Stepping out of Oasis

The students of Oasis International School, Bengaluru, conducted a clothes donation drive for migrant workers.

Aditi Subramanian

Today’s educational system stresses on a holistic learning experience for students. The process of learning is no longer confined within the four walls of classrooms. Teachers encourage their students to apply their theoretical knowledge in their everyday lives. While some subjects can be taught in classrooms, one’s character, beliefs and conscience is developed by interacting with people from all walks of life. The values of an individual play a vital role in their growth, behaviour and their attitude towards life. Hence, many schools have started coming up with activities and initiatives that give students an opportunity to interact with people and make an impact on society.

The pandemic forced schools and teachers to shift to online spaces and the students had to get accustomed to the new norm. While the virus caused hurdles in the process of learning for the latter, it exposed an already inefficient social infrastructure which adversely affected low-income families. This was a reality that students should learn to develop as good human beings. One such school was Oasis International School, Bengaluru. When the nation-wide lockdown was announced in 2020, it affected the migrant workers the most While the crisis started then, migrant workers have been facing hardships since; the lack of job security and the devastation caused by the second wave has led to a sharp rise in anxiety among them. However, many workers have now come to cities along with their families to work because of the shortage of money.

Two hundred such migrant workers and their families are currently living in Bidarahalli, Bengaluru. They migrated from Maharashtra, Delhi, and Bangladesh in search of work. They are currently working on a contractual basis and there is a colossal gap between their current living conditions and minimal necessities.

In an attempt to bridge this gap, the members of the Oasis Community Connect (OCC) at Oasis International School planned and organised a clothes donation drive to distribute clothes to the migrant workers and their families. Rakiya Zainab, a teacher at the school and the head of the Service Learning Program (SLP) organised the campaign, “Why Not?” wherein students of classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 were encouraged to donate clothes that were in good condition, not discards. After the collection drive, a few students, along with teachers, went to the homes of the workers and distributed clothes.

“As soon as the workers and their families realised that we were here to donate clothes, they got eager to get them. They welcomed us and were happy to receive them. While most of the donation drives donate products without inspecting them, we made sure that the clothes that were being donated were in a good condition. Additionally, the students learnt a valuable lesson—donation is better than accumulation,” says Rakiya.

While the campaign purely focused on donating clothes, the teachers and students immediately realised that there was scope to do more. “While we had collected many clothes to donate, many of the families of migrant workers went back emptyhanded. However, we plan to do more. The teachers of the school are planning to donate sanitary napkins to the women living in the area. Many parents of the students wish to get involved. We are planning to ask the primary school students to bring an extra lunchbox to school. Many of the students suggested starting a creche-like facility that can take care of the children of migrant workers while their parents are at work,” she says. The students of the school were humbled as they talked to migrants about the pandemic. “There was a language barrier as many of them did not know Hindi or English, and it took them time to open up. However, the heads of the community told us about their financial constraints and the challenges caused by the pandemic. As a student, it helped me understand the seriousness of the hardships faced by them,” says a student of the school. The campaign caused a lasting impact on the students of the Oasis International School and has helped some decide their futures and careers. “I have actively been taking part in the initiatives organised by the Oasis Community Connect since I was in the 6th grade. These campaigns have made me realise the privilege that I have and made me aware of the urgent needs of society. I wish to make a change and be a social activist when I grow up,” says another student.