Annual Community Medical Camp 2013

"The CAS program has undoubtedly presented me with numerous occasions in which I felt like I learnt something new and was exposed to something truly enriching. On the 23^rd of February, however, we were given the opportunity to help conduct a medical camp near the Khajaguda Village, in which free consultations and medications were given to those who would not be able to afford it otherwise. On a personal note, this was a really gratifying experience. To be able to see the immediate effects of our service, and especially, realize that there’s a world outside of our own that faces such great difficulties with things we simply take for granted- it was indescribable.

The students of IBDP 11 , the Oakridge medical staff, as well as an additional medical team established their work place in a small school nestled in an alley which was easily accessible by all the visitors of the health camp. After clearing the classrooms, and setting up the rooms, the previously registered patients were checked in and given their necessary consultations and medications.
As students who normally don’t get the chance to interact with many different social strata, this was a true eye opener. Just a mile away from our own school, were families struggling with diseases that are difficult to over come due to lack of money or insight. In theory, we feel we understand this, and we sympathize. But to be able to really do something about the adversity and to see firsthand, just how much we can help households with our time and effort, was a magnificent lesson. I know that as a student, looking around and seeing my own classmates hold a baby they had just met, and comforting an senior citizen, harbored a sense of community and reinforced the idea that an act of kindness can go a long way" - Shivani Rao (IBDP XI)