Star International School, Al Twar-
Charity Walkathon raises Dhs 10,000
Assembly time at Star Int’l School, usually means handing out Certificates to Star Students and reading out relevant bits from the newspaper. This time, Principal Dolly Goriawala read from the Gulf News paper about a 28 year old burn victim – Mohammad Abdo Shazili. Ma’am Dolly asked the students how they could help and thus was born the “Save An Individual” (S.A.I.) Star Charity group. The students took it upon themselves to help raise funds for Moh’d Shazili, who is currently awaiting life-changing surgery to help repair the 85% burns he has sustained on his body.
Says Al Shazili, “Chemicals for pest control were sprayed in the kitchen. When I tried to switch on the cooker, there was a huge explosion. My body caught fire. I thought I will die. I could see my body burning but I could not help myself.”
It has been just pain and suffering for Al Shazili since the accident. Star School decided on a Charity Walkathon as a means of raising funds. “Charity towards others is a lesson all children should learn at a young age” says Principal Goriawala. The school had been collecting for two months and decided to make a final big push in their efforts. In doing so, they held a charity walk. Children were encouraged to show their support by bringing in a Dhs. 10/- donation and then, in exchange, they could wear their choice of football clothing. In a football-crazy school, this kind of incentive worked wonders. At the final count, the students realized that they had collected Dhs. 10,250/-
In an act of solidarity and support, the school then walked around the perimeter of their school, using the time to reflect on how fortunate they are. After the walk, lessons resumed as normal with teachers asking questions and learners giving answers; though one question still remains disputed, “Which is the greatest football team?”
On this day, though, one would have to say that Star International School was the winning team as they collected Dhs. 10,250/- which will certainly go a long way in helping Mohammad Al Shazili on the road to recovery.
Should you wish to aid Al Shazili, please contact Ms. Mary Cassidy on the school number, 04-2638999.
