A Letter from a First-Time Volunteer

I signed up to volunteer at Kadamai Saranalayam because a friend told me it would be meaningful. I had no idea what to expect. I arrived on a Saturday morning, slightly nervous. A staff member gave me a brief orientation and then walked me to the common room where several residents were sitting. An elderly man named Rajan gestured for me to sit next to him. He didn't speak much Hindi or English, and I don't speak much Tamil. But we sat together for two hours

looking at an old photo album he keeps on the table. He pointed at each photo and I nodded. I understood everything. I have been back every Saturday since. Some connections don't need language.