It appears amazing, at least to me, how I could raise around Rs 6,85,000 in two weeks for the right cause. There were 150+ kind supporters including my friends, family, and numerous anonymous donors who came together to help people in need and raised around Rs 7 lakh to help me purchase oxygen concentrators for the people of Kuchaman City, Rajasthan suffering from Covid-19.
I first wanted to target raising Rs 2,00,000 thinking that even that wouldn’t be easy, but my father motivated me to raise the bar to Rs 5,00,000 so that it’s meaningful and more people can benefit.
At the beginning of April, my family was infected with the novel Coronavirus. First my mother, my brother, then me and my father. Fortunately, my family and I weren’t affected severely. I realised how hard it can be especially when people do not have enough support.
After all of us tested negative, I saw my dad multiple times speaking on the phone to arrange for oxygen cylinders, plasma, beds, and other vital essentials for people. A few days later, I read in the newspaper that 25 people who were infected with COVID had died in one day. The deaths though weren’t due to the coronavirus but on account of the lack of oxygen. I was shocked.
This inspired me to do something for the community and I decided to start a fundraiser for people in need to raise money to purchase oxygen concentrators and oximeters. Though Delhi and other metros were getting numerous supplies already and have the best-in-class medical facilities, I realised the situation was much worse in smaller towns. My father informed me about the situation in our hometown where my grandparents stay; The cases were increasing there every day, and support was minimal. Unlike in Delhi, there are no oxygen cylinder refilling facilities and there is only one Government hospital. The only option for any patient who experiences a dip in oxygen was to get admitted to the hospital since there were very few oxygen concentrators available in the town. I then started a fundraiser for my hometown — Kuchaman City, Rajasthan.
After getting the fundraiser up and running, I shared the link of the cause with my family, friends, teachers etc as well as on various social media platforms and requested everyone else also to further share it with their families and friends. At first, the fundraiser wasn’t getting enough donations and I was a little worried if I could achieve the target. My parents supported me and asked me to follow through and share it with even more people. Multiple accounts re-tweeted my tweet for the fundraiser.
After the second day, the donations started coming in faster. I called my family members, friends etc. and requested them to donate and share the fundraiser details with others as well. My parents, relatives and friends also shared it within their network. As of now, nine oxygen concentrators have been handed over to multiple NGOs in Kuchaman City namely — Lions Club, Kuchaman Vikas Samiti, Shri Jankalyan Seva Samiti, and Apna Aashram. They are now being used by those in need, free of cost.
I feel extremely happy that with the support of over 150+ generous donors, we would be able to save a few lives. Thanks to all the donors, many of them anonymous, for helping me in this. Thanks to all the motivating messages I have received from everyone. I am proud to support my hometown during the pandemic. I am thankful to my parents who have supported me at every step of this journey. I hope this pandemic gets over soon and life becomes normal for all of us.
(The writer is a 10th-grade student of The Shri Ram School.)
