When adversities cannot suppress the virtues…
While working for our foundation since 2012 in these areas, I found one thing common in almost all families and that is the hardships they face due to large families where parents are working in the fields to earn livelihood. Bringing kids of such families to school is the biggest challenge. Overcoming this challenge, we took a brave decision of organizing an 8 days camp at OASIS INSTITUTE CHANOD to teach them some important life lessons. Although it was an expensive initiative, the institute was ready to bear almost all expenses but still, we decided to collect Rs 1500 per student as a camp fee. 90% students paid the fees yet there were students whose parents simply could not afford it. For them, the institute bore the expense. But the family of a student named Ishwar was amazingly different.
Ishwar was studying in Khedwa Primary School of Khedbrahma in standard 8th. Ishwar was very excited after hearing about camp from our Education Coordinator. As he was coming from an underprivileged family; the camp fee was a hurdle for him, but which was cleared by the institution. While I and my colleagues were on-site visits to convince the parents for sending their children to school regularly we were taken aback by one incident. We visited Ishwar’s home which was a shanty house and was glaring with their poverty. After receiving a warm welcome we just started talking about Ishwar’s academics; immediately Ishwar’s father inquired about the camp fee. We said, “It is Rs 1500 but you don’t need to worry about it.” But his mother gave us all their savings of Rs.750 and his father added that he will pay the remaining sum gradually. Their richness of principles made us all speechless. It reinstated my faith in humanity and honesty and also I realized that virtues and values are not the copyright of rich people.
Presently, Ishwar is studying in the 9th standard with a dream of becoming a Civil Engineer. The goal set by Ishwar is a bit stiff but his resolve is solid. He is inclined towards Maths and Science and studies till midnight and wakes up at around 5 a.m. or even earlier than that. His determination and morals were reflected in these words when asked about how he is planning to pursue his academics. He replied without hesitation that he will work hard to get a scholarship and with that, his parents will also try to do their best.
I was fortunate to meet such a wonderful family with high morals, principles, and dedication to life.