MAF distributes personal hygiene products

Amidst the monsoon rains of Mahim, Aboli Foundation distributed personal hygiene products to seven schools. We divided our team into three groups so that we could sort out the distribution in one day rather than over a week.

Each student received a packet consisting of three pairs of underwear and undershirts and one towel. We also distributed toothbrushes to five schools that were keen to stay involved in our dental hygiene campaign.

Dasgav and Talpaada were the most difficult to reach. The rock-strewn roads have become even more uneven during the monsoon and the muddy paths can only be traversed by the most wilful of rickshaws which, thankfully, we had rented for the distribution. The roads to Agar, Mahim No. 1, Tembhi Paada, Temki Paada and Dhavange Paada were slightly easier to access by car and motorcycle. Thus, Aboli volunteer Aabha and I distributed goods to the first two schools via the rickshaw, while board members Shubhada and Rajvi divided up the rest. 

At Aboli Foundation, we are keen on ensuring the children understand the purpose of these products. Children listen and are more likely to act on what they’re told if they understand why. With this philosophy in mind, we also explained the importance of personal hygiene and how the students could be responsible for their own health. We also explained the best way to brush teeth to the students who received toothbrushes.

As there was a lot of Marathi explaining to be done, I was initially apprehensive about having to speak without the support of Shubhada or Rajvi. However, Aabha and I managed although we stumbled through some sentences and conjugated verbs incorrectly. 

We wouldn’t have been able to have such a successful distribution if not for the support of the various teachers of the ZP schools. We are incredibly grateful for their proactivity in helping us accomplish our campaigns.