Priya Virmani, Founder and director of Paint Our World, a charitable trust that is dedicated to empowering the lives of victims of child sexual abuse is truly a woman of substance. With a PhD from the University of Bristol and a doctorate in Management Strategy at Harvard, Priya gave birth to ‘Paint Our World’ an NGO that aims to empower children who have been victimised by child sexual abuse.
Virmani, who is based in Delhi, spends a major part of her day away from home in the company of the kids at POW who play an important role in her life. Today is one of the many days that she will be with them involved in fun-filled activites, games and learnings that will not only teach the kids a thing or two but will influence Priya’s life too. Lets take a peek into a day in the life of Priya Virmani.
She begins her day by visiting the young kids at Paint Our world’s Delhi center. The NGO has been generous enough to organise a party for these little ones who have never really celebrated a birthday and don’t even know how to cut a cake. She helps the youngest POW members cut the cake and begin the celebrations.
The interactive party session leads to some fun games that has Priya enjoying with her favourite kiddos in tow. Since spending time with these kids give her immense joy, there cannot be an occasion which goes missed. So, Priya poses as the party is captured on camera.
Even though Priya’s schedule does not allow her to be physically active, she manages to compete with the kids just fine. What an achievement to be in the same league as these energetic, fun-filled kids she thinks.
At another of her centers, Priya gives a surprise visit to the kids landing at the center right from the airport. The visit gave rise to cheers of laughter and joy and led to an impromptu session of play, song and prayer.
A card-making session for the kids was organised where Priya was made to judge the best one. No prizes for guessing that this was one of the toughest decisions of her life. The children then posed with their cards.
A colouring and learning session followed and Priya took centre stage showing the kids a few neat strokes.
It was time for goodbyes and as she left with a heavy heart, Priya met them all personally and asked them to take good care of themselves. “These children have imparted immeasurable meaning to my life. They’ve given me so much more than I could ever give them,” she says.
Having spent a significant amount of time with them since last year Priya has grown very attached to the children and will miss them dearly. She is going to be away for a while on her business tours.
Hearing this news, 7-year-old Mitali says, “We will miss you Priya Didi – so much, that you can’t imagine, come back soon.” 8-year-old Barsha adds, “Wherever you go stay safe. You are too precious to me.” And the youngest 4-year-old Alka looked up to lament, “Do you remember I told you I love you? And you love me even more no?”
Finally home she settles down into a relaxed evening thinking about the eventful day with the lovely kids.
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