Go Dharmic Volunteer Q&A : Subrat Patra

We have just completed our 101st library as part of our Shape A Future campaign! Together with the assistance of our tremendous partners — Futures First — we have provided a fantastic future for so many Orissan children.

As part of this milestone, we decided to talk to Subrat Patra, one of the compassionate individuals who participated in building the library in Orissa, India.

We held a brief Questions and Answers session to gather Subrat’s thoughts and experiences:

Q. Could you introduce yourself? 

A. I am Subrat Patra, an Employee of Futures First, located in Bangalore.

Q. What was your motivation behind planning and building the library for Shape A Future? 

A. I am from a very rural background, where there is a great lack of basic facilities — especially in the education sector. I faced a lot of difficulties in my childhood because of a lack of a well-rounded education. I had to work very hard and it was difficult to learn. So, in many ways, this is an attempt to ease and improve the educational journey for the present and upcoming generations. I want to provide children with better education so that they can flourish and live better lives.

Q. Why did you choose this particular location to build the library? 

A. This library site was chosen because I was aware that there was a school nearby that offered no access to books or proper study places. The kids that attended wouldn’t have a complete education experience. 

Q.What was your experience of volunteering with Go Dharmic? 

A. It was amazing. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children after getting that library inaugurated was one of the most moving moments of my life. It was a moment that seemed to burst out of time. It was as if I got a glimpse into these children’s future and it looked bright. 

Q. How do you feel about the work that Go Dharmic does and the volunteering opportunities that we have?

A. Go Dharmic did a tremendous job. GD’s Shape A Future campaign helps so many children and these benefits will be long-lasting. Because of Go Dharmic there will be children that can read, write, carry out difficult problems and grow intellectually, socially and spiritually. Go Dharmic have supported us at Futures First every step of the way and in every possible way. I can’t thank them enough.