Students of South Delhi School utilise crowdfunding platform to kick start donations campaign for the disadvantaged during COVID-19 lockdown
New Delhi : Class 12 students Anahita Mahajan & Reana Soni from New Delhi’s Vasant Valley School, within a month of initiating a donations campaign to provide daily food essentials to the disadvantaged, today reached the amount pledged online on crowdfunding platform Milaap. Funds were also raised via offline community outreach, leading to a consolidated accumulation of INR 1,47,800 till date. Donations have been utilized to kick start the process of kit distribution via reliable channels. With the help of the State Legislative Assembly of Greater Kailash constituency, 100 kits have already been distributed with a plan to scale up the initiative to cover as many people as possible.
Keeping in mind a family of four, a sample grocery kit containing essentials like rice, pulses, oil, wheat flour and spices, required to feed a was curated adhering to the required safety and hygiene standards. A provider was identified who agreed to supply ration at a subsidised rate of INR 500 per kit.
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis, has left a large section of the domestic workforce unemployed, with no consistent means of earning a livelihood. Anahita & Reana took it upon themselves to launch the initiative to help the less fortunate in their immediate vicinity. Several watchmen, washers, pressers, drivers and gardeners have had their livelihoods disrupted. Community led initiatives have the potential to alleviate the financial burdens they face. Despite the ease of lock down, many have been pushed below poverty line as previous employers fear risk of infection.
Speaking on the occasion Anahita Mahajan, said “As members of this community we felt responsible for these suffering families and wanted to extend our help in getting them through these turbulent times. After finding out that families were struggling to replenish their daily ration supplies, we set out to raise money for grocery kits. We implore more fortunate individuals to take some time out and initiate any acts of kindness to alleviate the stress and depression caused during the ongoing COVID crisis“
Adding her thoughts on the motivations behind the initiative fellow contributor Reana Soni, said, “We truly believe that each small donation can make a big difference to those in need. We strive to continue in our endeavour of mobilising funds and increasing the reach and impact of this campaign until the begin people regain their livelihoods”