Seventeen-year-old Shail Saraiya, a resident of old Malabar Hill, feels it's his way of giving back to society
One would typically find today’s teenagers engrossed in academics, and in their free time, hooked onto gadgets or chilling out with friends. But Shail Saraiya, a student of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, decided to do something different and dedicate his time, energy and effort for community service, with the help of the NGO Juhu-Soul of Mumbai City.
A collaborative effort
In a collective effort by Shail and the NGO’s team, toilets were renovated and made usable in two areas in the Juhu slums—Chandrabai Nagar and Mora Gaon. At Chandrabai, 17 units were renovated, which together cater to 300 slum families and at Mora Gaon, one big unit of toilets was reconstructed from scratch as it was completely redundant. Juhu-based Renu Hansraj from Juhu-Soul of Mumbai City, shares, “The slum dwellers couldn’t use these toilet blocks as they were in a bad state and would defecate on the beaches. These newly renovated and constructed toilet units will not only stop the open defecation but also maintain personal hygiene.”
Saraiya helped in this noble cause by raising funds for a task, which is mammoth for a 17-year-old. “I was always inclined to do something for the community and when I came to know about this ‘Safal’ (Sanitation for All) initiative, I knew it was something I will certainly try. I learnt a lot while helping around with this and I am glad that this benefits hundreds of families.”
Empathy in practice
When asked about what inspired him to serve the community in the first place, he chimes, “Thanks to my parents, I have been able to live a comfortable life but I have observed that not all get to live such a life and there are huge pockets in the city where people don’t even have basic necessities. I thought that I should someday definitely do something for the community but academics didn’t leave me with a lot of time.” So, when this opportunity came along, Saraiya took it up and managed to raise quite a sum of money for the cause. “I also met the slum dwellers and got to know their problems first-hand, which was a different experience.”
Hansraj also added, “We all were quite impressed with Shail’s efforts and energy to raise funds for this work and it is quite commendable that he even thought of doing some good for others at this tender age.”
pooja.patel@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Public Toilet")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}