In the heart of India’s Capital, New Delhi, young members of Fridays For Future India Chapter have started a commendable initiative to aid the ones in need. The Fridays for Future is a movement that was started in August 2018 Sweden by self-professed “climate activist with Asperger’s” Greta Thunberg. She was then just a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
Sixteen-year-old twin sisters Asheer and Asees Kandhari and her friends Aman and Anuj Banka along with Aditya Dubey have started a COVID-19 helpline with the intention to assist people in distress. These teens are also assisted by environmental activist Bhavrin Kandhari, the mother of the twins along with two other guardians.
It was initially Aditya Dubey and the Banka brothers, Anuj and Aman, who started out the initiative. In order to manage the funds for the helpline, they initially had to sell their laptop, musical instruments, and other belongings. Later on, they were joined by the twins through the Fridays For Future community.
What is more inspiring is that all of them are very young. The Kandhari sisters just passed out 10th grade and the rest are in 12th and freshmen in colleges.
Their helpline has been continuously ringing since March and getting calls from all over the country. By now, they have aided not only various parts of Delhi but across several other states, mentioned Anuj Banka to LifeBeyondNumbers.
The teens partnered with various delivery services such as Swiggy, Zomato, and other food outlets such as Bercos and Big Jar to supply food. Mrs. Bhavrin Kandhari helped out the kids in procuring the raw food materials in bulk.
Later on, they approached the restaurants to prepare the food. As their good deed spread, help came from a lot of unexpected quarters as several college students, as well as volunteers joined in to provide food and medical supplies to the underprivileged, explained Kandhari.
They have managed to reach about 40,000 meals a day with the combined help.
The initiative hasn’t been limited to the food supply only. In a particular distress call, the Delhi police helped the teenagers reach out to a woman and her kid.
“In one instance, a mother contacted us at 3 AM. She said that her daughter was suffering from high fever and needed medicines. I immediately woke up and contacted the Police. Thankfully, they sent across the required medication in the desired location. They even called us a few days later, informing that the woman’s daughter is well,” narrates Asheer.
The team has reached over 30 Indian cities and towns so far. To reach out to their helpline for assistance, leave a voicemail on +91-9529863506.