Students impart lessons in hygiene to slum kids in Gurgaon

Raising awareness about personal health and sanitation, a group of students taught basic hygiene practices such as brushing teeth and washing hands before and after meals to hundreds of children living in slums of Gurgaon on Sunday.

Raising awareness about personal health and sanitation, a group of students taught basic hygiene practices such as brushing teeth and washing hands before and after meals to hundreds of children living in slums of Gurgaon on Sunday. The students also plan to take weekly classes and teach English and mathematics to the kids.

A group of 70 students came together and collected `70,000. They bought and distributed toothbrushes, soaps and toothpaste to over 100 underprivileged children residing in Sector 31. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

A group of 70 students, between the age of 17 and 21, came together and collected Rs 70,000 for the initiative. They bought and distributed toothbrushes, soaps and toothpaste to over hundred underprivileged children residing in Sector 31.

“Most of us have individually taken up initiatives to teach children. But we wanted to make a larger impact. All of us come to the same coaching centre and decided to teach the children the basics about health and hygiene,” said Malvika Tuteja, a 17-year-old Gurgaon resident.

The students gathered the underprivileged children for a two-hour-long session around 10am in a park in Sector 31. They then showed the children how to brush teeth properly and spoke to them about the importance of cleanliness. The group also encouraged their parents to maintain hygiene and reduce the chances of diseases.

Priya, a 4-year-old residing in a slum in Sector 30, said, “I did not know we have to clean our teeth daily with a brush. The paste has a funny taste. But I am going to keep the toothbrush and soap safely and use them every day.”

The students educated the children about basic maths -- addition and subtraction -- through the use of monetary sums. The group also distributed soft toys, snacks and juice bottles to the children, who were overjoyed with the gifts.

Bharat Agarwal, 17-year-old group member, said, “My sister gave a part of her first salary for the initiative. When we distributed the gifts, the joy on the faces of the children was unmatched. The children promised to follow what was taught in the session.”