The Interact Club at G.D. Somani
The Interact Club is a global network of the Rotary International Service Club dedicated to organise and provide a platform for young people between the ages of 13 and 15 to discover their talents and potential and build a sense of service.
Interact Clubs give our school children an insight into the world of Rotary which is a worldwide network of people driven by the idea of “Service above Self”. Interactors, as young members of any Interact Club are called, get the opportunity to build leadership and organisational skills, while understanding that their role in life goes beyond themselves and their immediate families. This enables real-life opportunities to develop into socially responsible adults.
Participation in the Interact program also allows for ample experience to work in teams, providing early lessons in leadership, teamwork, unity and making the most of every situation. Through activities of the club, Interactors are exposed to the lives and realities of the less privileged, and are encouraged to explore problems they face such as pollution, shortage of water, less opportunities for education, etc. This provides a unique perspective on privilege and drives the idea of service, making them sensitive and capable of having a nuanced understanding of the world around them.
All of this is done through fun, engaging activities that make the entire experience a memorable and impactful one. This experience is crucial in their formative years, and goes a long way in shaping them into well-rounded, empathic, responsible adults.
Some key activities that we have had in the past
Social service camp: The students of class 10 attended a social service camp conducted at Nasik. It involved visiting a leprosy centre, where we donated 100 kg of rice, flour and sugar. The visit gave them a view into the life experiences of the people who had fought and survived leprosy and are now living a normal life.
SUPW camp: Students of class 9 and 10 visited a village near Igatpuri for an SUPW camp where they donated food, caps, stationary items, first aid boxes and water bottles. They performed skits and talked to the villagers about the importance of sanitation and hygiene.
Interschool events: Our school participated in Turbulence, Immaculata and Athena and won laurels for our school.
Go-Green Day: The school celebrated Go-Green Day by bringing in a host of plants and discussing the need for conservation of the environment, greenery as well as bio-diversity through the importance of trees.
Terry Fox Run: Our school participated in the Terry Fox Run – an annual fund raising run conducted to raise awareness for cancer research – named after Canadian humanitarian, Terrance Stanley Fox.