Making a Difference in West Bengal

At a time of dual crisis in the state of West Bengal, with the ill effects of both the lockdown and super cyclone 'Amphan', Sanjana Salome Durairaj from III BSW has been reaching out to vulnerable children, daily wage labourers, domestic workers, street dwellers, and even a shelter for the homeless. She has volunteered over the past two months in Kolkata and rural West Bengal in distributing essential rations, hygiene kits, tarpaulin, face masks, stationery kits for children in the rural areas and sanitary napkins, to over 2,000 families, alongside NGOs. One of the noteworthy interventions made was when the student encountered a few children begging on the streets and soon learnt that they were from a deprived community, with a considerable number of people who had taken to begging because of the present scenario. A mask drive was then initiated in this community, during which a need-based assessment was made. Within a week of fundraising, Sanjana and her friends were able to reach out to 155 families in partnership with Stronger Kolkata Initiative. 

"The adversities faced by the marginalised, reinforces the role of a social worker at a time like this. Returning home with a smile, after an entire day of relief work is what a rewarding experience is to me. Every face that beams in gratitude, is my motivation."- Sanjana Salome Durairaj.