VOLUNTEERING
AT NGO
By- Prabhnoor Singh
INTRODUCTION
Internship at Himmat NGO was undertaken as part of an academic and
experiential learning program to gain practical exposure to social work and
community development. The internship was carried out from 18th June 2025
to 18th July 2025, during which I worked as a volunteer supporting various
welfare initiatives of the organization.
Himmat NGO is a non-profit organization devoted to the welfare and
empowerment of women, differently-abled people and underprivileged
children. The organization works tirelessly to promote education, self-reliance,
and dignity among marginalized groups through awareness campaigns, skill
development workshops, and community outreach programs.
This internship provided me an opportunity to understand the functioning of a
non-governmental organization, interact directly with beneficiaries, and
contribute to projects aimed at improving the quality of life for vulnerable
sections of society. It also helped bridge the gap between theoretical
knowledge and field application, allowing me to develop empathy,
organizational skills, and a sense of social responsibility.
ABOUT THE NGO
Himmat NGO is a non-governmental organization
founded by Mr. Harpreet Singh on 13th April
2016. The word “Himmat” means courage,
reflecting the organization’s mission to inspire
strength and hope among those in need. The
NGO is committed to the welfare of women,
differently-abled, and underprivileged children,
providing them with education, skill training, and
essential support for a better and more
independent life.
In addition to social welfare programs, Himmat
NGO also focuses on healthcare accessibility. It
operates two health test laboratories located on
Majitha Road, Amritsar which provide affordable
medical testing and health check-up services for
poor and needy individuals. Through its various
initiatives including skill development workshops,
awareness campaigns, educational support, and
ration distribution drives the organization
continues to work towards building a society
based on equality, dignity, and compassion.
OBJECTIVES OF INTERNSHIP
To gain practical experience: The internship aimed to help me understand
how an NGO functions and how social work is carried out at the
community level. It provided hands-on experience in planning and
participating in welfare programs.
To contribute to social welfare: The main goal was to support activities
that help women, differently-abled, and underprivileged children by taking
part in awareness drives, ration distribution, and follow-up visits.
To develop personal and professional skills: The internship helped improve
my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It also taught
me patience, empathy, and the importance of social responsibility. •
To connect theory with practice: The experience allowed me to apply what
I learned in academics to real-life situations, helping me understand the
challenges faced by marginalized groups and how NGOs work to solve
them.
ACTIVITIES PERFORMED
During my internship at Himmat NGO, I got the opportunity to take part in
various social and community-based activities. My work mainly focused on
helping the NGO staff in organizing and managing welfare programs..
I took part in follow-up visits to check on families who had previously
received support, ensuring their basic needs were being met. These
visits helped me understand the importance of consistent care and
communication.
I helped in organizing awareness and educational sessions for
women and underprivileged children, where topics such as hygiene,
education, and self-care were discussed.
I also contributed to record keeping, maintaining attendance and
beneficiary details under the guidance of the staff members.
I participated in field visits to nearby communities to observe
the conditions in which the NGO works and to interact directly with the
people in need.
I assisted in the distribution of food
and ration kits to poor and differently-
abled individuals. This included
helping in packing, organizing, and
handing over the supplies to the
beneficiaries
I also contributed to record keeping,
maintaining attendance and
beneficiary details under the guidance
of the staff members.
Apart from field activities, I learned
how the NGO manages its daily
operations, including communication,
planning, and teamwork.
Through these experiences, I
understood how small efforts and
collective work can create a positive
impact in society.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE GAINED
Organizational and management skills – Developed planning and time
management skills by assisting in awareness campaigns, training sessions
and follow up visits. I learned hoe to organize tasks efficiently and manage
field work activities responsibly.
Teamwork and coordination – Working with NGO staff and other volunteers
taught me the importance of cooperation and mutual support. I learned how
to coordinate activities, share responsibilities, and work together towards
common goals in a positive and respectful manner.
Communication skills – Learned to interact with staff and people from
different backgrounds, improving verbal and interpersonal communication.
This experience helped me become more confident, patient vand
empathetic.
.
Problem-Solving and Adaptability:
Learned to handle unexpected
situations in the field, adapt to
resource constraints, and find
practical solutions during program
execution.
Social Awareness and Empathy:
Gained a deeper understanding of the
challenges faced by underprivileged
communities and developed
sensitivity toward their social,
economic, and health-related issues.
Documentation and Reporting Skills:
Learned to maintain records of
beneficiaries, track program
outcomes, and assisted in compiling
reports for NGO activities.
CHALLENGES FACED
Limited Resources: The NGO often faced shortages of supplies or manpower
during distribution drives and awareness programs. Working in such
conditions taught me how to adapt and find practical solutions despite
limited resources
Communication Barriers: One of the main challenges was communicating
effectively with beneficiaries, especially those who spoke in different local
dialects or had hearing or speech difficulties. It required patience,
understanding, and sometimes non-verbal communication to convey
messages clearly.
Emotional Challenges: Interacting closely with underprivileged and
differently-abled individuals was emotionally moving. Seeing their struggles
and hardships was difficult at times, but it also strengthened my empathy
and motivation to help others.
Time Management: Balancing fieldwork, reporting, and coordination with
other volunteers sometimes became challenging. Managing multiple tasks in
limited time taught me to plan better and prioritize responsibilities.
CONCLUSION
My internship at Himmat NGO was a very meaningful and learning
experience. It helped me understand how an NGO works and how social
service can bring real change in people’s lives. During my internship
from 18th June 2025 to 18th July 2025, I got the chance to work closely
with people from different backgrounds, and learn about their problems
and needs
By taking part in food and ration distribution, follow-up visits, and
awareness activities, I learned teamwork, communication, and time
management. This internship taught me the value of kindness, empathy,
and helping others. It also helped me to improve communication,
teamwork and organizational skills.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience that encouraged me to do more
social work in the future and be more responsible toward society.
Thank you
