Happiness emerged with a spate of excitement as the Miles2Smile Foundation put up the vibrant banners of ‘Neighborhood Health Camp’. The camp was set up in collaboration with the Shaagird Foundation and TPR at a slum near Kalindi Kunj on September 27.
The Miles2Smile Foundation has always been an advocate of lending a helping hand to any public initiative and community service, and continuing the aim, this time Miles2Smile joined hands for a free medical camp. With its flagship project, ‘Neighbourhood Health Initiative’ dedicated to spreading awareness about health and hygiene and providing medical assistance to the slum residents, Miles2Smile aims at uplifting the health of the people in the slum.
A large number of men and women marched towards the camp after noticing a well-structured tent with a doctor sitting inside it and banners displayed near it. The sense of curiosity among them was palpable.
Their excitement quickly grew upon learning that the camp offered free medical services. Gathering near the tent, they eagerly urged the team to start the camp without delay. Seeing their enthusiasm, it was impossible to delay the start of the camp any longer.
Standing under the blue sky with shades of orange spread across, Aasif Mujtaba , Founder of Miles2Smile & Daniyal Ashraf, the founder of TPR Foundation, flagged off the event with their motivational speech, and encouraged the audience to give themselves a round of applause.
“We often applaud for others but rarely for ourselves. However, when we take a moment to clap for our own achievements, it truly means something significant.” Daniyal said, and the sound of applause echoed through the grounds, bringing an ear-to-ear smile to the faces of everyone.
Highlighting the camp’s objectives. Daniyal said, “Who helps us move forward? We do it ourselves. We should strive to take care of ourselves, and the purpose of this camp is to help you move forward with a healthy life.”
He further stated that as pacifists, our goal is to assist the people in slums with education, access to rations, skill development, healthcare, and various other needs.
“Whether it’s related to your education, skills, health, or anything else, we are here to help you,” he said
Following the motivational speech, Aasif Mujtaba took to the stage to deliver an inspiring dialogue to elevate the audience’s spirits. With the aim of making the audience feel loved, he said, “Our relationship does not end here; it will continue to grow. This is our first health camp in this slum, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
Recognizing the enthusiasm of the women, Mujtaba said, “Taking care of children is a major responsibility that you are all handling exceptionally well. It is truly commendable that you have come to this event while embracing such an important duty.”
Highlighting the primary aim of this health camp is to support people in achieving a healthy life, Mujtaba went on to urge the women to focus on the well-being of their children. “The health of these children is very important, and taking care of them is crucial. You may not always be able to visit a doctor due to financial constraints or lack of time, which is why we have come to you to support your children’s health,” Mujtaba said.
Recalling the horror of the Delhi pogrom 2020 and the resilience of the women, he said, “In 2020, Delhi experienced a pogrom that claimed the lives of many men. Together with the women who lost their husbands, we initiated a stitching center where they can develop their sewing skills.”
He further revealed that, with his assistance, the women at the stitching center are actively involved in creating the health kits. Mujtaba promised to bring these kits along when Miles2Smile next visits the slum.
Following Aasif Mujtaba’s speech, the next speaker was Mohammad Haris, the COO Chief Operations Officer of Shaagird Foundation. Highlighting the importance of education he quotes “Education is the most powerful weapon by which you can change your destiny and fight all the odds in your life”. He further emphasized the precautions and symptoms of Malaria & chikungunya, urging the residents of the slums to adhere to these precautions and consult Dr. Salma, who was available in the tent to assist them. He showcased eye-catching and informative banners to educate the people about the symptoms, which proved to be a highly effective strategy.
“Everything is being understood clearly and will be remembered,” an excited remark from a child echoed through the crowd. After the awareness session, treatment began, and a long line formed in front of Dr. Salma, with each person sharing their concerns while she listened attentively.
Excitement swept over the residents when they spotted the refreshment van, making them quickly rush over to enjoy their share of refreshments. “I need two packets,” a little boy was saying it on loop while jumping in excitement.
Following the successful health camp, Miles2Smile visited the slum to understand the additional challenges faced by the residents. Shazina Khatoon (27) who is a mother to a four-month-old daughter, told Miles2Smile that she was beyond happy to have attended the camp and have consulted the doctor for free. On being asked about other problems, she said that she faces issues related to ration and water. Miles2Smile has promised her to provide potable water in the upcoming months.
The success of the health camp can be gauged by the words of our team members and volunteers.
On being asked about the experience of collaborating with the Miles2Smile, Laiba Noor, co-founder, The Rahi Project, said, “Collaborating, coordinating, and raising awareness for a shared cause was a valuable experience and a lesson to be treasured.”
The camp was not only about providing free medical assistance; it also aimed to learn about the other problems of slum residences, which the Foundation wishes to resolve in the future.
Post-Camp Highlights
The camp was more than a one-day event—it marked a long-term commitment. To uphold this, the Miles2Smile team revisited the next day to understand the ongoing needs of the slum residents.The team distributed mosquito nests, mosquito repellent cream and other medicines advised by Dr Salma.
