We never came knowing everything. We slowly started to pick up the pieces by observing, listening and repeating. Then learning the alphabets we picked up recognition of words. Slowly we made sentences. We began to comprehend stories told or read. Thus started our journey of learning lessons and gaining experience from them.
Programs undertaken by PTS are rarely planned but they take off the ground almost immediately. Rather than gather others to sit, talk, discuss and plan these programs, we set off doing it if we think the ideas brought up by fellow members are feasible and practical and of course provided we have the funds. Going to the ground only then we begin learning lessons from the experiences encountered.
And so we started providing groceries, cooked food, clothing and other needs to orphanages for a start. Bala Chandran identified the home. We provided the same to old folks homes too. Again Bala identified and verified them. We provided food to devotees at temples too in conjunction with the Nei Deepam Yetrum Vizha or lighting of lamps, again initiated by Bala. Shanga introduced a home for the elderly too where we provided food and groceries. Then we set off to the streets to feed and clothe the homeless, lead by Sri Krishna from Pothihai Dharma Chakram. Then we turned our attention to the poor in their homes following in the footsteps of Vintha. Agathiyar had given her an alternative to performing a remedy in India. He asked her instead to feed 8 families for 8 months right here. She identified these families in dire straits, in need of assistance and food at the PPR flats. PTS took it up from there. Our outlook of life changed and we began to understand it better as life showed us how it deals a blow to some and pampers others when we took a walk through the corridors of these homes. We thank Vintha who began this wonderful deed of feeding these families where we joined in by providing groceries. This is indeed the most satisfying deed we have done to date. Here we have all the above-mentioned categories of people, namely the old, mentally challenged, physically disabled, and kids, under one roof. We began to serve their daily needs by providing cooked food that appeased their hunger; groceries that helped sustain them for a month; giving them an ear in listening to their stories; providing clothing that they wore immediately on their visits out of their pent-up homes; and we brought them cheer in organizing activities and games, thanks to Captain Ariva and his brother Perarulalan. These householders look towards us for these aids often mentioning to us outwardly their gratitude. Occasionally a doctor in our team, Dr. Jana visits them to check in on them and provide certain medical supplies.
It is fulfilling to carry out the responsibility and trust laid on us by our small group of contributors. We understand pretty well that we have been entrusted with the job of channeling funds received from these good souls doing their part towards charity. We intend to do a good job of it, making sure these contributions from hard earn wages of our contributors are put to good use and goes to the most deserving.
If initially, we dropped off the standard items and supplies we thought they would use, at the doorway of these family homes and walked way, today we are catering to the individual needs of these families. We are learning to tune and fine-tune the services provided so that it is delivered in the shortest time and to ensure that it goes to the right home. We have identified many shortfalls and weaknesses in the delivery system along the way. We have opted to adopt the following procedures while purchasing, packing and distributing the groceries.
Once the groceries are purchased, we shall pack them together and label them accordingly to the recipient complete with their addresses. Those who purchase groceries and other items individually will do the same and send it over. We shall assign and designate individual volunteers to the respective homes of these families when we come together to collect the groceries from AVM. It is then the responsibility of the individual to, as in the child's play where he/she has to carefully deliver the egg placed in the spoon to its destination, collect it from AVM and have it delivered to the assigned unit or household. He/She is responsible for the safe delivery of the commodity right from picking it up till it is handed over to their recipient.
For those arriving newly to participate, we expect them to give a hand to the individuals assigned earlier, in carrying these groceries and delivering them to the doorsteps of these homes. We request them not to "interview us" or ask questions at that moment for it distracts the attention of the persons-in-charge. We expect the volunteers not to continue their talk while in the lifts for we then tend to miss the floors while engaged in talking. We need to be focused on the task at hand. We advise those following not to promise any items asked or requested by the householders. They can listen but they need to tell them that they shall forward their requests to the working committee. We strictly discourage large groups of people or families who turn up out of curiosity just to have a look at what is going on or to see the state or condition of these householders, without giving a hand in carrying the goods or extending other forms of aid. We are not visiting the zoo. Neither are they circus freaks. They are very ordinary people like you and me trying to survive a day.
Agathiyar has sent us out of the comfort of our homes to see for ourselves and come up with programs to feed and aid others. We have walked the mile and have observed what needs to be done and what needs to be dropped. He is teaching us through these souls many lessons in life. At the end of the day, we each become more experienced and refine in our task. It is again a learning curve for us at PTS.