How MBS students are creating value for their communities amid a global pandemic
By Amrita Raja
It’s November, and we are officially over half a year into this pandemic. The initial days of mayhem and panic have subsided, so has the complete obsession with being productive during every hour of the day.
The isolation, frustration and professional stagnation may have bothered many. Nonetheless, we heard several stories about how people utilised this time to hone their professional skills, pick up new hobbies, get fit or simply start cooking. But today, I have a different snapshot of life during the pandemic to share. It is about how students like you and I have been able to use this lockdown to not just hone our skills but also create value for the community around us.
The first snapshot is about an initiative called Her Cooking, conceptualised and operated by fellow Haera, a MBS classmate and dear friend. Haera has always been a fabulous cook and baker. She started her business out of her own apartment in Central Melbourne in May 2020. With very little resources, no assistance but truckloads of passion, Haera has been able to fulfil more than 40 orders every day. She is a ‘one-woman show’ and handles all her marketing through social media. She delivers her warm, sweet and scrumptious pastries to people stuck in lockdown, away from their homes and families. These treats have reminded people of the comforts of their homes and given them a reason to smile.
The second snapshot is an initiative I have been personally involved in, and that has touched my heart and life. Project Saathi is an initiative of a non-government organisation (NGO) founded in India. Launched in January 2020, Project Saathi focuses on capacity-building in public schools. The founder is a young aspiring solicitor, Debargha. He invited me to join the organisation as its Patron, an offer I gladly accepted. Today, we have 50 volunteers who have helped to change the lives of more than 1000 students across the country. Recently, we launched a drive to collect old smartphones and distributed them to students experiencing financial hardship. This has enabled so many of them to continue their education online during this pandemic.
While this has been one of the toughest years yet, I reflect on our ability to do good for others even in the face of personal challenges and hardships. I am reminded that young people with limited resources can still create value for their communities and make a positive impact to the world around us. Finally, I am also proud to know and be involved in initiatives that have their roots in MBS.
- Amrita Raja, MBS Student Ambassador