Last two years of the pandemic have been harsh for many. People faced unprecedented traumas, some lost their jobs, some faced business losses and there were many who lost loved ones. Most of us were going through some kind of mental or emotional trauma. For students too it was a difficult phase, being away from school, friends and not being able to enjoy any outdoor activities.
Listening to woeful tales of human suffering and helplessness all around, Amaeera Bhatia, then 15, a young, sensitive student of the Vasant Valley School who worried less about what she missed the most, but felt the pain of those, who unfortunately missed almost everything in life. She decided to spread smiles among underprivileged children.
Grateful for the many blessings life had bestowed on her, the realisation that there were so many other children who went to bed hungry, so many who went to a school, but just sat in open spaces during their breaks, no recreation, no time to experience the joy and warmth of laughing and playing with their friends! Something impacted her deep within and ignited a firm determination to not just hope and dream, but act. She decided to stow away her pocket money and save those tokens gifted to her on her birthday over two years. She was determined to build a play area in Desh Raj Govt. School for the under privileged that her family altruistically supported. Right from designing, planning, purchase and execution, she oversaw her little dream project, the first of many more in the pipeline. Ensuring that the equipment was safe and had all the quality checks in place, Amaeera planned the play area mindfully. Her greatest moment of joy was when she stood at a distance and watched children squealing with joy, enjoying those precious little moments of life.
“As we slowly find our way out of this pandemic, we need to be mindful. We too need to heal. We too need to believe in and align ourselves with the goodness in the world. We need to connect with people around us, help and support others to stand up once again, smile once again. Never before have we realised the interconnectedness of humanity and the multiple ways in which our lives are intertwined with each other. I am happiest, when I make another happy!” says Amaeera. Thus began her journey of spreading miles of smiles, right then, right there as she made a vow to engage her circle of close friends and family to experience the joy of giving in the future too.
Ms. Poonam, Principle, Desh Raj Govt. School said, “It is when the youth of today, make sincere attempts to work towards the happiness of the underprivileged, change is imperative and the future of our country is bright!”
What might look like a small initiative, has gone a long way in spreading smiles and changing lives.