Kavitha Kalyanam - Volunteer of the Month for April 2020

We are pleased to congratulate Kavitha Kalyanam for being nominated as our Volunteer of the Month for April 2020! Starting as a volunteer in November of last year, Kavitha has been a huge help in a relatively short time. Volunteering primarily with the Children’s Program, she has contributed her time on a weekly basis to the Early Learning Across Cultures Project. The ELACP is a safe place for parents and children to make new friends, learn about other cultures, and share their experiences. Her help with this project has been invaluable, and she has been a friendly and familiar face for everyone involved for the past 3 months. We really appreciate her generosity and dedication. Here is Kavitha’s story.

I was born in India, and moved to Canada 2010. I live in the Northeast of Calgary. I have a Master’s degree in Finance, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration in Human resources. When I first arrived I worked as a stay-at-home mother and I attended LINC and English workshops.

After moving to Calgary, I volunteered in my children’s school. At Immigrant Services Calgary, I attended woman’s workshops and then started volunteering for the Early Learning Across Cultures Project for 3 1/2 hours a day during the week. 

I have enjoyed working with the team, the children, and their families. This experience has made me reflect and consider possibly going back to school and obtain my Early Learning Certificate. 

I enjoy being busy and being involved in the community. I like to work hard and I give any job my best.

I have enjoyed volunteering at ISC; it has been a wonderful experience. Thanks so much for honouring me in my new work. 

Thank you Kavitha. We are always happy when volunteering gives participants a chance to experience something new and find a new passion. Here is what the Facilitator of the Early Childhood Program had to say about Kavitha:

Kavitha Kalyanam was a volunteer in the Early Learning Across Cultures project. She completed 32 hours of volunteering for this project. She helped us in the morning preschool program, and we are so grateful for her assistance. When Kavitha arrived, she would help set up activities and greet the children. Her warm and understanding nature was appreciated. Children were drawn to her lovable and calm personality. What we truly enjoyed the most though was Kavitha would think ahead for things needed and always be one step ahead of the facilitators. She even volunteered to show us where to purchase Holi powder for our festival.

She did not require direction and could find work to complete even on her own. If she did not have tasks or activities to complete, she would see a need and jump into action.

We wish her well and know that with her positive attitude and work hard attitude she will do well.

• Darlene McLeod, Early Childhood Program Team Lead and Facilitator