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Wellington College student Inaayat has made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of Delhi children.
Inaayat, who joined the Wellington Lower Sixth in September 2021, was previously educated at Vassant Valley School, one of the most prestigious schools in New Delhi. On her frequent trips past one of the local Government schools, Inaayat couldn’t help but realise the vast difference between the education she was lucky to receive, compared to the provision that was on offer for the majority of the population in Delhi. In particular, she was dismayed at the lack of play facilities and the dilapidated state of the learning environment at the primary school run by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation. On meeting the Principal of the school, she also became aware that attendance was dropping, partly due to the pandemic, but partly due to the lack of incentive the children felt to go to school.
Inaayat decided there and then to do something about it, and so set up a number of meetings with local businesses, gaining their support to launch a significant fund-raising operation. The fruit of her labours was the tidy sum of 7 lakh rupees, enough to build a brand-new basketball court for the school, and to provide a tiled area for outdoor assemblies and meetings. Inaayat takes over the story: “It felt really important to try to actually do something that would make a difference – and it was like a dream come true to see the smiling faces of the children as they played on the new court. I was so happy to hear from the Principal that attendance was increasing again, because now the children know that as well as working hard at their lessons they have the chance to play hard as well. It’s even better that it’s not just this group of children who will benefit, but also the generations yet to come. I am full of hope that I can develop the scheme to benefit other schools in other districts”. Given the success of her scheme, and the fact that her story featured so prominently in The Times of India, the nation’s most revered broadsheet, there is indeed every chance that this will happen.
Inaayat, who is studying Maths, Chemistry and Economics for her A Levels hopes to go on to study in the USA: “Columbia would be the dream”, she says, “but for now I am just enjoying all that Wellington has to offer, but whatever else I do I want to continue to make a difference to the life of others”.
We are all very proud of her, and are delighted that like so many Wellingtonians before her, she holds the value of service so dear. Many congratulations Inaayat, and good luck with your next project!
