“So, What Do You Do?” Features AVSAR’s Story As The Lead Chapter

Ashish Goyal is the founder of AVSAR Volunteers and his story has been featured in Joel Comm’s new book titled, So, What Do You Do? Joel Comm is a New York Times best-selling author and sought out interesting people from across the country to participate in this project. Joel hopes this will be the first book of many, kind of like the well-know book series Chicken Soup for the Soul.

In total, 50 stories were written by individuals that were selected by Joel. The first 10 applicants to be selected for the book made it onto the cover, but Ashish learned of the opportunity just as the last few slots were being filled. Ashish says, “Writing about the year of volunteer service that led to the creation of AVSAR was a bit of a challenge. How do you sum up one of the most powerful years of your life into 1200-1500 words?”

He goes on to say, “I had to trim a lot of my story, but with the help of Meenakshi [AVSAR’s Co-Founder], I was able to write a chapter that does a great job of capturing some of the many challenges that I faced while working in one of the largest poverty-stricken slum areas in the world.”

The chapter follows Ashish through his experience as a medical student volunteering in Mumbai, India all the way to the successful creation of AVSAR. Especially touching is his retelling of a powerful encounter he had with a sick child laborer from a Mumbai sweatshop during his last day as a volunteer. It was that encounter that inspired Ashish to create AVSAR.

“Writing about that time in my life brought back memories and inspirations that reminded me of the reasons that I started AVSAR. I’m more energized than ever, and I’m eager to see how people respond to the chapter. I’m especially hopeful that folks will be inspired by my recent $50,000 donation to AVSAR and decide to make a donation of their own.”

While Ashish’s name isn’t on the front cover of the book, his chapter was felt to be so powerful that Joel Comm decided to make it the lead chapter in So, What Do You Do?

If you would like to get a signed copy of the book, simply make a donation to AVSAR for $100 or more by the end of October 2013. We’re trying to raise an additional $50,000 by 2014 and your help will go a long way towards making that a reality. Just click the donate button below.

Are you interested in reading more stories from AVSAR Volunteers? Would you like to learn more about how YOU can help AVSAR? Just fill out the form below!

Helping Where Help Is Needed – AVSAR Volunteers