Owning a home is a dream that everyone carries. The dream may turn to reality for some and it remains as a dream for some. Even Pooja (name changed), a 12th standard student, has that same dream to have her own home but considering her financial status, it will be really difficult for her to turn her dream to a reality. The National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram is now on a mission to build a home for their schoolmate. Even if it is a small house, they want to ensure that their friend has a safe shelter.
Every year the volunteers of NSS come up with effective and innovative programs. So when the turn came this year, the students decided to help a needy from themselves itself. Knowing the life their schoolmate leads, the 50 odd volunteers of NSS Unit Number 19, of St. Mary’s school decided to raise funds for their friend. The school management also supported the students for their noble venture. At present Pooja is living in her relative’s house.
The next stage was to make an estimate cost of the house to be built. Keeping the amount as 6 lakhs as per their estimate, the volunteers began their effort to collect the amount. The students started collecting old newspapers from the nearby houses and from their own. Some of the resident associations also came up with a helping hand. Though it was for a cause, this also gave the message of waste material management.
Dr Leju P Thomas, the NSS programme officer, told The Kochi Post, “When we began this initiative, the only thing that was there in our minds was to provide a shelter for our student. We understood the difficulties that the family was facing. So we thought of doing our part to help her. Pooja lost her father during early childhood and has been raised by her mother. During the summer vacation, we have made fund raising coupons and distributed it among the students. In all the possible ways we are gathering the amount. The students took the initiative to greater levels and the enthusiasm was evident in all the students.”
The 600 square feet house is being built at a land owned by Pooja in the Pothencode panchayath. The dream of a young girl to have her own home has started turning to a reality. Foundation works have commenced and in the next stage of the construction, the NSS volunteers will also join as labourers. The students are also planning to manufacture cleansers for sale and the proceeds from the sales will be donated for the house construction.
This initiative by school children truly deserves applause and is a model worth emulating for others. For our readers who wish to be part of this drive, kindly send your donations to the bank account mentioned below.
Account Number: 57000249726
Bank and Branch: State Bank of Travancore, Kesavadasapuram
IFSC Code: SBTR0000671
If you wish to support/volunteer in any other way, you can get in touch with Dr Leju P Thomas directly. (Mobile: +91 94475 82827 or [email protected])
Main image is taken from the official website of National Service Scheme.
