Volunteerism
Operation Smile lights up lives
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very Saturday morning at The Bermuda High School, up to 15 children with autism play, run and,
in their own way, connect with a bunch of hard-working girls whose dedication makes this all happen.
It takes a lot of planning, patience and energy. But the payback goes both ways. “On the day, we forget all the stress involved in getting ready,” says Anugraha Chandrasekaran, an IB1 student who helped start the playgroup. “I can’t help but smile and laugh on that day.” Fittingly, the project is called Operation Smile.
Anugraha, or Anu for short, says the idea first came about when she learned that her form tutor, Monica Willcott, has a nephew with autism. Initially, the plan was to raise money for a community group, such as Bermuda Autism Support and Education, or BASE. But a meeting with Susannah Cole, who is the BASE autism consultant, quickly sparked the idea for a playgroup. For Anu, who hopes someday to be a doctor, the project combines a desire to work with children and a love of volunteering.
“I have always loved playing with my sister and my little cousins,” Anu says. “It has always been my passion to make people smile and be happy. This was the perfect way to not only make other kids smile, but also feel good about being a volunteer.
“In my opinion, it is much more satisfying to volunteer in an area of your interest than just volunteering to get hours (for IB requirements).” Anu had teamed up with fellow IB1 student Rachel Soares in coming up with plans for the playgroup, but they would need help. When they reached out to other BHS
10 Torchbearer Spring 2012
Smiles all around: Rachel Soares and Anu Chandrasekaran (above l-r) run a play group for children with autism.
students, they found plenty of girls “really keen to get involved.” Since the first playgroup last November,
around 30 girls have helped out at different levels. Girls in Year 7 through Year 10 pitch in to play on Saturdays. The Year 11 and IB students also help plan activities. “The children in the playgroup, who attend public schools, are often isolated. A goal is to help them with social skills while also spreading awareness in the community,” Anu says.
BASE defines autism on its website as a “complex developmental disability.” It impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure and play activities, according to BASE. The disorder also makes it hard for them to communicate with others and to relate to the outside world. The children in the group, who range in age from 3 to 11, have attention spans of about 15 minutes. So for the playgroup to work, the girls plan activities with simple, step-by-step instructions. This includes games such as duck- duck-goose and crafts such as macaroni necklaces. They also play on the school playground.
The girls contribute their own touches too. One brought her guitar one morning
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