Mumbai: Powai school funds studies of 200 underprivileged kids

The Raheja Vista Senior Citizen Group sells newspapers and magazines collected from their society to help the needy

Amid the economic hardships brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic that have threatened many children's education, a Powai-based school raised Rs 40 lakh for students whose parents lost their incomes.

The initiative was started by Powai English High School's (PEHS) principal, Shirley Udayakumar Panikker. Panikker reached out to citizens, corporates and NGOs through social media.

Powai English High School is attended by students from the middle class and the elite. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

"Many children were not attending online classes when the school started as they did not have internet or were in their villages. When I enquired, I got to know that many children's parents have lost their jobs. They felt if they attend classes, they will be asked about the fees. I met some of these children and their kin and realised they want to study. So I decided to help them," Panikker said.

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The Rs 40 lakh has been raised over a period of five months and will take care of 200 students' annual fees.

Seniors support seven kids

Planet Powai, a community newspaper, helped the school reach people on social media. Raheja Vista Senior Citizen Group, too, contributed. "We collect old newspapers, magazines from every house in our society and whatever money is collected by selling 400-500 kg newspapers, it is used to help the needy. We helped the school after the principal approached us. We paid the fees of seven students," said Arvind Agarwal, president of the group.

‘Our kids' year is saved'

Gurudutt Sharma from the parents association of PEHS, said, "The school has children from both, middle class and the higher class. Many students' parents used to earn daily wages. The situation is difficult for them. I am thankful to the principal for taking this initiative."

Dhananjay Salunkhe, whose daughter studies in Std VIII, said he resigned from his workplace at the start of 2020. But soon after that the lockdown hit, because of which he has not been able to find a new one. "I decided that since I cannot pay the fees, I won't send my daughter to school for some time and later get her to appear for Std X board exams privately. But with the principal's help, my daughter's fees was paid and her academic year has been saved," Salunkhe said.

The parent of another student said he works in a hotel but amid the Covid-19-caused restrictions, he has not been getting a salary. "My daughter is sharp in studies and the best in art. So principal ma'am paid her fees," Nitin Gudekar said.

40L
Amount raised by Shirley Udayakumar Panikker in five months