MOHAN Foundation conducted an Angels of Change Volunteer Training Programme for 25 students in the first year Bachelors of Social Work programme at Thiruthangal Nadar College in Chennai. The training was conducted at the MOHAN Foundation office on 05th February 2020 and the students were accompanied by Mr. John Britto, Assistant Professor at the institute.
Dr. Hemal Kanvinde – Quality Assurance Officer, Ms. Ishwarya Thyagarajan – Research Associate and Mr. Siva Shankar T S – Marketing Coordinator conducted the training programme. Mr. Prakash – Transplant Coordinator from Kauvery Hospital, Chennai was an invited speaker.
The training started with a brainstorming session by Siva Shankar and Ishwarya, where the students were asked to jot down their expectations from the training and their views on organ donation. Siva Shankar then spoke on history of MOHAN Foundation, it presence across the country and its activities to promote the cause.
Ishwarya spoke elaborately on the concepts of organ donation, explaining in detail the organs that can be donated while living and after death. She explained the difference between brain death and coma, age criteria for donating organs, myths related to organ donation, statistics, transplant law, whole body donation and concluded her session with a tribute to organ donors.
Following lunch, a video featuring Dr. Sandeep Vaish, a Neurosurgeon, illustrating brain death by was played to the participants. The next segment had Dr. Hemal Kanvinde explaining the training resource manual that was distributed and the need for public education on organ donation. The students had to opportunity to listen to a heart transplant recipient speak, read the story of an 18-year old donor and were given the task of writing a letter to the donor’s family thanking them for their brave and selfless decision. The best letters were awarded.
Siva Shankar then conducted a sample quiz that can be used by the participants when they organize awareness events in schools and colleges. The students were divided into 4 groups to get trained in four different activities: a) public speaking; b) survey taking; c) events organizing u d) using social media so that they would be able to promote the cause in various platforms.
In the next segment Mr. Prakash shared his experiences working as a transplant coordinator in hospitals, the challenges he faced while counseling the family members of the deceased. The session was very lively and interactive, while helping participants understand the importance of the role of transplant coordinators in the hospital.
The four teams explained the challenges faced when practicing the tasks assigned to them. They also came up with a plan of action for the future to promote the cause among various target groups.
The session ended with a feedback from Mr. Britto, the students and group photo. MOHAN Foundation and Thiruthangal Nadar College look forward to more such collaborations to promote the cause.
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