08 Sep Helping vulnerable communities fight the challenges of COVID-19
Tawishi Dogra, from the Class of 2022, has recently started a project to help women and families from low-income communities around her town.
The project started with her desire to spread awareness about the safety guidelines put in place during the lockdown, in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus in vulnerable communities. After identifying communities that were the most vulnerable and adversely affected, she led sessions and workshops in these remote communities to educate them.
“We had to trek for 10 kilometres on hilly terrain [to reach the villages], but the success of the workshop re-ignited my passion for the cause and my motto is to cover areas where there is a chance of spreading the virus,” Tawishi said.
Later, after seeing the situation spiral even further as laborers and daily wage workers lost their jobs and their ability to afford necessities due to the lockdown, Tawishi came up with the idea of employing the women to make masks.
Tawishi identified three unemployed women in one of the villages, who had sewing machines but were unemployed. With the assistance of the village head, she collected cloth and raw materials from the residents and commissioned the women to make 100 masks each, which she later distributed, along with other household essentials, in the poorest communities.
Tawishi is now in the second phase of her project, and after having raised significant funds online through a fundraising campaign, she is now working towards providing financial assistance to five more women. She also aspires to expand her project and employ women from other villages in the area.
Tawishi’s compassion for those around her has helped women and families in extremely vulnerable communities fight against the challenges of COVID-19. Her work has been recognised by local news channels and newspapers in her hometown in Jammu and Kashmir.
Like Tawishi, several other Woodstock students have continued to meaningfully contribute to their local communities throughout the pandemic. Many of them are not just helping communities fight through these challenges, but also equipping them with the skills they need to take control of their own development.
Janvi Poddar
Class of 2021, Community Engagement Intern
Nigel Mustapha
Posted at 21:18h, 08 SeptemberGreat work Tawishi!
Dr Leishiwon kumrah
Posted at 12:40h, 09 SeptemberKeep up the good work!
VIVEK HARINARAIN
Posted at 13:51h, 10 SeptemberCongratulations and this is incredible work – very impressive and to have the heart to reach out to the least amongst us assures that the future of the country is in safe and secure hands!! Proud of Woodstock and Tawishi Dogra!
Gopal Chandra Barik
Posted at 20:24h, 14 SeptemberCongratulations woodstock Team Good Job Heartiest congratulations all of u……………….
Anshu Jha
Posted at 16:15h, 24 DecemberHi Twishi, It’s relieving to know that you are passionate to work for the community, We are doing the same in Mussoorie (hilly region) for the migrant workers. we are raising funds to provide them with rations from DELHI and Uttarakhand. We are a small grassroots organisation centred in Mussoorie as the hunger campaign. we started this campaign 5 months ago with the aim of providing food to the families of migrant workers so that they can combat the negative effects of the pandemic. Our campaign 500X500 where 500 people will donate 500 each. with this initiative, we hope to make a small change in these people’s lives. Please let us know if you are interested. we would be happy to meet over Skype or Zoom.
Mail id: thehungercampaign@gmail.com
Contact : 9891724484
nshushank
Posted at 13:26h, 12 JanuaryAlways keep up with great work. CONGRATULATIONS!