Help This Fearless Cancer Survivor Save Her School From Shutting Down

Story
Updates (8)

"I always nurtured a dream of someday having a school of my own. When I went through 3rd stage cancer when breast feeding my 11 month old daughter who was diagnosed with special needs, for a moment I felt none of my dreams will ever come true. But, my drive to be there for my daughter and not give up on life before I achieve something helped me fight cancer hard. Today, I have survived without any evidence of disease for 22 years "

In 1996, Farida Rizwan was diagnosed with 3rd stage Breast Cancer when her mentally challenged daughter was just 11 months old. Farida had been running a canteen at the Bangalore Children's Hospital and Research Centre, but lost her job when she was diagnosed. She received no financial support from her husband too who had left her for another life in Dubai after her diagnosis.

"I travelled around Bangalore in crowded BTS buses, with my bald head, carrying my daughter and soft toys to sell them"

Throughout this toughest phase of her life, Farida's motivation was her daughter. "I didn't want to leave my daughter fight it out alone in this society and wanted to live for her". After a 5 year battle with cancer she finally won over it. Her struggle with the disease changed her forever.

Inspired by her daughter and wanting to make the world a better place for kids like her, she decided to have her school where there would be one kid with special needs for every eight students.

I made sure I have raised my daughter with a lot of dignity and attitude even though I was going through cancer, but I see a lack of understanding in people while dealing with special kids in society. Through this school my aim will be to sensitise the kids and their parents and make them understand that special kids are normal kids too. They can learn along with the normal kids in a regular school set up and do not need a separate school.

I want the kids with special needs to learn from their peers and gain confidence to mingle. At the same time, other kids can also learn to respect and treat those differently abled as equals,”

Farid who had worked as a counsellor and a content writer had put all her savings into this school but any new concept is not going to met with immediate acceptance in the society and similarly many parents backed out once a special child was admitted in the school. So her admissions have dropped drastically. She is now short of funds to run the school

I invested more than 11,00,000 INR in my project . Many parents with special needs children have approached me for help for their children, I am unable to contribute anything to them. Like I fought with my cancer, I'm going to fight to make my school a success. If there is anyone out there who believes in my school and the idea I request you to kindly make a donation so that many special kids can benefit.

Details for direct bank transfer / UPI

UPI: givetofaridar@yesbankltd (Copy to clipboard)

Virtual account name: Farida Rizwan - Milaap
Account number: 8080811052814
IFSC code: YESB0CMSNOC

Click here to read the instructions before you make a bank transfer.

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1st August 2019

Dear Donors,

Thank you.

As mentioned earlier, Giggle Garden is making a slow, but steady progress. I am almost breaking even with the expenditures with just a little shortage at present. Hope that will change in near future.
We organized few events in the previous term and wish to do the same this year. Pictures of those events are shared below.

This year, I unfortunately lost quite a few admissions due to lack of transport facilities. My next target is to arrange for an safe vehicle for our Gigglers. I will not be using the Milaap funds unless it is enough for me to arrange for a school mini van. That will give a big boost for us. I have introduced Flintoclass as a part of our curriculum besides Montessori. We have brought in lot of worksheets and books for facilitating learning in children.

I am grateful to everyone who have helped me in growing my dream into reality. It is a pleasure to see that no child is treated different and all learn together in our Giggle Garden. No child is left behind in our center.

Children and parents in our center have great understanding and acceptance of people with special needs.
My dream of inclusive education has been very successful and all the effort, struggle and my fight has been worth seeing the special smiles. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me to take this ahead.

21st March 2019

Dear Donors,

Thank you for the wonderful support!

Here is a quick update!

Giggle Garden is growing slowly but steadily. We are hosting our first annual day program soon. Thank you everyone for not making me give up on my dream.

Thank you once again

Regards
Farida

2nd March 2019

Dear Donors

Thank you for stepping in to support me in my venture. You have made a huge difference to my school so far. As for the update, the student strength has doubled from 5 students earlier to 11 at present. I hope for more admissions to happen during the month of May and June.
So far the funds withdrawn have been utilized to bring about a change to the school which has kept it running for the year. It also came in handy when I could utilize it to clear my rent without much hassle.
Now I am preparing for the admissions for the next year. I have to invest in the manufacture of uniforms and study materials for children. This amount will come back to me when parents buy them, which in turn will be invested in Montessori materials and other infrastructure required for my school. I hope to gear up for admissions so that the school becomes self-reliant and we can close the fundraiser soon.
One of the most needed things for our school was a signboard which would attract attention. I had it done for 10,000/- for which the bill was not shared but I had recorded the payment made in cash for the person who installed it. For the rest, I have bills and invoices with me. Also, bank transaction statements are available.
Flintoclass materials – 26,120
My Kids Arena 26,655
Sign Board 10,000
Kidken Montessori 17,740
Materials
Total - 80,515
At present, I will be investing the withdrawn amount for the manufacture of Uniforms and school bags for children required for the year 2019/20 which will approximately cost me around 50,000/-
Flintoclass Preschool Materials which will cost me around 35,000/-
Though the amount is higher than the funds available, I will be able to manage it with the help received. Kindly do not hold back the funds at this crucial juncture because once the admission period is over, I will have to another year to make the impact. Kindly keep sharing and supporting the campaign.

Thank you for all the love and support!

Regards
Farida