Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

In accordance with school resumption in September, textbooks and stationery were donated to 423 students at Saraswati Shishu Niketan, a school run by Ecoles De La Terre Welfare Society in Bodhgaya, India. The donation was organized by AMDA’s affiliated organization, Japan India Friendship Medical Center Trust (JIFMCT).

Following the state regulation in Bihar, local schools had been temporarily closed from this March through August. At Saraswati Shishu Niketan, it is usually the school that bears 50% of the textbook fees to lessen the burden on students’ families. However, many households were facing financial difficulties as economy plunged due to COVID-19. Because of this, many of the families were finding it hard to afford the rest of the expense.

 “A lot of parents were telling us that they couldn’t pay for the textbooks as they lost their jobs. And that is why we asked JIFMCT for support,” Mr. Rajesh Kumar, the head of the welfare organization, said. “The donation was a huge help for us. We feel truly thankful for that.”

After receiving the school supplies, a female student made the following comment in a tearful voice: “My father has been out of work, but thanks to this kind of assistance, I don’t have to quit school. Had that been the case, I could have been begging on the streets by now. I’d never thought I could get these textbooks. Thanks so much.”