Hyderabad: 'Box of Happiness' brings smiles on faces of needy

With the pandemic and lockdown affecting the livelihood of marginalized people, two teens Ridah Shanavas and Sai Sankeerthana of Oakridge International School, Bachupally, launched a noble initiative 'Box of Happiness' to provide help to the poor, at the Hill County Society in Nizampet.

The 'Box of Happiness' is essentially a contactless donation box installed at a fixed location where people can contribute items like dry groceries (flour, rice, lentils, etc.), stationery articles, books, clothes, toys, electronics and other non-perishable commodities. The respective volunteers would collect the donation from the box and send it to the NGOs and people in need.

"During the lockdown when the country came to a standstill, I was a witness to several marginalised communities, who were financially affected due to the pandemic, struggling hard for daily needs. Personally, I distributed groceries to the needy in Nizampet area, later, I discussed with my teacher Manjusha at Oakridge International School, who asked me to take support of school for the initiative to help more needy people," said Ridah Shanavas, Class 11 student at Oakridge International School.

"Why can't students of our age group can be a support to the affected people in their surroundings. We aspire to create a society where no one is left empty-handed or has to suffer. With this aspiration in our minds, my friend Sankeerthana and I came up with this initiative called Box of Happiness.

With the support from the school we have installed a contactless donation box at Hill County Society, Nizampet in the first week of November. The donation drive is for the duration of six months and once the box is filled we would distribute it to the needy people and we would collaborate with various NGOs," explains Ridah.

About a month back, within a few days of setting up these boxes, several community members came forward donating various items ranging from clothes to groceries. "One could see these boxes almost filling up.

We intend to take this initiative to several other communities and also planning to install these boxes in Aparna County, Kukatpally. If every community has these boxes of happiness, then no one will ever be left hungry, cold (or) unhappy," said Sai Sankeerthana, a Class 12 student of Oakridge International School.

"Charity is a supreme virtue and a great channel through which mercy is passed onto the humankind. It unites men and inspires their noblest efforts. Our students are being encouraged for the smallest act of kindness that depicts humanity at its best. The Box of Happiness is a true example of it.", said Baljeet Oberoi, Principal, Oakridge International School.