Sharjah based popular youth community group “Students for the Earth” recently concluded an innovative campaign called “A Dose of Help” to collect unused medicines to support humanitarian and environment efforts .

The campaign was launched  at the beginning of Ramadan on 18th June and was concluded on 5th July. It aimed to collect unused , still good medicines to help protect the environment as well as support the needy.

The drive “A Dose of help” was conceptualized , organized and led by group President Arushi  Madan and it’s Team Leader Khyati Saxena.

'We have been doing lot of environmental , social and voluntary events all throughout the year. At the onset of holy month of Ramadan , we thought of doing something really different , never/rarely  heard of and which would help protect the environment as well as would help the needy means we wanted  to collaborate environment and humanitarian causes in one drive. When it comes to the environment, people focus on things like plastic and paper. We thought , to be different , to think on something other than commonly known plastics , papers, cans etc. What else is there which people treat as waste but can be helpful to others.  After some brainstorming , we decided to do a drive to collect unused /good  and sealed medicines with expiry 1 year or longer .When medicines are not used, either because the doctor changed the prescription or told the patient to stop the medication, there is no reason for people to keep these medicines in their homes. This way a lot of people have good medicine at home that can be used ', said group President Arushi  Madan.

Team Leader Khyati Saxena said 'We created an  event poster  and launched the campaign by posting the poster all across on our various social media channels. We also put the poster in our buildings to have people  actively participate in this charity drive to help its benefits reach the maximum number of people. We were pleasantly surprised seeing the response from the first day itself. '

Group received great response from not only students and parents but also from pharmacies & clinics . Medicines were sorted , checked for their expiry , good condition and seal before packing in cartons to be given to Emirates Red Crescent .

They were able to collect more than 1000 units of medicines with  more than 120 different types of medicines including nasal drops , paracetamol , thyroxine, insulin, ointments , cough syrups , etc.

The medicines were handed over to Emirates Red Crescent on 5th July at  Khalid Tower Park , Sharjah which was the assembly point for donors who wanted to come . While  Khyati thanked donators for their contribution and emphasised on the strong message and objective behind such a campaign , Arushi Madan inspired attendees with her motivational talk on environmental values and wrapped up the event with a 'Green Pledge'.

Grade 4 student and donator Abhinnand Krishna said ,“ This event very nicely raised awareness concerning drug donations. Instead of wasting medicine we can save a life by donating it and I am proud and happy to participate in it”

Another student Neola Castelino said ,” As a student, since I can't donate money to charities. I thought I could try my best to donate medicines to Red Crescent. For this event, I visited many nearby pharmacies , most of them have donated a lot of medicines. Moreover, my dad's colleagues also have sent in many medicines and even my family doctor supported me in this noble cause. I feel very happy after collecting and donating the same for the needy. Due to the lack of hospitals/clinics or medicines , there are many people dying in rural areas in some parts of the country. These medicines would help at least few people

Children can contribute in many ways to the society. If there is a will there definitely is a way.'

Venkatesan Sundar said ,” this was the first event of its kind organized by Students for the Earth and an eye opener for me. Our family will always ensure that the left over medicines  with expiry dates beyond a year are given to Emirates Red Crescent Society'.

Another student Kaviya Maka said  'Wonderful initiative, this is giving me a good inspiration for doing a further charity work.. Definitly I am continuing my charity work through out my life.'

While Vismaya Sanilkumar said' By donating medicines, students such as myself are also able to do our bit for mankind.'

Lisha Fessy said 'by conducting such events  we can contribute our small share to the less fortunate.' 

Campaigns like this have a positive impact on society in terms of its environmental, charity and humanitarian aspects. It also contributes in instilling the culture of social solidarity in people, especially in Ramadan.

“Students for the Earth” is a leading youth community group and is a member of Earth Charter International Youth Groups.  

For joining Students for the Earth ,pl email to  studentsfortheearth@gmail.com   

and visit their FB page  https://www.facebook.com/studentsfortheearth?ref=hl