FORMER prime minister Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation has been working with students in India to help spread awareness about malaria among slum dwellers in Delhi.
Students from the DLF Public School in Delhi travelled to Savda Ghevra in the city to hand out bed nets to slum residents suffering from disabilities or old age.
While in the slum, the students, who are different faith backgrounds, performed a play about the dangers of malaria and how it can be prevented.
Bimla, a 76-year-old resident from Savda Ghevra’s JJ Colony, said: “We have a big problem with mosquitoes in this area, especially during the monsoon season.
“The water gets accumulated here because of lack of sewage facilities. I am thankful to have received the net, at the time it is needed the most.”
Aparajita Bharti, a 23-year-old lay Buddhist, who is part of the foundation and helped educate the residents of Savda Ghevra about cleanliness, said: “Interfaith work is very important in places like Ghevra.
“Hindu and Muslim families live in close proximity. With limited access to health facilities, it is of utmost importance that both communities work together to improve their surroundings. After the play, everyone agreed to work together to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the area.”
The foundation supports malaria prevention around the world but is known in India for its initiative which encourages people of different faiths to work and learn together.
Over 100 schools are signed up to the TBFF Face to Faith global schools programme, among them DLF Public School is one.
