School Support Programs 2024
Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) actively engages in charitable activities to support underprivileged students. In 2024, VMRK continued to serve schools situated in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh. While these support programs are ongoing throughout the year, they were amplified during the celebration of special events, as described in the blog posts below.
Charitable services at 2024 Autumn (Ashvin) Navratri
Charitable services at Guru Purnima 2024
Charitable services at 2024 Spring (Chaitra) Navratri
Charitable services at Spiritual Discourse March 2024, Nawan Nagar, Haryana
Charitable services at Spiritual Discourse March 2024, Nagpur, Maharashtra
Charitable services at Spiritual Discourse February 2024, Pimpalner, Maharashtra
Identifying schools
VMRK identified schools situated in slums and remote, sparsely populated villages, especially schools attended by children from families with limited resources. VMRK sent volunteers who are local to an area to visit the surrounding schools. Sometimes, the volunteers also sought assistance from the local administration. Some schools learned about VMRK’s support for underprivileged students and approached VMRK directly to request support for their students.
Assessing student needs
At several schools, our volunteers observed that many students wore torn shoes and tattered sweaters. Many carried worn-out school bags with broken zippers secured by safety pins. Instead of proper water bottles, most students were reusing the plastic containers from bottled water.
VMRK volunteers worked closely with school staff to compile a list of required items. The students measurements and sizes were also recorded for sweaters, socks, and shoes. Each school’s uniform colour for the sweaters was also noted.
Donating educational materials
VMRK purchased the requested items and paid special attention to the overall quality of the items. This included sturdy bags with durable zippers, warm sweaters, and good quality socks and shoes. VMRK selected water bottles that were insulated, lightweight and made from BPA-free plastic. The required number of items were packed into boxes ready for distribution at each school.
Our volunteers visited multiple schools in a single day, often starting early in the morning to ensure they could reach all the schools during school hours, which extended until mid-afternoon. The remote locations made it challenging as many schools were accessible only through unpaved roads. In the hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, some roads became so narrow that they were inaccessible by vehicles. VMRK volunteers often trekked 1–2 kilometers carrying educational materials to reach these schools.
Upon arrival, the happy beaming faces of students excitedly welcomed the volunteers. As the donated items were handed out, the students gratefully received them. When some students were absent from school, the items were handed over to the school staff for later distribution.
Throughout the year, VMRK visited more than 790 schools, bringing joy to more than 49,420 underprivileged students.
On May 13, 2024, VMRK through its Devi Nagar center, distributed stationery kits and shoes at our school. As the head teacher, I, Ram Jagat, express heartfelt appreciation to VMRK. VMRK is truly working for the welfare of humanity and for the support of underprivileged school students. This is appreciable indeed. VMRK’s volunteers are extremely polite and respectful. Children are a form of God, and the educational items that VMRK has donated for the welfare of humanity are beneficial indeed. I and our entire school staff convey wishes for VMRK’s great progress. Once again, the school staff would like to say, thank you. The parents of the school children also praised VMRK a lot and prayed for VMRK’s great progress.
Head Teacher, Govt. Primary School, Devi Nagar, Haryana
On January 30, 2024, VMRK inspired by its spiritual head, Sant Baljit Singh Ji, donated sweaters, school shoes, and socks to 112 underprivileged children studying in our school. This is indeed a virtuous act. The above-mentioned material was distributed to underprivileged children-in-need. The entire school staff, express heartfelt thanks for this noble gesture. We hope that VMRK continues to support underprivileged children in the future.
Center Head Teacher, Govt. Primary Center School, Bhadsali (West), Himachal Pradesh