August 14, 2019
The Delhi Public School (DPS) Bengaluru North is showing the way
forward when it comes to inclusive education. Now its in the news for a
crowdfunded initiative that involves children with disabilities. In this way,
the school aims to inspire the younger generation to look at ways to make a
difference in the lives of others.
Over the last many years, teachers and students of the prominent
Delhi Public School (DPS Bengaluru North have won hearts and
headlines for crowdfunding initiatives that support people in need. This
year, the school, led by principal Manju Balasubramanym has
reached out to raise funds towards the medical expenses of children with
paediatric cancer. Through such initiatives, the school aims to
inspire Young India to lend a hand to support people in need and become
change-makers.
A voluntary activity, hundreds of children look forward to being a part of
the initiative which is enabled by the platform Fuel a
Dream. Being an inclusive school, children with and without
disabilities are encouraged to come together in this. Students’ and teachers’
work hand-in-hand to spread the word and reach out to those who are in need.
This year’s venture is supported by St. Johns Hospital and
Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru.
In the first year, DPS reached out to children who needed cardiac
surgery. In the second, funds were raised for a skill
development centre for children with autism. The previous year, it was
towards medical facilities and support for people with muscular
dystrophy.
We are an inclusive school and we have children who are visually impaired
and with learning disabilities. They are all part of the initiative. We had
a lot of people pitch in for the crowdfunding platform. Currently, we want
to raise at least ₹ 9,000 which can take care of medical and other expenses
of one person at least for a month. We believe that sky is the limit and
want to reach out to as many people as possible. – Manju
Balasubramanym, Principal, Delhi Public School Bengaluru North.
The funds raised are provided to children from needy families. They can
undergo surgeries without any financial hurdles. “At DPS, our motto is
service. We want to reach out to as many people as possible. Students,
teachers and parents have been supportive. The crowdfunding project which was
done last month happened mainly through social media”, says Manju.
In another ongoing initiative, DPS is collaborating with NGO The
Voice of Stray Dogs to raise funds for taking care of nearly a
thousand stray and abandoned animals at the NGO. Students from class 8 are
part of this venture. This initiative will also be done through Fuel a Dream.
Pankaj Ohri, who coordinates the projects, is delighted with
the great response from children.
“Our target was ₹ 18,000 and children have crossed one lakh rupees already
and this is something remarkable. They are definitely doing a wonderful job.
There are 136 children from classes 9 to 12 who have been working on the
project for paediatric cancer. We are definitely going to initiate such
projects in years to come”, says Ohri.
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