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Nitish Sharma
It is 4 pm on Saturday and some underprivileged minor children with bags on their shoulders are seen entering a dharamshala at Mochi Mandi in Ambala Cantonment. Some college-going students have been waiting for them to teach them and encourage them to pursue education.
This group of youths working under the banner of the Idrish Foundation has been an inspiration for many in Ambala Cantonment. Most of the foundation members are college students while some are doing part-time jobs along with studies.
The foundation has 20 fulltime members and 40 special volunteers. It all started nearly three years ago when some friends, who were studying at SD College (Lahore) in Ambala Cantonment, started teaching underprivileged children near the college.
At present, the foundation is teaching around 180 such children (from pre-nursery to Class X) at different locations, including Mochi Mandi, near Gandhi Ground, and near the Tangri river, in Ambala Cantonment. The parents of a majority of the children are illiterate and engaged in petty jobs.
The foundation members, who don’t want their names to be mentioned, say, “The prime objective behind forming the foundation was to help underprivileged children. Every child must get an equal opportunity to have education. Our strong belief is that if a child’s basics are right, he or she will study better. An educated society can change the world. These children have a tendency to drop out of school as their parents are illiterate and least bothered about studies. Some of the children, who earlier used to pick rags, are now attending schools and doing well”. Most of the children go to government schools.
The foundation members say that their aim is to encourage underprivileged children, who have been going to schools but not getting quality education, and strengthen their basics.
A foundation member says, “It was hard to convince the parents of some children and sometimes they behaved rudely with us. However, their misbehaviour has never deterred us from finding more children”. Along with textbook knowledge, the foundation also teaches them how to draw and dance.
A positive change is being observed in the behaviour of children, too. Khushi, a Class IX student of Sewa Samiti Girls Senior Secondary School, wants to be a lawyer; Deepak, a Class VII student, wants to join the Army, while Puja of Class V wants to become a doctor. At present, the classes are being held on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) only, as most of the volunteers are students and there is a shortage of volunteers as well.
The foundation members say that they want to collaborate with other NGOs working for the welfare of underprivileged children in Ambala so that they can help each other in their projects. The foundation has adopted four underprivileged children and pays their tuition fees. This year, it has decided to adopt two more children whose fathers are suffering from terminal cancer.
The foundation member says that they have decided to adopt a boy, who left studies after Class IX, and a girl, who is studying in college, as their fathers are in the last stage of cancer. While the boy will be enrolled in a private school, the girl will be provided college fee. There is a plan to adopt 10 such children whose parents are suffering from terminal cancer.
They say instead of looking towards the government for everything, citizens should come forward and help fellow citizens. “We are confident that there are thousands of more talented but underprivileged children who can perform well and bring good results if provided some assistance,” they add.
The foundation members say that they work for the children and not for fame. They thank SD College Principal Dr Rajinder Rana for supporting and guiding their cause.
Rana says, “About three years ago, a few students started teaching underprivileged children near the college. Since sending students out of the college was risky, a team was formed and then they were allowed to go out during their free time. We were really impressed with their dedication to the cause and so we decided to help and guide them. Though they have passed out of the college, whenever we organise an event, they along with children are invited so that they can learn and participate”.
“These youths are highly motivated and they want to work for poor children. In order to help them, the college identifies more volunteers through the Youth Red Cross who can voluntarily work with the foundation. We have set a target to identify 30 to 40 more volunteers for the foundation,” he adds. The foundation doesn’t accept monetary donations and its members have been spending from their own pockets. However, people can help them with stationery, study material, bags, and school uniforms.
Group of volunteers a dedicated lot
About three years ago, a few students started teaching underprivileged children near the college. Since sending students out of the college was risky, a team was formed and then they were allowed to go out during their free time. We were really impressed with their dedication to the cause and so we decided to help and guide them. These youths are highly motivated and they want to work for poor children. In order to help them, the college identifies more volunteers through the Youth Red Cross who can voluntarily work with the foundation. We have set a target to identify 30 to 40 more volunteers for the foundation. — Dr Rajinder Rana, Principal of SD College, Ambala Cantonment
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