Outreach Activities Beyond Campus
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is deeply committed to extending the reach of education beyond its campuses through impactful community-based outreach initiatives that embody the spirit of lifelong learning and social responsibility. Through its flagship Volunteer Services Organization (VSO) and the active participation of faculty, students, and staff, MAHE undertakes a wide range of educational, health, and social outreach programmes designed to engage local communities, government schools, special-needs institutions, and underprivileged groups.
These initiatives are aimed at sharing knowledge, building capacity, and empowering individuals outside the university environment. Weekly and year-round programmes such as Project Vidyaa, Aarambh, Muskaan, Jyothi, and Akshara provide sustained academic and emotional support to children, while large-scale campaigns like Daan Utsav, Beach Adoption Drives, and Manipal Marathon cultivate civic awareness, environmental stewardship, and inclusivity.
By integrating classroom learning with community engagement, MAHE nurtures both intellectual and moral development among its volunteers while making tangible contributions to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Through these sustained and ad-hoc outreach efforts—supported by detailed documentation, open-access evidence, and measurable community impact—MAHE exemplifies how higher education can transform society through education beyond its walls.
The Volunteer Services Organization (VSO), a unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, was established on September 17, 2007, to create opportunities for students, staff, and their spouses at Manipal to engage meaningfully by assisting those in need. It serves as a platform that not only aids the underprivileged but also allows volunteers to develop new skills, collaborate in teams, and, most importantly, enhance their character. With a volunteer base of over 3,000 individuals (including students, faculty, and their spouses) from various constituent colleges in Manipal and Mangalore, VSO undertakes a variety of projects that encompass community service, social initiatives, organizational development, and soft skills enhancement.
VSO is dedicated to fostering a spirit of selfless service by addressing community needs and tackling societal issues. We focus on enhancing the leadership and learning skills of our volunteers. Our students, faculty, and staff work together to improve the lives of the impoverished and less fortunate, united in our mission to create a better society for all. The objectives are To respond to community needs, To address the issues of society etc.
The Volunteer Services Organization (VSO) at MAHE Bengaluru continued its mission to promote volunteerism and foster community engagement throughout the year. Through various impactful projects, events and initiatives VSO empowered students, staff, and faculty to make meaningful contributions to society while gaining valuable learnings, personal growth and skills. By introducing diverse projects, VSO involved 400+ volunteers and worked towards responding to humanity’s call and society’s needs
Project Vidyaa
Under this initiative volunteers visited two government schools in the nearby villages of Mudhenahalli and Nagadasanahalli every Saturday with an aim to provide holistic development to underprivileged 50+ children aged 5-15 years. VSO volunteers observed that students in government schools in these areas lack one on one attention and access to extracurricular activities that help develop critical thinking and confidence. This gap was addressed by delivering planned sessions that combined academic education, recreational activities, and personality development aspects. Supplementary academic support was provided in subjects like Mathematics and English especially to those who joined school late or attended irregularly along with engaging activities such as painting, storytelling, and mind games and yoga sessions for all students.
Further, to assess the impact of our intervention, volunteers designed small tests to assess their retention on alternate visits and ensured that the project, aligned with SDG 4- Quality education and SDG 10 reduced enqualities, was a meaningful addition for the students. The impact of this initiative goes beyond the target students, it fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of social inequalities in education amongst our volunteers who also gain firsthand experience in teaching and mentoring, improving their communication and leadership skills.
Volunteers Engaged: 188
Average Hours per Volunteer: 8
Total Volunteering Hours: 752
Blood Donation Camp
VSO MAHE Bengaluru organized one-day blood donation camps twice a year in collaboration with Manipal Hospitals to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for patients in need. Donation drives require large-scale community participation, and with a student body of over 8,000 students, VSO took up this voluntary blood donation program to meet this crucial demand. The initiative encouraged voluntary blood donation among students and faculty while prioritizing donor safety throughout the process. A general donor assessment was conducted to ensure eligibility before donation. Post donating, volunteers were provided with refreshments, including fruits and Glucon-D, and kept under supervision for 15 minutes to ensure their well-being.
The donation drives saw a total footfall of 400+ students and faculty, resulting in the collection of 178 units of blood. Volunteers played a crucial role in managing the event, from coordinating registrations to assisting donors during and after the process.
Volunteers Engaged: 26
Average Hours per Volunteer: 6
Total Volunteering Hours: 156
Daan Utsav
From 2nd to 8th October 2024, VSO organized Daan Utsav at the Bengaluru campus, its flagship event to celebrate the joy of giving. This annual week-long initiative is dedicated to fostering the spirit of generosity and encouraging students, faculty, and staff to give back to the community in meaningful ways.
A core component of Daan Utsav was the organization of multiple donation drives for essential items, including food, clothes, sanitary pads, books, and blood. Volunteers actively participated in door-to-door collection across hostels and academic blocks to maximize contributions. The collected donations were meticulously sorted to ensure proper distribution:
- Food Donation: Funds raised during the event were utilized to provide ration supplies—including rice, wheat, dal, sugar, and cooking oil—to an old age home for women, ensuring they had access to nutritious meals.
- Book and Teaching Aid Collection: Books and teaching materials collected were distributed among students in government schools visited as part of Project Vidyaa, bridging educational gaps for underprivileged children.
- Clothes and Sanitary Pad Donation: Essential clothing and sanitary pads were donated to The Blessing Home orphanage, supporting the basic needs of young women and girls.
- Blood Donation: A blood donation camp was conducted in collaboration with Manipal Hospitals to ensure a steady supply of safe blood for patients in need.
To further engage the campus community, Daan Utsav incorporated a range of awareness initiatives designed to educate and inspire participation and promote the message of giving. These initiatives included flash mobs and street plays where enthusiastic volunteers performed in key locations on campus to generate excitement, highlight pressing social issues and encouraged active community involvement.
A unique and heartwarming addition to the week was the Wish Wall Initiative a platform that allowed campus help staff, including mess workers, security personnel, and housekeeping staff, to share their small wishes or desires. These wishes were prominently displayed on the Wish Wall, inviting students, faculty, and other members of the university to fulfill them. This initiative went beyond material donations; it fostered a culture of appreciation, respect, and inclusion within the campus, strengthening the bond between the student body and the dedicated workforce that supports daily campus operations.
Daan Utsav 2024 successfully created a ripple effect of kindness and generosity across the MAHE Bengaluru campus. Through collective efforts, hundreds of individuals benefited from the donations, while volunteers gained invaluable experience in social service, teamwork, and leadership. The event not only provided essential resources to those in need but also reinforced the importance of community engagement and the power of giving back.
Volunteer Participation: 64
Average Hours per Volunteer: 10
Community Impact: 400+ individuals
Project Sanjeevani- visit to paediatric ward
The Sanjeevani Project, an initiative under the Volunteer Service Organization (VSO), aims to bring joy and engagement to children through interactive sessions every Sunday. The project focuses on fostering connections with the kids through various activities such as drawings, coloring, musical chairs, and passing the parcel. By creating a vibrant and dynamic environment, the Sanjeevani Project not only offers recreational opportunities but also promotes social interaction and creativity among the children. This dedicated effort reflects the commitment of the Volunteer Service Organization to make a positive impact on the lives of the younger generation, fostering a sense of community and joy in the process.
Total number of volunteers participated: 203
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hrs
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 406 hrs
Project Umang - A visit to Asha Nilaya
The project aims to provide recreational activities to mentally disabled kids aged 6 to 18 from Asha Nilaya, Udupi. The kids actively take part in various activities such as colouring, drawing, dancing, singing, building blocks, passing the ball, and displaying their talents. This is a unique project that is done once in every two weeks. The focus of the project is to improve the fine motor and gross motor skills and also to improve their overall mental well-being. These weekly projects involve engaging and interacting with them and serves as an enriching experience enjoyed by both the coordinators and the enthusiastic youngsters. The volunteers thoroughly enjoy teaching the kids and consider it a stress buster between their hectic weekdays.
Total number of volunteers participated: 92
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hrs
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 184 hrs
Project Jyothi- A visit to Asare
Asare a home for the differently abled. Welcoming hearts, a big smile, pure innocence, and enthusiasm are all that the residents at Asare hold for you as they await all VSO Sundays. A group of 20 Volunteers and the project coordinator engaged with the residents every Sunday from 4 to 6 PM. Here, the volunteers get to spend time with the residents by engaging them in activities like drawing, colouring, singing, dancing, playing, meditating, passing the ball, etc., giving them an essence of well-being and, moreover building team spirit and a bond that would hold you grounded, making you want to come again soon. These weekly projects involve engaging and interacting with them and serve as an enriching experience enjoyed by the coordinators and the enthusiastic youngsters. The volunteers thoroughly enjoy teaching the kids and consider it a stress buster between their hectic weekdays.
Total number of volunteers participated: 277
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hrs
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 554 hrs
Project Day Care
Project Daycare: visit the Daycare centre of MAHE, Manipal. In this project, the participants engaged the kids availing the daycare facility of MAHE in various creative and entertaining activities like colouring, playing games in a group and in the sand pit, singing and dancing, and having a lot of fun. We have successfully conducted the summer camp known as Sunny Smiles this year, where kids aged 9-13 of the faculties of MAHE. This is a unique project that we do under Daycare via VSO. During the regular weekly project for an hour, we tend to keep simple yet fun activities to brighten the spirits of cute little kids. We try to experiment with different activities for each project. Few children like to draw and colour, while others want to play, run, and dance. We keep both sessions for everyone on the same day, but those who like to dance are allowed to do the same, while others who love doing crafts engage in their creations. We let them be in their world while we go along their way of doing things and enjoy an hour of forgetting and leaving our world behind.
Total number of volunteers participated: 151
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 1 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 151 hrs
Project Muskaan – visit to Bijapur colony
Project Muskaan is a weekly project where volunteers visit Bijapur Colony, where VSO (Volunteer Service Organization) volunteers engage with the community. These dedicated volunteers ventured into the Manipal slums, focusing on educating children aged 5 to 18. The curriculum included imparting general knowledge about the country and essential health and hygiene practices. In addition to structured lessons, the volunteers organized team-building activities, brain games, and fun games to cater to the diverse age group. The interaction fostered a special bond between the kids and the VSO volunteers, creating a positive and impactful experience beyond traditional teaching methods.
Total number of volunteers participated: 155
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 310 hrs
PROJECT CLEAN MANIPAL CAMPAIGN
The Clean Manipal Campaign is a VSO (Volunteer Services Organization) project conducted weekly to make our immediate surroundings cleaner while raising awareness about the harmful substances that degrade our environment. It highlights the importance of zero pollution so that human beings, nature, and wildlife can thrive in ideal conditions. Volunteers scout local areas and collect myriad items of waste that have been strewn over almost every road. The waste is segregated into glass, paper, and plastic, and efforts are made to ensure the area is clean again.
Total number of volunteers participated: 112
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 224 hrs
Project Aarambh – visit to the orphanage
The project aarambh primarily aims to bring joy and a sense of belonging to the lives of children residing in orphanages. Every Sunday, our team of volunteers visits a local orphanage, creating an environment where children can express themselves through various activities like drawing, colouring, and playing with toys. The main focus of this project is to spend quality time with them and engage them in different ways, like playing games and dancing with them. Volunteers enthusiastically participate in this project and enjoy their experience in the orphanage.
Total number of volunteers participated: 154
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 308 hrs
Project Asha – visit to old age home
Every Sunday, A team of 20 volunteers visit the old age home with dedication and enthusiasm. This project enhances positive interaction with residents through various activities, including skill-sharing, singing, dancing, quizzes, and more. Our primary objective is to create a warm and inviting environment that encourages meaningful interactions, fostering a delightful and mutually enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Total number of volunteers participated: 96
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 192 hrs
Project Vidya: Visit to Namma Bhoomi
Project Vidya has been an integral part of VSO. The project has always focused on educating student residents of Namma Bhoomi of the age group of 10-18 years about basic life lessons like career planning and basic English communicational features like questioning words, nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs. The project's main objective is to help the kids learn life skills that will help them in the future.
- The weekly projects engage volunteers and the kids in fun, interactive and informative activities,
including teaching and learning. The volunteers adore the kids and enjoy teaching them.
Total number of volunteers participated: 219
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 3 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 657 hrs
Project Akshara: Visit to academic school
Project Akshara is pivotal in VSO, Visit to Academy Higher Primary School in Manipal. This project primarily focuses on engaging and targeting students who are 10 years old. In this initiative, dedicated volunteers actively engage children in a spectrum of creative activities, encompassing drawing, crafts, painting, and origami. Simultaneously, they undertake the crucial task of educating the children, focusing on enhancing their English vocabulary. The project also embraces the spirit of national pride and cultural significance by commemorating events such as Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Karnataka Rajyotsava, and Diwali through activities like quizzes and essay writing, enabling children to learn about and appreciate the historical and cultural significance of these occasions. We organized a special project celebrating Children's Day, featuring 25 games tailored for children in grades 1 to 5. The event concluded with a vibrant dance session and a ceremony to distribute prizes. This project nurtures creativity and imparts valuable knowledge, enriching the overall development of the participating children.
Total number of volunteers participated: 103
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 1 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 103 hrs
Project Beach adoption
Every Sunday, 20-40 volunteers go to the beach in Udupi and clean a slight stretch (250ms). The collected waste is segregated into 6 categories- paper waste, hard plastic, plastic bottles, plastic wrappers/bags, glass bottles, and discarded fishnets. We continue cleaning the stretch from where we stopped the previous week every week. Our main objective is to clean the beach & the surrounding area and create awareness in the local people and prevent them from dumping even more waste on the coastal side.
Total number of volunteers participated: 385
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 770 hrs
Project Aakansha – visit to cancer shelter
Under project Akansha, volunteers visit the Access life Cancer Shelter home for children in Manipal and spend quality time with them. Children engage in craft activities, board games, dance, and music. This project aims to provide a regular source of comfort and joy to young cancer patients, fostering connections and positive experiences during their challenging journey. It is a rewarding experience filled with joy and happy moments for both the kids and the volunteers.
Total number of volunteers participated: 50
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 100 hrs
Project Belaku- Visit to CSI Boys Boarding School
The Belaku project is one of the newest additions to the list of VSO initiatives. Started in October 2024, the project aims to educate young boys aged 10 to 18, from CSI boarding school, on various topics. The focus of the project is to improve the language skills of the young boys, particularly in English, and also make them aware of the various fields they can pursue in the future.
These weekly projects involve engaging and interacting with them and serves as an enriching experience, enjoyed by both the coordinators and the enthusiastic youngsters. The volunteers thoroughly enjoy teaching the kids and consider it a stress buster between their hectic weekdays.
Total number of volunteers participated: 121
No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 2 hr
Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 242 hrs
Project Kushi – Bringing Joy to Young Cancer Patients
Project Kushi is a heartfelt initiative that aims to bring joy and laughter to young cancer patients and their families. Through this monthly project, a dedicated group of 8 volunteers spends a total of 24 hours engaging with children through various games and fun activities. These interactions provide a much-needed escape from the challenges of their illnesses, fostering a sense of hope and positivity.
The project has successfully touched the lives of 30 children, offering emotional support and creating lasting memories. By promoting Good Health and Well-being, this initiative has not only brightened the days of the patients but also strengthened the community bond, reminding everyone of the power of kindness and care.
Total number of volunteers participated: 8 No. of hours contributed by each volunteer: 3 hours Total No. of hours contributed for this project: 24 hours
Synergy
On 21st January 2024, the Volunteer Service Organization (VSO) hosted its highly anticipated Synergy Gathering, bringing together 45 active VSO coordinators for a day filled with enjoyment, laughter, and impactful team-building exercises. The event fostered meaningful connections among participants, strengthening relationships and uplifting spirits through a dynamic blend of interactive games, motivational discussions, and reflective sessions. This gathering not only served as a platform for personal connection but also reinforced the collective mission of service and support, encouraging participants to continue their impactful work with renewed enthusiasm. The success of the event highlighted the power of unity and collaboration in driving VSO’s goals, leaving everyone with a sense of fulfilment and a stronger commitment to making a difference.
Manipal Marathon
On 11th February, the Volunteer Service Organization (VSO) played a pivotal role in the successful organization of the Manipal Marathon, with over 15,000 participants taking part in this exciting event. VSO volunteers were instrumental in various crucial responsibilities, including marking the marathon routes across different stretches, setting up refreshment stalls, ensuring runners stayed on track at intersections, and coordinating the vibrant Manipal Carnival that followed the marathon. A total of 550 volunteers engaged in the event, contributing 2,750+ social hours to make the marathon a seamless and memorable experience for all involved. The active involvement of VSO volunteers helped ensure the smooth execution of the marathon while fostering a sense of community spirit and collaboration.
Kidathon
On 3rd March 2024, VSO organized Kidathon, a promo run for Tarang, aimed at engaging children in a fun and meaningful way while promoting afforestation and environmental awareness. The event saw active participation from over 300 children, and as part of the initiative, each participant was gifted one of the 500+ saplings distributed to encourage the importance of environmental conservation. A dedicated team of 80 volunteers worked tirelessly throughout the event, contributing 800+ social hours to ensure the success of the program. The Kidathon not only provided an enjoyable experience for the children but also reinforced the significance of taking proactive steps towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Tarang
On Sunday, March 10th, 2024, VSO-MAHE hosted the 10th edition of its annual kite flying festival, TARANG, embracing the theme "One Sky, One World, with every breeze that blows, sustainability grows." This year, TARANG 2024 soared beyond the traditional festivities by highlighting the importance of sustainability in a fun and engaging way. The event attracted over 5,000 participants, with 2,000 tickets sold, creating an exciting and vibrant atmosphere. A dedicated team of 120 volunteers contributed 480 social hours to ensure the smooth execution of the event. Through the celebration of kite flying, TARANG 2024 fostered a sense of unity and environmental awareness, reminding everyone that every small action can help the planet grow stronger, just like the winds that carried the kites.
Sunny Smiles
Sunny Smiles, a 21-day summer camp organized for children aged 7-14, took place daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, offering a perfect blend of enjoyment and education. Over the course of the camp, 52 children actively participated in a wide range of exciting activities, from creative workshops to interactive games. The camp was led by 40 activity facilitators and supported by 20 dedicated volunteers, who collectively contributed 420+ social hours to ensure its success. Each day was filled with fun-filled and engaging experiences that the children embraced with enthusiasm, making Sunny Smiles a memorable and enriching summer for everyone involved.
National Conference in Youth Change
The 5th National Conference on Youth in Social Change, hosted by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, was an inspiring testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. Centered around the theme "Bridging Academic and Corporate Volunteering for Social Change," the event brought together a vibrant mix of over 600 leaders, students, and changemakers from more than 20 institutions.
The conference featured thought-provoking sessions led by a stellar lineup of speakers, including D Carthigueane from NSS, Mr. Sankara Mahalingam of Firstsource, Capt. Shanthi S. from Infosys Foundation, Harish Deshistha Kulkarni of Tata Communications, Satyam Gambhir from Platform Commons, and Abishek Iyappan representing SBI Youth Fellowship. Their insights illuminated pathways for harnessing collective efforts to address pressing societal challenges.
A standout moment of the event was the dynamic poster presentation competition, where creativity and innovation took centre stage. Participants unveiled groundbreaking ideas, sparking meaningful conversations and potential solutions to real-world problems. The energy in the room was palpable as young minds collaborated to envision a brighter future.
The conference wasn’t just a gathering—it was a movement. It exemplified the power of partnership between academia and the corporate world in driving social transformation. The resounding success of the event owes its gratitude to the inspiring speakers, enthusiastic participants, and the dedicated organizing team, whose combined efforts have paved the way for sustained change.
Daan Utsav
Daan Utsav 2024, organized by the Volunteer Service Organization (VSO), was a remarkable celebration of compassion, unity, and community-driven impact from October 2 to 8. With over 100 projects conducted and the enthusiastic involvement of 2,436 volunteers contributing an incredible 6,388 social hours, the initiative made a profound difference, touching the lives of more than 8,000 individuals. The week-long event tackled a variety of social challenges through impactful efforts such as meal distributions, hygiene kit drives, and donation campaigns for toys, clothes, grains, and blood. These projects provided critical support to underserved communities, while initiatives like tree plantations and clean-up drives promoted sustainability and environmental stewardship. Daan Utsav 2024 was more than an event—it was a movement that fostered kindness, empowered communities, and left an enduring legacy of hope and transformation.