I am honored to receive Presidential Volunteer Services Award for the year 2014 and I want to thank Vibha for nominating me. I was introduced to Vibha four years ago by a group of Milwaukee Action Center volunteers who left a flier tucked under the windshield wiper blade of my van. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with countless Vibha volunteers during various local events whose sheer passion always amazed and inspired me.
As part of the Projects team, I interact regularly with a team of over 80 individuals scattered all over the USA and in India. It took me only a few months to realize that the team I work with is nothing less than extraordinary. Despite their busy lives, these individuals are able to find time towards the cause they ardently believe in, which is to bring a positive difference to the lives of underprivileged children. Our team of monitors, Zankhana, Deep and Jyoti, who have decades of experience in social work constantly monitor our projects, conduct capability building workshops, scout for new projects, and look for continuous improvements. The fact that individuals of such high caliber chose to associate with Vibha for all these years is, in itself a testimony to the good work Vibha does. As for the Directors of the NGOs we partner with, what a humbling and remarkable experience it was when I first visited them a few years ago. Many of these partners dedicated their entire lives for the same noble cause that we at Vibha believe in. Their faith, compassion, and leadership are a source of inspiration and encouragement to the people and communities around them. After meeting these individuals, I am convinced that every dollar Vibha raises is spent with utmost care to maximize the benefit to these deserving children.
This award truly belongs to those Vibha Volunteers, our Donors, Project Partners, and Monitors who all strive to create a brighter future to countless children every day. It also belongs to those deserving children who unknowingly touch our hearts and enrich our lives in many ways.
By: Murthy Munagavalasa