Delhi Public School Bengaluru North brings an inclusive touch to its crowdfunding initiatives
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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