Hyderabad:
Reyan Sai Yelamarti, a Grade 12 IB student at Oakridge International School, Gachibowli, has been helping garbage collectors for the past 20 months. He noticed their tough working conditions and wanted to make a difference.
Reyan saw that garbage collectors in Hyderabad work in very poor conditions. They work every day, no matter the weather, without proper protective gear. They have to sort through waste with their bare hands and worn-out shoes. This made Reyan want to help them.
He started creating safety kits for the garbage collectors in his area. These kits include masks, gloves, shoe covers, sanitizers, rubber boots, vitamin tablets, and other essentials. The goal is to protect the workers from diseases and illnesses.
Reyan didn’t stop at just making safety kits. He also organized drives to collect old clothes, toys, shoes, kitchenware, and other essentials. He donated these items to the families of garbage collectors, who often struggle financially.
In addition, Reyan worked on educating the community about waste segregation. He even made a documentary to show the struggles and importance of garbage collectors. His efforts have gained a lot of attention, and he hopes to inspire others to support the garbage collectors of Hyderabad.