Dr.Iffat is an angel for children of lesser God

Story by  Shaista Fatima | Posted by  shaista fatima • 2 Years ago
Students of Dr. Iffat whom she got admitted into school
Students of Dr. Iffat whom she got admitted into school

 

Shaista Fatima/New Delhi

Dr.Iffat Faridi a Ph.D. in special education says, “Back in Amroha when I was in my 10th standard, I remember teaching the kids of my colony.”

Little did Iffat know that this hobby of hers would transform into her full-time passion and change many lives in Bengaluru.

Dr.Iffat lived for a whopping 22 years in Delhi where she worked with myriad of Universities namely Jamia Millia islamia, Delhi University, AMU and SCERT as a lecturer and was also engaged with many NGO'S,  "Helping people and bringing a little change in anyone's life matters a lot to me..", she later shifted to Bengaluru with her husband. 

"My last job was as a Director, Syntex Academy, Bengaluru.." she adds.

It happened one fine day while returning home from her gymnasium that she noticed children with broad smiles on their faces and sadness in their eyes idling away time in the slumps.

Awaz

The slum children who now go to school as well as get tution from Dr.Iffat

She soon befriended the children who often loitered around in park and public spaces and she decided to be their guardian angel by giving them the gift of education.

That was way back in the year 2014.

Speaking to Awaz the Voice, Dr.Iffat recalls, “I asked them which school they were attending and whether they wanted to study..”

These children often spent their time in trivia fights and roaming around; they were more than happy to study and learn the basics. “My work is my passion, I have gained so much from the society, it was my good luck to be born in an educated and privileged family. I feel this is my chance to give back to the society…” she adds.

Her first batch was of 22 children,“I got them admitted into school and appointed a Kannada teacher as well. As some of their attained the age of 14 and I made them write 10th class examinations.

Today when I look back I see around 50 kids who know how to read and write and some amongst them are pursuing higher education.” Dr.Iffat, an alumna of the Jamia Milia Islamia's education department said.

Awaz

The happy faces of kids all ready for school

Dr.Iffat feels these children are as intelligent as any other children from financially secure families. It’ just that they lack resources.

“One of my students, Monica wants to be an IAS officer..” she said with a sense of pride.

While  is all in support of their future endeavors yet she wants her students to secure a job first, “I want my undergrad students to pursue B.Ed after BA and land in a job, this way they’ll be able to support their well-being and their families as well..”.

Awaz

Dr.Iffat's brighest protégé Monica who is pursuing BA now helps other kids with their studies

She counsels other children not interested in academics to pursue technical courses so that they can find a respectable job and take their struggle to a logical conclusion, "My girls are very decent, though it is a little tricky to handle the boys lot.."

When asked about her emotional connection with the kids she says, “I want all my kids to achieve the best in their lives but I am not emotionally attached. I believe emotions make  weak at times as they tend to make you selfish..”

Otherwise a very emotional Iffat says, "My heart cries when I see these kids under dilapidated roofs, I can't change that thus I wish to empower them..."

Awaz

Dr.Iffat's "me" time with her paltan

Iffat’s aim is to serve humanity selflessly, “I feel it is my duty to take care of the underprivileged section around me and education is the best gift with which I can serve my society and my country..”

"It has been eight years now, we gradually got our initiative registered as an NGO in the year 2017 and named it Koshish Foundation..", she adds.

Currently, she is also associated with an NGO named Planet Home that provides shelter to displaced kids.

Awaz

Dr.Iffat with her students

Iffat says her friends, family, and acquaintances are working as sponsors for her NGO.

When asked about the pandemic and how it affected her cause she says, “this time took kids from school to streets..”

She says pandemic was a tough time as there were meager resources and no one at aid, though she made efforts and arranged mobile phones for her undergrad students.“Kids need constant guidance, but then it was really tough to stay afloat..”

Dr.Iffat says she stayed in touch with her students through WhatsApp and also arranged ration for their families during the lockdown era.

Awaz

Dr.Iffat redifing "women empowerment"

In her closing remarks, Iffat says, “When I see the way children live in slum it makes me very sad, when it rains heavily I get worried about water seeping in their huts, but I cannot do anything so I focus to change their lives through education…”