Help floods for Jammu and Kashmir by Oakridge Newton Campus

For the first time in a long time, Jammu and Kashmir had one of the most devastating floods it has ever seen. During the first week of September, these regions had experienced the heaviest rainfall in the past 60 years. This torrential rainfall began on the 2nd of September and continued for multiple days after that, leaving thousands suffering in the wreckage and ruin the weather had caused. By the 7th of September, over 1000 villages were hit, 300 were completely submerged, and over 400 people were dead. A majority of the surviving citizens were stranded either inside their homes or on top of their roofs; without any access to food or other basic necessitie.

 We decided to take matters into our own hands, and thought of ways in which we could contribute to the relief of these victims. We were determined to help those suffering the best we could and used this determination to start a flood drive in our school. We contacted organisations that were transporting items to the affected areas and spread awareness at school. Being students of the XI grade, we felt we would have a greater influence on those of the lower grades and that we could encourage them to donate to a cause as worthy as this. We passed out flyers, gave students a list of prioritized requirements and placed boxes around the school’s campus for students to place their donations in.

But during the first few days of planning the drive, we slowly grew concerned and pessimistic about the idea, in fear of not getting the reaction and response we’d hoped this notion would receive. However, our apprehension was met with a wonderful surprise– the boxes were filled to the rim with donations from all grades. In the end, we had 550 soaps, 104 juice boxes, 50 ready to eat MTR packets, 100 savlon bottles, 5 packs of toothpastes, 10 toothbrushes, 100+ dry milk powder packets, 10 coconut water bottles, juice bottles and 40 packs of sanitary napkins. We were so proud and ecstatic to find that our initiative had received such enthusiasm and cooperation and even through the tiring hours of packing this huge number of supplies, this pride kept us going. We’re so grateful to all of those that took the time to donate and so profoundly happy that we could help the flood victims in their time of need.  

 –Nidhi Reddy and Chahat Rana, IB XI, Oakridge International School Newton Campus