This Mumbai Based Teenager Has Been Raising Funds To Feed The Poor Affected Due To COVID-19 Lockdown

New Delhi: When the nationwide lockdown was first imposed on March 24, the 14-year-old Aman Tetuja from Mumbai was engrossed in understanding the new COVID-19 disease that suddenly presented itself as a pandemic and brought the world to a halt. He soon realised that the virus has not only brought diseases with it, but has also fetched loss of livelihoods, hunger and misery for many families who were less fortunate. Not only did this make Aman sad, but it also urged him to intervene with some solution to the situation. He started raising funds to provide some relief to those affected by the lockdown and reached out Wockhardt Foundation, a Mumbai based Non-Governmental Organisation to help him utilise the funds to provide ration and other essential items to the poor and needy.

Also Read: Indian Territorial Army Officers Team Up To Fight COVID-19, Provide Ration And Hygiene Kits To People In Mumbai

Amazed with the response he has been receiving for the initiative, Aman, who has raised over Rs. 2 lakh in four days said,

I was quite happy and at the same time very shocked by the response. I started receiving as soon as I initiated the fundraiser. Within 24 hours I was able to raise over Rs. 1 lakh. Then in the next two days, another one lakh was raised. I am glad to see how generous and caring people are. I am expecting that the initiative will receive another one lakhs in next two days.

14-year-old Aman Tetuja wishes to work for uplifting the marginalised sections of the society in future

Aman, who idolises Mother Teresa and Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar for their humanitarian work, further shared that for the fundraiser campaign he reached out to his family, friends, neighbours and people on social media. His elder brother also helped Aman in spreading the word and inspiring people to come forward to donate as per their wish and help those in need. His father Vinay Tuteja said,

Aman is an empathetic child and he been like that since he was very young. When he shared with us that he wants to help the people who are less fortunate, it filled us with pride for him. It is definitely encouraging to see that the young generation is conscious and sensitive towards the society.

The money raised via Aman’s campaign will fund Wockhardt Foundation’s Anaaj+ program which is distributing ration and essential items kit worth Rs. 1,100 each to households in slums of Mumbai. Each kit includes 5 kg rice, 5 kg wheat flour, lentils, sugar, salt, tea leaves, and soaps. Aman has adopted Ganesh Murti Nagar slum for distribution.

Wockhardt Foundation’s Trustee and CEO, Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala acknowledged the philanthropic spirit of the young boy and said,

I think it is truly wonderful that a young boy like him has come forward to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community during these difficult times. This is not only inspirational for children of his age, but for us adults too. We need more people like him. With the money collected by the kid so far, we will be able to distribute the Anaaj+ kit to about 200 households.

Also Read: COVID-19 Outbreak: Auto Driver Uses Money Saved For Wedding To Feed Migrants