THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Often, a small gesture could go a long way in helping someone. Sanchari Koottayima, an online travellers’ community seems to believe the same. They have launched a philanthropic venture to help financially backward school students.
For the initiative this time around, the community will be collaborating with Prathidhwani, the socio-cultural organisation of Technopark employees.
Titled ‘Notebook’, under the programme students from financially backward families will be provided with pens, bags, pencils, umbrellas and other materials for the new academic year. Focusing on students from rural government schools, the activity will be conducted on a more elaborate scale this time, said a member of the online community.
As part of the programme, boxes have been kept at many points around the city. The member of the community which has over 3 lakh participants said, “While last time items were collected and given to students of around eight government schools, this year we are planning to widen our reach. We have kept boxes at places like East Fort, Anayara, Attingal, Nemom, Nedumangad, Peroorkada and Chirayinkeezhu railway station. We have also placed 11 boxes inside Technopark campus.”
These boxes have been kept for the public to put in their contributions to support the lesser privileged students.
The initiative, which was launched last year, has been successful in contributing study materials to UP School Chakai, Vilappil UP school, Katinamkulam Lower Primary school, Aruvikkara Lower Primary school and more.
Rajeev Krishnan, secretary, Prathidhwani, said, “Through ‘Notebook’, we aim to help financially backward students in getting bags, pens, pencils and other study materials before the start of the new academic year. Instead of cash, stationery and other items are collected. Last year, the initiative was a success. We were able to collect materials for around 1,000 students.”
The boxes will be available for the public till May 24.