How often have we heard that today’s youth are not quite broad-minded, bereft of humanness and what not?
But then, exceptions have always been the silver lining, as has been the case with a group of school and college students in Ordnance Factory Estate, Tiruchi, who sprung into action after learning that Anbalayam, a home for wandering mentally ill at nearby Gundur, was in dire need of funds for constructing a permanent building to house the over 70 inmates in relatively better safety and comfort.
The students did all they could, right from initiating a Facebook campaign to carrying out door-to-door collections in the OFT township and neighbouring localities to mobilise Rs.57,000, as their contribution. They felt motivated by the request made by film director Prabu Solomon who himself contributed Rs.50,000 for the project , during the 23 anniversary celebrations of Anbalayam early this year.
On Saturday, when the student group represented by R.M.Cibi, a class X student of Kendriya Vidhyalaya-1, handed over the amount to Anbalayam founder T.K.S.Senthil Kumar, his joy knew no bounds.
“There is something very unique about the contribution made by the students with a desire to enrol themselves as Anbalayam’s volunteers,” said an elated Mr.Senthil Kumar. With the students’ contribution, Anbalayam has so far mobilised close to Rs.10 lakh for the Rs.40 lakh project.
The community in OFT and neighbouring Heavy Alloy Penetrator Factory have all along been very supportive to Anbalayam. They have sponsored food, donated furniture, and provisions, said Mr.Senthil Kumar, adding that a good number of employees have been strengthening their bond with Anbalayam by celebrating anniversary events with the inmates.
For the students, the experience of mobilising the money from the community was a rejuvenating experience.
The donors contributed amounts ranging from Rs.100 to Rs.5,000, and had also evinced interest in sustaining their support to the organisation. According to Cibi, the collective participation of youth in the exercise with the lofty thought of serving the deprived sections of society was significant.
