The volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit at the Himayathul Islam Higher Secondary School were a content lot on Saturday. Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb handed over the keys to a house constructed by them for their classmate N.P. Juraij on that day.
Juraij and his brothers Faris and Jamsheer are students of the school. Their parents, who are fisherfolk, were finding it hard to maintain their dilapidated house. Mr. Abdu Rabb praised the students for being a model to society by their hard work even during the summer holidays.
The project titled ‘Sahapadikkoru Veedu’ (a house for classmate) was started as part of the school’s hundredth anniversary celebrations.
The initial funds were raised by the students themselves by pooling in all their meagre savings. Well-wishers contributed the rest, inspired by the enthusiasm of the students.
A team of 22 girls and 28 boys spent the past many months, including the summer vacation and weekends, constructing the house, made at a cost of Rs.3.6 lakh.
The house has two bedrooms, a dining room, and a kitchen.
The NSS unit at the school had previously won the award for the best unit at the State and district levels. Last year, the students had also helped with the construction of 23 houses by the Tribal Development Society at the Vattachira Adivasi colony.
Mayor A.K. Premajam was the chief guest at the function.
