Dear Readers – Our staff Mr. Daya Salins has completed 5 years with FSL-India. Over the years we’ve seen him blossom from an Assistant Team Leader to the Coordinator of the Workcamp department. He has played an active role in initiating and carrying forward our Sea Turtle Conservation program in Kundapur. On the occasion of his 5th year with FSL-India, we wish him the best and hope that he will continue to serve as a sincere and dedicated member of this organization. Here’s a few words from Daya, reflecting on his 5 years with FSL-India:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am Daya Salins and I have completed my 5 years of service for FSL India this month. I joined FSL India on April 2006 as an assistant team leader and my first work camp was in Ponnampet – Coorg.  Since then  I have been the Team Leader for 45-50 work camps which gave me the best opportunity to know many people , learn a lot of good things from volunteers and exploring many places in India. Since 2008 I am coordinating the “sea turtle conservation” project as well as coordinating work camps.

Initially when I joined FSL  India, I found it very hard to communicate and deal with volunteers because I was talking very less. It took me almost 2 years to develop  communication skills for which my seniors and colleagues were very patient and  supportive. By attending many trainings and work shops, I can now handle my tasks and challenges more efficiently. Now I am confident to  independently conduct orientation sessions, school sessions, representing in workshops ,conferences and community events.

The best time of my work camp team leading experience is the camps in rural villages of  Jodhpur- Rajasthan. My best experience of the sea turtle project is  when I got a chance to attend the International sea turtle symposium at Goa  meeting all the people who are working for sea turtle conservation around the world. I am very grateful to  our president and director  for giving me the opportunity to represent FSL India at NVDA general assembly meeting organized by VYA Taiwan at Taisi – Taiwan. It is a memorable moment of my life where I had  great  time meeting and interacting with our Asian partners  and Taiwan students during this 2 week abroad trip.

Apart from attending International sea turtle symposium, I actively participated in TAG (Turtle Action Group) annual meetings.  TAG is a network of all the  NGO’s working for sea turtle conservation  along the west and east coast of India.

Being a staff and a host family of long term volunteers for five years, I am very proud to be a part of FSL India. Looking back to 2006 and now, I see a huge difference in the development of the organization and  people who are associated  with it. Being with international volunteers for so long brought many changes in my life and now I feel more responsible for the society. For instance, i don’t use plastic bags anymore  when I go shopping, I  use horn only in emergency while driving,  I donate my blood once in every 3-4 months for the needy people, helping few children for eduction and developed some hobbies like music and reading books during free time.

I feel these 5 years are the best time of my life though there were a lot of challenges. I have learned a lot of things from these challenges being with FSL India. I am still finding difficulties in developing the habit of saying  “NO” to people which has caused troubles for me on few occasions. I am very  thankful to all my colleagues especially our president Mr. Rakesh Soans and director Mr. Rohan D’ souza for their patience, support during difficult times and various opportunities given during these 5 years.

—-   Daya