Sakhi Bhadkamkar, Simran Leekha and Nikita Shah — all class VIII students — had visited the village on May 11 to implement an environment awareness project in Sant Gajanan Maharaj Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, the village school. “With 12 classrooms and 450 students from Class V to X, the school is currently roofless, thanks to the strong winds in March. Considering the summer heat and approaching monsoon, we decided to raise funds for the repairs,” said Nikita. “Parents of most students in the school are farmers living below poverty line,” added Sandeep Bhadkamkar, Sakhi’s father who works for Maitri, a voluntary organisation, that provides basic guidance to the children.

While Bhadkamkar drew up the estimated cost of the repairs — about Rs 40,000 — the trio were joined by four other friends Aishwarya Bhandari, Sagar Karwa, Ashwin Karwa and Rajat Rathi in the mission. Though from the same society, all seven are from three different schools — Abhinav English Medium School, Karnatak High School and Vikhe Patil Memorial School.

“We went to the homes of all 450 apartment owners in Sneh Paradise and asked them to contribute to the cause. Although people knew us, we were confronted with questions like how will we ensure the money will be used for the same purpose or who will we hand over the money to,” said Nikita. “But, we were able to allay all their fears,” she said.

All donations were accepted in favour of Maitri and receipts were given to the donors by the children. “From Rs 10 to Rs 5,000, around 400 flat owners contributed,” Sakhi said. However, the children’s target is to collect Rs 25,000 and they plan to raise the remaining amount of Rs 2,000 by selling hand-made paper articles like bookmarks, greeting cards and so on. The collected money will be handed over to Sandesh Pawar, founder trustee of the school. “We hope the school trustees will raise the remaining funds and complete the renovation,” she Simran.

Shivanjali Nimbalkar, a resident of the society who donated Rs 5,000, said, “I had heard of Maitri and wanted to help them in some way. However, it was difficult to find time to visit their office to know exactly what kind of help I could do. When these children came to me, it was like the doors of opportunity were opened to me.”

“I am happy my daughter Aishwarya joined the cause and dedicated some part of her holidays to raise money for underprivileged children her age,” said Rupashree Bhandari.