Couple Running School Waive Fees, Distribute Food During COVID-19

Mumbai: A couple who run a school in Mumbai’s Malad has waived off fees and distributed food among people during the lockdown period. Migza and Faiz who run a private educational set up titled Zeal English Medium School have fed nearly 1,800 people since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in the city. Mr Faiz said,

I also work for a company. When demand for resources increased, we decided to use my provident fund savings. I’ve spent about Rs 4.5 lakh till now.

Residents of the Malwani said the couple had started this small school 10 years ago and had more than 300 student from Classes 1 to 10. Most of the students are from the densely populated slum area of Ambojwadi.

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Ms Migza said during the next few days when the lockdown started, they started receiving calls for help from people.

Most people who stay here are migrant and daily wage workers. Looking at their condition, we got in touch with some NGOs and started distributing Khichdi but soon felt that this was not enough. We came to know that the situation was worse than we thought. So we decided to help people, Ms Migza said. We did not want to keep money in our bank and see people struggling for food so we started using our savings. Many parents of students approached me as I was the principal and expressed their inability to pay fees. So we waived off the school fees for three months for all students.

Husband Faiz Shaikh who works in a private company said,

My wife and I collected some money using our personal contacts and from my office colleagues and started distributing food grain packets. But the demand was continuously rising, so we started using our savings and provident fund amounts. We got support from NGO but their pockets too were limited. However as relaxation started during the lockdown, the many migrants went back to their native states and demand got reduced but still there were people in need. I had withdrawn Rs 5 lakh from our account and spent nearly Rs 4.5 lakh till now. We appeal to others to please come forward to help the needy in this crisis, said Mr Faiz.

Also Read: Nutrition India Programme Is Addressing Malnutrition In Two Of The Worst Affected Districts Of Maharashtra

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.