A group of former students of a school in a Kerala village is scripting a new narrative of community development by coming together to fund various development activities and provide pension amounts to those in need.
United by a shared desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others, the 1983 batch of Aleemul Islam Higher Secondary School, Padoor in Thrissur has taken proactive steps to improve the welfare of the people living in their community.
It all began when a few in the group planned for a reunion and formed a WhatsApp group in 2018. The little chats and messages shared in the group paved the way for 104 students of the 1983 batch to come together after a long gap of 35 years for a common cause.
The 2018 Kerala floods prompted the batch to rally together immediately to help their friends who had suffered heavy financial loss. Pooling whatever resources they could muster, they embarked on a mission to support each other through this time of crisis. “We pooled in money and introduced a pension fund to help those who are in financial crisis. We provide Rs 2,000 as a monthly pension to a few members in our group, including financial support to a friend who is incapacitated following a workplace accident. We are also providing emotional and financial support to a friend who lost both her husband and son,” said Ali P V, the president of the alumni batch.
Apart from helping one another in the group, the batch also donated medical equipment and medicines to a nearby public health center. “It was done anonymously by one of our members under the banner of the 1983 Batch,” Ali added.
They also started to reach out to people in their community with help. “We are not all economically well-off, but we all share a common desire to do good for society and help each other. Each of us in the group has been contributing to the best of our capacity. Whether it’s a big contribution or small, we do it under the name of our ’83 Batch,” said Sadik P K, the Coordinator of the group.
In 2021, the batch raised Rs 25,000 to fund the treatment of a stranger who was injured in an accident and was seeking financial assistance for treatment through Facebook. The batch also installed benches for workers of Kannoth Kole farmers to rest. “One of our batch members contributed Rs 65,000 for constructing a resting area at the spot, which has now become a tourist spot,” Ali added.
Be it Christmas, Onam, or Eid, the group members celebrate the festivals and donate food kits to the needy, keeping their secularism alive. “Though we are from different religions and have different political moorings, we don’t allow any of these differences to come in our way when it comes to helping the people,” the members added.
As these former students continue to forge ahead with their mission, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of solidarity and compassion in building stronger and more resilient communities.
First time I am coming across such a noble service being carried out by someone who cares for others. God Bless Abdul Sathar.