I am touched to share my experience of DLF Engage drives that gave me the opportunity to step into unfamiliar spaces and to experience the joy of volunteering.

Wall-Art at Muskaan PAEPID

My first volunteering experience was at an NGO that works for persons with disabilities called Muskaan PAEPID in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. From the moment we entered the campus, the space felt open and welcoming, with an active rhythm of its own. A guided walkthrough by the Muskaan team offered insight into the organisation's work areas and daily routines. As the day progressed, other volunteers joined us, and together we painted an educational wall art, creatively guided by ImageNation Street Art. Standing before a blank wall, brushes in hand, I watched the space slowly transform into a canvas as colours, leaves, and butterflies emerged through shared effort. The process was collaborative yet unstructured, marked by moments of conversation and concentration. A shared meal at the Muskaan canteen allowed the experience to unfold organically and conversations to settle.

Pre-Braille Activity at HarperCollins Publishers

A week later, I joined another DLF Engage activity in a different setting. Despite steady winter rain, we gathered at HarperCollins Publishers in Gurugram, guided by DLF Foundation and the NGO partner Sense International India. The atmosphere was calm and welcoming, and the warmth of the HarperCollins team immediately set the tone. The team from Sense International India shared their experiences of working with children with hearing and vision impairments, prompting me to reflect more deeply on communication, patience, and attentiveness. As part of the volunteering drive, we created Pre-Braille learning sheets, carefully selecting materials and textures. The activity required focus, reminding us that learning can take forms very different from those we are accustomed to.

Though the two engagements differed in form, one shaped by colour and shared creativity, the other by texture and quiet attentiveness, both felt connected in spirit. These experiences encouraged me to slow down, observe, and participate with love and gratitude. Through these moments, DLF Foundation's DLF Engage revealed itself not just as a volunteering programme, but as a space for connection and reflection, where learning emerges through lived experience.

—Ms Sonia Virdi
DLF Engage Volunteer

Featured in Glimpses, February 2026

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article above are those of the authors’ and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of DLF Foundation & Trusts. Unless otherwise noted, the author is writing in his/her personal capacity. They are not intended and should not be thought to represent official ideas, attitudes, or policies of any agency or institution.