Dreaming big for society

Waking up every morning and thinking about what he can do for society, Mushir Mohammed Khan, a student in his early 20s, came up with the idea of starting a NGO. With the help of his friends and family and the motivation of his well-wishers, he decided to make a move.

“I started off with my pocket money and distributed food and blankets in the slums nearby,” says Mushir, the founder of the NGO, Freedom Again Foundation (FAF). They have now come a long way by legally adopting a government school.

In December 2015, the team of seven youngsters took on the daunting task of adopting the Government High School, Kachiguda, which has around 1,000 students. But why this school specially, when there are hundreds of government-run schools in and around the city?

The team had done a thorough survey and when they approached many schools, the response was not very positive. Some were even rude to them, but when they came to  Government High School, Kachiguda, the principal instantly accepted the offer and helped them through the legal procedures.

“We were very happy,” recalls principal R. Suman, adding, “Mushir and his team had a clear idea of what they wanted to do for the kids. Now, the kids who were once very reluctant to learn are looking forward to come to school,” he testifies.
On Independence Day, the NGO distributed shoes to  600 students of the school.

“Most of them wear flip-flops to the school. You should have seen their joy while holding a new pair of shoes,” says Mushir.

The NGO has already installed a system for digi-class a few months ago. However, it was beyond their monetary capacity. Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri, vice president of FAF, remembers, “We had already promised the principal that we would do it, but we were under a huge fund crunch. Then, I approached my college principal and explained the initiative, and he quickly agreed to help.”

These youngsters aim at bringing this government school at par with private schools.

“Not everyone is fortunate,  and it is in our own hands to help the less fortunate in all possible ways,” says Mushir.