Students from many city schools have been making generous contributions to help the state's flood victims. From collecting essential items to food items, the schools have arranged their collections to be delivered to thousands of flood-affected families.
Both the ICSE and the CBSE wings of the International School have collected food packets and other commodities like clothes.
"Students and teachers have contributed for this noble cause as small gesture on the part of the International School family to show their solidarity with the flood-affected people," said Farhat Hassan, the school director. "Both the wings have always extended a helping hand to the people in need to the best of their capacity. If all schools in the city do a little on their part, it would be a great help for the people."
Four-year-old Pankhuri, a lower kindergarten student at St Joseph's Convent High School, learnt about the floods through prayers conducted for the victims in the assembly, and conversations. Her mother, Suman Singh, said the little girl was puzzled. "She asked many questions about where people were living and couldn't quite understand how the victims had lost everything they owned. She was especially concerned for the children, who might not have food to eat and be stuck somewhere in the floods," said Suman.
Sachin Kumar, a Class VIII student of Loyola High School, said: "I was shaken by the images on television and newspapers. A number of people were stuck in water and those who were shifted to relief camps had to face many difficulties like eating rotten food and ran the risk of falling prey to epidemics. By donating a few items, we can help them."
The St Michael's High School administration put up a notice for students, urging all of them to donate a packet of biscuits each.
"There are people in need who have just lost everything and it's really tragic. So, we will do whatever we can to help out the people in need," said vice-principal Christu Savarirajan.
"I was scared to see floodwater entering our school last week," said Shubham, a Class VI student of St Michael's High School. "I was worried how I would reach home. But God listened to our prayers and the condition did not worsen. I wish I could do something more for the people in need other than donating a biscuit packet. We keep praying for the flood victims."
The social welfare committee of Gyan Niketan School has formed a team of 25 students from classes X to XII to collect basic necessities like clothes, sattu (gram flour) packets, bread, biscuits and other essential goods for flood victims. "The committee members and students will visit the flood relief camps to deliver the goods. The school employees have donated a day's salary for the flood victims," said vice-principal Shailendra Mohan Jha.
In collaboration with non-government organisation HelpAge India, Don Bosco Academy has collected clothes and food items from students and school employees. Principal Mary Alphonsa said the school administration collected clothes, cereals and other supplies. "Food is a basic necessity for human beings. We are donating as much food as we can," she added.
