At this time, when the world is facing a huge crisis due to COVID-19 outbreak, Sunaayy Foundation has come forward to distribute food and other relief materials to migrant labourers, underprivileged children and their families. Everyone has come forward to volunteer their services or with their valuable contribution towards this great cause.
The most remarkable ones are the participation of senior school students from India as well as various parts of the world who have come forward as the volunteers for innovative fundraising activities, creating awareness about various cultural aspects, bad effects of drugs and topics relevant to other social lacunas through online interactive activities, conducting chess and art classes, designing and conceptualising social media and other collaterals, and many other impactful work in their own ways.
Anika Singh, a student of grade 9, Robbinsville High School, New Jersey, USA, said, “Sunaayy Foundation and my family has a deep relation. I, my sister and my mother are engaged with it and it has somehow found a way in our lives. I work with Sunaayy to teach the kids, raise funds and spread awareness related to the organisation, among friends and strangers. Most recently, I am making efforts to raise awareness and funds in these difficult times.”
Seattle, USA-based Siona Wadhwanand, a student of grade 10, University Prep School, said, “Even though away from India, I do best and everything in my capacity to help Sunaayy Foundation through fundraising. Whenever I am there, I make sure to visit the schools and get firsthand experience of the amazing work done by the organisation and Richa (Prasant, founder) aunt, who has also taught me that passion and determination can change the lives of many. I had the opportunity to engage in the number of activities with the kids. We ate cookies, drew butterflies, and I even helped hem read English alphabets. I was amazed to see the eagerness among them to learn and also the importance given to education and learning.”
Arnav Pandit, a student of class XI of Shriram School, New Delhi, said, “My journey with the foundation began when I was in the seventh grade. It started with me volunteering at the weekly hobby club on Saturdays. I would teach the children chess. After some time, I became the organiser for the hobby classes and continued teaching kids along with other volunteers. I also digitised their attendance records. Looking at all those registers full of names of children eager to learn really made me feel happy. We had started running into some problems with the funding for the hobby class. So later, I also raised a fund of `1.5 lakh to continue the classes. I am grateful every day for what I have been able to contribute to their organisation. It has been a great platform for me to give to society.”
Also, New Delhi-based Shriya Chaturvedi (class 9, Sanskriti School) and Siddhant Sharma (class 12, VVS), and Switzerland-based Max Suter (grade 10) have set the examples of how one could volunteer at any age, from any location, and with any skill and not only make a social impact but also send a powerful message of volunteering to the whole world.
“We take huge pride in having an association of volunteers where individuals and groups come together to offer their selfless service to educate and nourish the underprivileged children and make sure they remain healthy. This is what makes this organisation, the Sunaayy Foundation!” said Richa.
