Kerala Flood 2018, Afsal had organised a Notes Collection Drive. In the campaign,volunteers write notes in book, for students who lost their study materials during flood. 200+ notebooks were distributed to the flood affected schools in Kollam.
Donate A Napkin
Donate A Napkin was one of the initiative, The Gulmohar Foundation had organised during the flood. This was aimed at collecting sanitary napkins for the women in relief camp, affected by flood. Answering the call, colleges of Punjab, Ahmedabad, Bangalore had came to support. 5000+ Sanitary napkins were distributed to different relief camps.
Afsal was selected for Young Social Entrepreneurs Workshop in Mumbai on 2019 by Singapore International Foundation. The Gulmohar Foundation was the youngest organisation from India to attend the workshop.
School Intervention Programme
School Intervention Program is a 3-day event focusing the High School students and children sheltered in various orphanages and other backward schools. The prime aim of this programme to offer the under 18 students, an introduction to the new world of education providing them with special capacity building and career guidance training sessions which is being organised and coordinated by volunteers. The camp aim to make the youth aware of the plethora of opportunities before them like scholarships, better educational ambience through various skill empowering activities. It would aid the students to let them know and realise "How to Learn" rather than What to Learn.
|
| ||||
30 Volunteers had recieved the Millenium Fellowship 2019 for undertaking School Internship Programme under The Gulmohar Foundation.
Facebook NGO Day
Facebook NGO was an experiential training for NGO's on how to use facebook more efficently to promote social service.. 200+ NGO's in Kerala had attended the event Thiruvananthapuram. The event was volunteered and coordinated by The Gulmohar Foundation.
Facebook NGO Day was the first event coordinated by Afsal for Mash Project. He started to coordinate events for them in South India. He had coordinated volunteers for Tik Tok for Good Workshop in Chennai and AVPN India Summit in Bengaluru. He had formed an online platform - Kerala NGO Community. It was a facebook group for all NGO's in Kerala, were they can interact and support each other.
BottlesUp
BottlesUp Campaign was aimed to provide steel water bottles to under previlleged students, to raise awareness on reusable plastic bottle consumption. The campaign was part of Afsal's Volunteer For Action Fellowship with Reaching Sky Foundation. 100+ Youth groups were formed and 1000+ Steel water bottles were distributed,transforming 13+ Schools to Plastic Bottle Free Schools in Kerala.
BottlesUp campaign was a part of Afsal's Volunteer For Action Fellowship with Reaching Sky Foundation.
Afsal completing his four years of engineering course, he planned to travel all over India. He started his first journey on July 29, 2019. Its was an Experimental Less-Penny Volunteering Journey and had travelled to 20+ India states, meeting & interaction with volunteers and social workers there.
India Volunteer Conclave 2019
India Volunteer Conclave is an initiative of United Nations Volunteers India and Ministry of Youth Affairs to promote volunteerism in India. It aims to bring together Policy Makers, Volunteer Involving Organizations (VIOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector, academia and volunteers together on one platform to share good practices, discuss innovative ideas and recommend strategies and policy interventions for promoting volunteerism and youth participation in development processes and nation building..
.
.
Afsal was selected as an VForce leader in 2019. He got the opportunity to attend IVD 2019 organising committee meeting at United Nations Head Quarters in New Delhi. Upon his request, 5 Volunteers of The Gulmohar Foundation had attended the event as delegates.
Happy Fridge
Happy Fridge is a community fridge installed by The Gulmohar Foundation in association with Feeding India to donate nutritious food to the needy. It aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger. Hunger Free Kollam is the dream of Happy Fridge Community, which has 50+ active volunteers for distributing food to the needy. Gift-A-Cake is another initiative that goes along with this, which gifts the orphan children of 10+ Orphanages in Kollam with birthday cakes.
When Afsal was in Delhi,he had a meeting with Feeding India officials and visited the First Happy Fridge in India, to learn about the initiative and its challenges.
Donate A Toy
Considering the mental health and well-being of the children during Kerala flood situations and to make the people across the state aware of the necessity to address the mental health of the kids, The Gulmohar Foundation organised the toy collection campaign in Kerala by arranging collection points at different districts. These toys gifted the kids in the relief camps and tribal colonies, a good element of joy and happiness. People welcomed this initiative in a very positive manner by donating the old toys/new toys, books, crayons, colouring kits etc. With the financial support of donors we were able to buy toys to support school and anganvadis. With in involvement of 150+ volunteers, 2500 toys and 1500 educations kits were distributed in flood affected places.
Afsal had started the online campign in support of the local residents of Alappad who have been on a relay hunger strike for the past months against black sand mining by raising the slogan 'Save Alappad, Stop Mining'. His online petition on change.org was signed by 1.5 Lakh people.
TGF Youth Climate Network
TGF Youth Climate Network is a community of Environment enthusiastic volunteers to create awareness on climate change. They had organised Kerala Climate Strike 2019 in 10 different regions of Kerala and Lakshadweep with the participation of 2000+ volunteers. Kerala Climate Ride 2019 was organised to create awareness on ocean conservation, reducing carbon emission and promoting sustainable tourism. The cycle ride from Kasargode to Trivandrum had covered a distance of 777+ Km with a participation of 66 Riders. A series of facebook live sessions on climatic change was also a part of it.
Afsal has been invited by Good Deeds Day - an internationl oragnisation to attend its meeting in Rishikesh. The Gulmohar Foundation was the only oragnisation from South India to attend the meeting.
Orange The World
Orange the World was a part of #KaunsiBadiBaatHai campaign of UN Women. The Gulmohar Foundation in support of Mash Project had oraganised the campaign in 10 colleges of Kerala to raise awarness and to stand against Gender-Based Violence.
On 2017, Afsal got selection for Jagriti Yatra - an ambitious 15 day train journey of self-discovery and transformation that takes hundreds of India's highly motivated youth for a 8000 Km national odyssey to meet the role model. After two years, on December 24, 2019 he became a Yatri on Jagriti Yatra. His team was the Overall Champions of Biz Gyan Tree Exercise 2019 and the project has been selected as the Best Bussiness Enterprise Model.
During the Jagriti Yatra, he had co-ordinated the RISE (Rural Immersion for Social Empowerment) - a 7 day camp at Vithura Gramapanchayat by The Gulmohar Foundation.
TGF Climate Festival & unConference
TGF Climate Festival and unConference was the first Annual MeetUp of The Gulmohar Foundation. The 2 Day camp will be held around the costal areas of Perinad Gramapanchayath to meet and interact with changemakers all over Kerala, to share and hear their stories of change through our story circle and to get inspired. 100+ Volunteers had participated in the Annual MeetUp and had discussion on TGF Activities focusing on Environment Consevation and Climate Change.
Afsal attended LsUc 2020 in Rajasthan. The Learning Societies UnConference seeks to bring together all kinds of people who are co-creating diverse learning communities, sustainable learning spaces, creative un/learning processes, decolonization tools, etc. for new models of happiness, well-being, localization and swaraj.
COVID 19 Activities
The COVID 19 pandemic leads to a lock down in Kerala. All the initiatives of The Gulmohar Foundation was called-off. To engage the volunteers, several online campaigns were started in lead of Afsal. Some of them were Online Book Review, Online Story Telling, Plant-a-tree, Artistic Impressions, Online Course, Birds Need You This Summer etc.
Afsal renamed the facebook group Kerala NGO Community to Kerala Volunteer Community. It is an interactive social media platform for volunteers - a facebook group dedicated to the social sector. The endeavour to create a community of volunteers all over Kerala, were they discuss, deliver and share updates about recent activities, events, organisational initiatives, internship opportunities and job offers across Kerala. It brings together individuals, NGOs and arms of organisations under a one-stop platform for networking and knowledge sharing.
5 Day Online Youth Capacity Development Workshop
The Gulmohar Foundation is organising a 5 Day Online Workshop on Youth Capacity Development Workshop. The workshop focus on Personality development, Community development, SDG Awareness, Social Volunteering along with Self Discovery and Transformation. 20 participants from all districts of Kerala was a part of the workshop. Afsal had taken his first session on Volunteer Oppourtunities and Action At Home in this workshop.
TGF Medicare for Perinad Gramapanchayat
The project aims to provide essential medical instruments and support to the needy patients of poor socio-economic background in Perinad Gramapanchayat, during the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, in association with Perinad Primary Health Center. This is an initiative of The Gulmohar Foundation, selected and funded by Good Deeds Day as a part of GDD COVID19 Grant. The inauguration of the project was done by Hon. Minister J Mercykutty Amma in presence of District Collector Kollam. 15 Glucometer, 10 BP Apparatus, Doppler Machine, Flash Thermometer and 1000 Mask were distributed along with Medical kit for differently-abled students, cancer and diabetic patient and other emergency medicines worth 1Lakh Rupees has been handed over to Perinad Gramapanchayat and was recieved by Panchayat President Anilkumar and Medical Officer Dr. Junu.
Afsal had wrote hos experience of travel in a blog- Volunteer Journeys & Stories. Later he renamed it as Journey of a Volunteer.
Volunteer Journeys & Stories
Volunteer Journeys & Stories aims to promote volunteerism, by providing a platform for volunteers to share their inspiring stories and volunteering life journey. It intends to give an insight into volunteering opportunities, organizations, anything & everything related to volunteering. Volunteers can share stories of individuals, initiatives, communities, organization, milestones etc. It aims inspire others and make a change in perception. VJS is now an initiative of The Gulmohar Foundation as a part of #SocialMedia4SocialChange Campaign.
Afsal started to plan for his All Kerala Volunteering Journey - Journey of A Volunteer
Advocacy for Social Change Workshop 2020
Advocacy is the art of influencing the thinking and behavior of other people. It is a powerful tool for social change. The 3 day workshop covers the basics of Advocacy and advocacy strategies. The objectives of the Workshop are:
1) Discuss the importance of advocacy and explore few startegies of advocacy
2) Learn How to design a camaign for social Good
3) Introduce Theory of change and how it can be used for advocacy
4) Discuss Good practices and examples of advocacy
1) Discuss the importance of advocacy and explore few startegies of advocacy
2) Learn How to design a camaign for social Good
3) Introduce Theory of change and how it can be used for advocacy
4) Discuss Good practices and examples of advocacy
Afsal had applied for Kanthari Felloweship to join International Institute of Social Change. He had passed 4 interviews and his project got rejected in final interview. After a month, he had co-founded Institute of Social Volunteering. ISV Kerala is a social enterprise to empower social volunteers and social organisations.
TGF Youth Peer Learning
TGF Youth Peer Learning -TYPL is an educational practice by TGF in which volunteers interact with other volunteers to share knowledge. It is a mode of "learning for everyone, by everyone, about almost anything". Whether it takes place in a formal or informal learning context, in small groups or online, TYPL manifests aspects of self-organization that are mostly absent from pedagogical models of teaching and learning. This is a part of series of Online Capacity Development Workshops by The Gulmohar Foundation, focusing on Personality Development, Community Development, SDG Awareness, Social Volunteering along with Self Discovery and Transformation. TYPL was a 3 Day Online Workshop and was planned to organise in all districts of Kerala.
Afsal has been selected for Global Leadership Training for The Climate Reality Leadership Corps under the training of Former US Vice President, Al Gore. It is a global network of activists committed to spreading awareness of the climate crisis and working for solutions to the greatest challenge of our time.
Understanding Volunteerism and Opportunities
A 3 Day Online Social Workshop by Institute of Social Volunteering. The objectives of the workshop are
1) Understand Volunteering and types of volunteering
2) Understand how volunteering contributes to social development
3) Be a part of a tribe working together to create magic through volunteering
4) Explore volunteering opportunities based on your preference
5) Learn tools to reflect and rethink life
1) Understand Volunteering and types of volunteering
2) Understand how volunteering contributes to social development
3) Be a part of a tribe working together to create magic through volunteering
4) Explore volunteering opportunities based on your preference
5) Learn tools to reflect and rethink life
Afsal has been selected as the Personal Development Mentor in IEE Program of Millennium Campus Network. Inspiring, Empowering, and Educating (I.E.E.) Program is a mentorship programme in which alumni team up with current Millennium Fellows to help them navigate their projects and personal development within the social impact sphere. The Millennium Fellowship 2020 have about 1000+ Fellows from 80 Campuses across 20 countries globally.
Volunteer Collective For Action, Reflection and Empowerment
Volunteer Collective for Action, Reflection and Empowerment (V.CARE) is a 3-month virtual volunteer engagement and leadership program by Institute of Social Volunteering and Volunteer For India for students, young professionals, artists, activists and storytellers of the age 16-26 in Kerala interested in volunteer-led social change. V.CARE hopes to build an inclusive network of volunteer leaders in Kerala and encourage, mentor and support them to take up a project relevant to their interest and the need of the community. V.CARE is an attempt to inculcate the culture of volunteer-led social transformation and social entrepreneurship in the state.
Afsal has been selected as Global Ambassador of Peace First, to mentor projects of Asia & Oceania region. Peace First is a Global Incubator of youth-led social change initiatives.
Social Volunteer Awards 2020
Institute of Social Volunteering in collaboration with The Gulmohar Foundation is recognizing the youth volunteers of India through Social Volunteer Awards 2020 (ISV Awards 2020). Social Volunteer Awards 2020 is an honorary award to recognize youth volunteers for their commitment towards the community development and engagement of volunteers, taking into consideration the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ISV Award will recognize 10 extraordinary youth volunteers, who are changing their lives and initiate impactful changes in the society by sustainable practices. The awardees will receive guidance and mentorship from Institute of Social Volunteering besides the memento and certificate. The Gulmohar Foundation will connect the awardees with communities and help them to create network of volunteers. Institute of Social Volunteering and The Gulmohar Foundation, aim to build future leaders and social entrepreneurs by empowering volunteers.
Afsal had shifted to Wayanad and had rented a house, named it "VAAKA". It was a space to rejuvenate the plans of The Gulmohar Foundation and Institute of Social Volunteering. During the life at VAAKA, he developed the idea of The Wish Factory.
The Wish Factory
The Wish Factory is a Socio-Cultural Event Management Company based in Kerala. It is a one stop destination which provides support system for non-profit/profit/professional oraganisations and institutions to ideate, design, execute and outreach social and cultural projects. We uniquely collaborate to host events, camps, conferences and summits in an economic and sustainable way; enhancing the social impact on society. The community of well-wishers of The Wish Factory. It acts as an social outreach wing of The Wish Factory. The community members are free to comeup with wishes/ideas, take ownership and execute it, with the support of The Wishers Community.
During the idea pitching of The Wish Factory, Afsal left VAAKA and returned to Kollam to write his university exams after 4 years. It was his last chance to appear for exams. He had submitted a request to the University to extend the course to two more years. At this time, he developed more ideas which led to the creation of CAPTAINS Social Solutions.
CAPTAINS Social Solutions
CAPTAINS Social Solutions is a youth-led Social Enterprise, working with an objective of creating an inclusive sustainable ecosystem for social volunteers and organizations, through practising and promoting initiatives addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We are a one-stop destination for volunteers and social organizations to ideate, design, executive & outreach social projects. We incubate ideas, evaluate solutions & act as a support system for social issues and initiatives. We are creating a platform for volunteers and organizations to network, collaborate and undertake social initiatives to bring sustainable changes in the society. We are enhancing the capacity, potential and creativity of youth to address social issues and to create sustainable impact in the society. We believe in youth and invest in them by providing tools and skills, connecting them with like-minded volunteers & organisations and sharing their stories and impact to the world. We are looking forward to bridging the gap between opportunities, volunteers and organisations.
Social Solutions India
CAPTAINS Social Solutions is creating a platform for volunteers and organizations to network, collaborate and undertake social initiatives to bring sustainable changes in the society. Volunteers will receive tools, training, mentorship and $250-$2500 funding to put their ideas into action. An initiative of CAPTAINS Social Solutions in collaboration with Peace First, global incubator of youth-led social change.
Creating Peacemaking Projects
CAPTAINS Social Solution collaborate with Peace First to organise Peace Lab Session under the initiative - Creating Peacemaking Project for institutions and social organisations. It aims to empower youth by providing digital tools, community support, start-up funding & stories that celebrate their social change journeys and impact. Volunteers receive up to $250-$2500 to put their ideas into action
Social Change Stories aims to document the positive impact stories of social organisation/institutions and outreach it to the youth community to promote volunteerism. We are looking to collaborate and create an inclusive space for social organisations and institutions in India to showcase and feature their initiatives to gain exposure and community support. We provide them with network, training, mentorship and funding opportunities worth $250-$2500 for scaling up their initiatives
The Social Hackathon
The Social Hackathon is a platform for youth to ideate, design, execute and lead social initiatives that address injustice in their community through compassion, courage and collaborative leadership. Through this 24 hour hackathon, youth will be guided through a 5-stage journey and provided with resources and community support; including training, 3 month mentorship and initial startup funding of $250 to launch a social change project in their community; along with stories that celebrate their social change journey and impact.
