Gift joy of books to poor kids - Rotary Club youth wing opens new page to stop dropouts

There are two helping hands in Jamshedpur outstretched for poor children who are eager to learn.

While schoolchildren are already collecting books under International Rotary Club’s One Million Books One Million Smile project, student-members of Rotaract Club — the youth wing of Rotary Club of Jamshedpur West — in Karim City College have started a campaign to help 50 poor learners with money and books.

These young crusaders have collected Rs 35,000 from teachers, non-teaching staff and fellow students to sponsor the education of 50 poor children. Though the sum was collected last month, students are now chalking out plans to implement their plan.

“Teaching and non-teaching staff gave Rs 700 each, while students contributed various sums voluntarily. We wanted to help needy children and check dropout rates,” said Srishti Suman Jha, president of the Rotaract Club at Karim City College.

The two-year-old club has decided to help Central Karimia School, the cradle run by Karimia Trust on the Sakchi college campus. The cash will be given to the school while in the principal who will also help the club pick the students.

College-goers are also collecting old science and maths books for children. They are also scouting for comics to help poor children discover joy and laughter on pages.

“The whole idea is to promote literacy among the children of weaker sections of the society. The Rotaract Club offered help to fresh students who came for admission. From offering stationery items to helping out the newbies select their subjects, our help desk was at work from 9am to 5pm,” said Jha.

Under International Rotary Club’s One Million Books One Million Smile project, the more fortunate students from across the city collected and distributed books. The project is a countrywide initiative by more than 900 Rotary Clubs to bring smiles on the faces of poor children.

On July 11, Narbheram Hansraj English School and Motilal Nehru Public School jointly received the Best Interact Club trophy for 2013-14 at United Club.

The two schools got the coveted award during the Rotary Club of Jamshedpur West’s installation ceremony.