![\"\"](\"http:\/\/fsl-india.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/P1010305.jpg\" "\\"OLYMPUS")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/fsl-india.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/DSC00513.jpg\" "\\"DSC00513\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 Since then\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Initially when I joined FSL\u00a0 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\u00a0 communication skills for which my seniors and colleagues were very patient and\u00a0 supportive. By attending many trainings and work shops, I can now handle my tasks and challenges more efficiently. Now I am confident to\u00a0 independently conduct orientation sessions, school sessions, representing in workshops ,conferences and community events.<\/p>\n The best time of my work camp team leading experience is the camps in rural villages of\u00a0 Jodhpur- Rajasthan. My best experience of the sea turtle project is\u00a0 when I got a chance to attend the International sea turtle symposium at Goa\u00a0 meeting all the people who are working for sea turtle conservation around the world. I am very grateful to\u00a0 our president and director\u00a0 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\u00a0 great\u00a0 time meeting and interacting with our Asian partners\u00a0 and Taiwan students during this 2 week abroad trip.<\/p>\n Apart from attending International sea turtle symposium, I actively participated in TAG (Turtle Action Group) annual meetings.\u00a0 TAG is a network of all the\u00a0 NGO’s working for sea turtle conservation\u00a0 along the west and east coast of India.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0 people who are associated\u00a0 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\u00a0 when I go shopping, I\u00a0 use horn only in emergency while driving,\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0 \u201cNO\u201d to people which has caused troubles for me on few occasions. I am very\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n —-\u00a0\u00a0 Daya<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n