A hope for the underprivileged

Education being the fundamental right of every child has always been lack of access to many. Regardless of government schools and other facilities, many underprivileged students find it difficult to stay in school and continue their education because of poverty or lack of resources.

Due to lack of resources while there is limit to educate, M Saratha thought way beyond the box and stretched out a helping hand for the underprivileged children with her NGO Seven Rays.

Narrating about her work she said, "Through our educational support for poor school-going children, we provide underprivileged children in Hyderabad with books, bags, stationery, while also financially helping their families.

These children come from difficult situations, and most of their parents cannot bear the educational fees of their children."

Saratha, quit her job at T Hub to start the organisation, she served more 30,000 students and so talking about her initiative she says, "Once I was invited as a guest to a government school and I witnessed that there were no basic facilities for the students.

Most of us think that government schools get funds and face no difficulties, but the reality is very different.

After witnessing the situation at that school, I decided to do something for them and started my Seven Rays in 2016."

Along with helping students, Saratha also distributes food and clothes to orphanages. She regularly conducts activities for orphan children to encourage their passion for games.

"We regularly conduct health camps in the city and provide them with three-months worth medicines. In our research, we found that most of class VIII and IX students of government schools suffer from vitamin deficiency and we are helping them to overcome that problem," she adds.

The Seven Rays team also conducts awareness camps for the girl child. They distribute pads for girls in government schools while explaining to them the importance of hygiene, "If a girl educated in the family then the whole family is benefitted.

In recent times, we are witnessing many atrocities against girl child all over the country. After reading all the news about these issues, I have decided to aware people about the importance of girl child and conducting various activities all over the Telugu states," she adds.

Having a zeal to contribute to the children she also urges people to give material instead of money. "I usually post about my activities on Facebook and asks people for their support.

I don't believe in collecting money and so my advice for people is to donate materials and/or come along with us to participate in the activities."

Saratha has also adopted a government school in Old Safilguda in Moula Ali, and so stressing more about it she said, "The school has more than 220 students, but they don't have any proper facilities.

Due to this, many are not regularly attending school. We make sure to cover all the basic amenities for students. We are also providing snacks for students in govt schools to encourage them to attend special classes."

Apart from providing the amenities, the group has also taken it among themselves to paint the surroundings to attract them towards the school.

Regarding her future projects with the schoold she said, "Now, we are planning to set up a library for children and we have requested school authorities to arrange a library period every day.

Many from rural areas of Telangana are requesting our organisation to do the same for their kids looking at our work."