• Speakers describe credibility, transparency, accountability & selflessness as basic tenets to serve humanity
• Experts urge volunteers to adopt innovative and modern methodologies in the field of social service

Srinagar: In order to sensitise and inculcate understanding about basic tenets of social service and build comprehensive capacity among volunteers, the J&K Yateem Foundation conducted a three-day Capacity Building Programme at its orphanage Baitul Hilal Chawalgam in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The theme of the programme was “Social Service: Credibility, Transparency & Accountability”.
The workshop is a part of JKYF’s continuing efforts to sensitise the volunteers on the ground about various issues and challenges related to voluntary social service in Jammu & Kashmir.
Speakers and experts urged the volunteers to adopt innovative and modern methodologies in the field of social service to meet the latest challenges in the field.
Describing credibility, transparency, accountability, sincerity, wisdom and selflessness as the basic tenets of serving humanity, the speakers enjoined upon the volunteers to learn and equip themselves with the knowledge, methodologies and technologies to cope with the emerging contemporary challenges, issues and problems in the social service sector.
Addressing the gathering of about 150 senior volunteers from various parts of J&K including far-flung and hilly districts like Poonch and Rajouri besides Doda, the speakers appreciated the sincere spirit of volunteers to expend time, energy and own resources to join heads and hands for creating an enabling environment for ensuring tangible socio-economic development of economically weaker sections.
They urged the participants to be proactive in building their capacities as volunteers to help the poorest among the poor and needy in a coordinated and professional manner.
Noted columnist and author Dr Maroof Shah in his speech pointed out that Yateem Foundation should revisit its welfare policies to take on the emerging challenges. He advocated new rehabilitation models to make the deserving persons self-reliant. He enjoined upon JKYF to establish micro business units for the widows and destitute.
Joint Director Central Bureau of Communications (CBC), J&K and Ladakh Mr Ghulam Abbas (IIS) called for sincerity, honesty, truthfulness and uprightness among volunteers. While speaking on the theme “Social Service & Our Responsibilities”, he urged the volunteers to guide disadvantaged sections of society to take full advantage of government’s welfare schemes. He commended the role of the J&K Yateem Foundation for its relentless efforts to imbibe professional traits among the volunteers.
A panel discussion on the theme “Role Of NGOs to counter social evils” was held during the programme. The panelists Dr Maroof Shah, Prof Manzoor Rehman, Nissarul Haq, Javaid Jawad and Dr Tariq Ahmad Malik participated in the discussion. They answered the questions put forth by the audience. Mohammad Amin Bhat moderated the discussion.
Former Income Tax Officer Mr Shabir Ahmad Handoo gave a detailed account of ways and means for Zakat collection and the methodology to spend it for better results. He asserted that a Special Zakat Fund should be raised to help out the individuals trapped in the debt.
Former ADDC Shiekh Abdul Hamid (KAS) pitched for reaching out to all the vulnerable sections of society irrespective of creed, caste, colour, religion and race.
Adil Farooq and Ulfat Jan of the Human Welfare Voluntary Organisation (HWVO), spoke on “Need of Psycho-Education in Child Care Instructions” enjoined upon the stakeholders to deal with the orphan children in an extraordinarily careful manner. They said the orphanages should have the feeling and ambience of normal homes.
Medical Professional Waseem Farooq spoke on the theme “First Aid Training” and shared relevant tips to deal with any emergency while undertaking social service activities, particularly during disaster management situations.
District Representative Pulwama, Mohammad Amin Bhat in his speech shared some painful stories of drug addicts while speaking on the theme “Drug Abuse & Our Responsibilities”. He stressed the need to tackle the issue head on in our respective areas.
Senior volunteer Mahmoodur Reyaz while speaking on the theme “Social Service in Islamic Prospective” said that the holy Quran is replete with teachings that enjoin upon its followers to work for the weaker sections of society.
Senior volunteer Nisar ul Haq spoke on the theme “Begging: Its causes and remedies”. While invoking holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he said that Islam completely denounces the practice of begging. He urged the volunteers to encourage skill development to curb the menace of begging.
Speaking about the “Role of Social Media In Social Service Sector”, Programme Executive Press & PR Division Javaid Jawad emphasized the importance of social media in disseminating the message of social service work among cross sections of people. Enumerating the advantages of social media, Jawad advised the volunteers to make use of social media for the welfare and development of the disadvantaged groups in our society.
Senior physical education teacher Mohammad Sultan from district Baramulla conducted the physical exercise sessions of students and participants during the three-day programme.
District Secretary Shopian Rafiq Ahmad Mir spoke on the “Etiquettes of Gatherings”. He advised all the participants to follow the Calender of activities in letter and spirit.
Earlier, General Secretary Yateem Foundation Mohammad Yaqoob Reshi in his welcome address asked volunteers to follow the organizational discipline in letter and spirit in their day-to-day activities.
Secretary Finance Mohammad Ishaq Shiekh presented the Financial report card for the past 6 months of JKYF whereas district representatives presented the achievement cards of the respective districts of the previous 6 months.
Chairman Mohammad Rafiq Lone in his vote of thanks urged speakers and experts to continuously engage with JKYF for the guidance of volunteers for more fruitful results on the ground. He said there is a need for regular one-on-one interaction in pursuit of goals, objectives and targets for the socio-economic development of the poor, needy and destitute irrespective of caste, colour, creed, region and religion across Jammu & Kashmir.
All the district representatives presented the progress reports of their respective districts for the 1st half of the financial year 2023-2024.
Six sessions of the event were conducted by Javaid Jawad, Hafiz Shabir, Mohammad Amin Bhat, Shiekh Abdul Gani, Mohammad Anwar Malik and Mehmood ur Reyaz.
Volunteers Hafiz Shabir, Hafiz Abid Salaam (Teacher), Tariq Ahmad Lone, Muzaffar Jan and Mehmood ur Reyaz recited verses of the holy Quran whereas Farooq Ahmad (volunteer), Hafiz Abid Salam and Gh Nabi Khanday presented the Naats (poetry eulogising Prophet Muhammad PBUH) during different sessions.
District Representative Kulgam Mohammad Sadullah Bhat & Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Abdul Majeed Laway with the support of employees, volunteers and well-wishers made the arrangements for the three-day event.

KR Desk