Dubai: Two young sisters in Dubai baked and sold cupcakes in their community for a week to raise funds for the flood-hit southern Indian state of Kerala.
From children like these to several other students and teachers in Dubai, schools and businesses here continue to do their bit to support and rebuild Kerala which had witnessed massive destruction of properties and about 450 deaths due to floods last month.
Krishaana, 9 and Miraaya Rajagopalan, 7, studying in grades five and two respectively at the Safa Community School, took it upon themselves to lend a helping hand to flood victims in their own little way.
When their parents sent money to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, the girls wished to do something on their own and came up with the idea of selling cupcakes, said their mother Megha Kapur.
She said the girls baked and sold over 175 cup cakes after visiting more than a hundred households over a seven day period during their summer holidays.
“People generously contributed and they ended up collecting Dh3,000 (close to Rs58,000), which, while not a substantial amount, will certainly go some way in helping those affected by the floods,” said their father Nitin Rajagopal, whose extended family lives in Kerala.
Meanwhile, students and staff at The Kindergarten Starters are making a huge collection of various relief materials which will be sent through the UAE Red Crescent.
The school is running a weeklong drive to collect steel plates and glasses, cooking utensils, sleeping mats, blankets, rice, coconut oil, pulses, spice powders, toothpaste, toothbrushes, detergents, sanitary gloves and canned food. The donation will be dispatched to the Red Crescent on Saturday, according to the principal Asha Alexander.
Delhi Private School in Dubai also conducted an initiative titled “De-clutter for a Cause,” to support its staff who had lost their possessions in the floods.
Staff members generously contributed new or unused articles from their homes, having a minimum value of atleast Dh50.
“It is important that our teachers feel bonded and realise that they are not alone- we are there for each other when things get tough,” said Rashmi Nandkeolyar, the school principal.
“The best part of this exercise was that it was twice blessed — the ones who gave were as joyous as the ones who received.”
DPS teachers will also mark Indian Teachers’ Day on Wednesday by donating cash to bring relief to the Kerala flood victims.
#WeStandWithKerala campaign
UAE-based EFS Facilities Services has launched the #WeStandWithKerala volunteer programme, through which it will send volunteers from the organisation for a month to help with the relief works, said Tariq Chauhan, Group CEO.
The group will be contributing a monthly ration for 1,000 families affected by the flood besides making cash contribution for over 50 homes.
It is also encouraging all staff affected by the floods to come forward and seek help, wherein 10 affected staff will be receiving one months leave and half a month’s paid leave to go back home and help in the rehabilitation efforts.
Meanwhile, K. M. Trading Group has donated Rs20 million (Dh1.03 million) for flood relief operations, the company said.
Apart from the corporate support, the staff members of various nationalities donated Rs3.5 million (Dh183,822). Korath Mohammad, chairman and MD, handed over both the cheques to Kerala industries minister E.P. Jayarajan at the Chief Minister’s Office.
