Y-V-4 LEAD Club – Youth Voice For - Life Even After Death, an idea that stemmed from an awareness activity conducted in Christ (Deemed-to-be University) Main Campus on the importance of Organ Donation and Transplantation. This awareness session paved the path towards formulating the club that intends to empower students and general public with adequate knowledge about the importance of organ donation and transplantation. Following rigorous meetings and multiple discussions, the club emerged in the month of August 2019 with an objective to destigmatize organ donation in collaboration with MOHAN Foundation.

 

The Y-V-4 LEAD Club, the service-learning project of MSW students of the University, aims to address the myths, misconceptions and stigma towards organ donation through various awareness campaigns and activities. The main objectives of this club are motivating general public through social work professionals to register as organ donors; evaluating the socio-demographic factors associated with the respondents; assessing the awareness, attitude and beliefs with regard to organ donation;  and enhancing the confidence and skills of the emerging social workers to work in the field of organ donation and transplantation.

 

This initiative by Ms. Krishna Priya P S, Transplant Coordinator at MOHAN Foundation, under the supervision of Dr. Ngaitlang Mary Tariang, Assistant Professor - Department of Social Work, Christ University Bangalore in collaboration with a team comprising Mrs Sujatha S (Manager - Information System, MOHAN Foundation), and Jeevasarthakathe organized the first event on 16^th of September, 2019 at Christ University.

 

The event saw a procession by MSW student volunteers of Y-V-4 LEAD Club campaigning on the lines of ‘Be a thinker, be a doer, be a donor, donate organs, change the ending to someone’s story’. The student coordinators set up an awareness booth that had the research team working on data collection and creating awareness through brochures and hand-outs.

The Y-V-4 LEAD Club had its official inauguration in front of the Central Block by the esteemed guests of honour Dr. Kishore Phadke, Convener – Jeevasarthakathe and Mr. Shridhar Hanchinal, Hon. Director - MOHAN Foundation, felicitated by Dr. Victor Paul HOD, Department of Sociology and Social Work. The event began with a prayer song followed by Dr. Rory Truell, Secretary General of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) addressing the gathering. The occasion was graced by the presence of other esteemed guests from the International Federation of Social Workers team Switzerland, faculty and the students of MSW.

The MSW students showcased a flash mob, mime and street play as part of the awareness campaign. They conveyed the message on the importance and the facts about organ donation, addressed the myths and stigma that persist. The event was a huge success bringing together 100+ volunteers, students and coordinators working enthusiastically and tirelessly towards the event. Ms. Krishna Priya P S delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the event. The club looks forward to conducting more events, in association with Christ University, MOHAN Foundation and Jeevasarthakathe with the vibrant social workers by taking baby steps in raising awareness among various communities and public.