Emma Narvaez
Every summer and into the fall months, monsoon season occurs for countries in South and Southeast Asia. Monsoons are seasonal reversing winds that are typically accompanied by changes in precipitation, and often occur where the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean meet [1]. Although certain countries that undergo this season rely on the heavy rainfall for agricultural needs and thus, economic growth, monsoons also impose major threats on the infrastructure and health of its society [2]. The frequent flooding often results in drowning, damaged buildings, and compromised water purification systems, consequently spreading diseases such as cholera. To address such humanitarian issues, Grade 11 student Roy founded a non-profit organization “Monsoon Outreach and Relief Efforts,” aiming to “give M.O.R.E. to those who deserve it.”
M.O.R.E. club advertisement
Roy was inspired to initiate this organization due to personal exposure of displaced individuals. Having previously lived in the Philippines, and distributed food to the homeless in Kannai through the Service Learning Club, Roy began “thinking it might be a bit hard for these people to live comfortably during the monsoon season.” Consequently, the idea of starting a club that focused on providing aid for these victims of the monsoon season emerged. The Grade 11 student also discussed this with a friend living in Dubai who’s from India and had previously suffered from the monsoon season, and the two decided to make this club a global initiative.
One specific challenge faced during the monsoon season that Roy described was that it can “sometimes [be] hard for homeless people to find shelters because some summer shelters are closed down because of the rain.” Additionally, he explained that there are a lot of “flu and stomach illnesses because of the rain and a lot of infections in general.” Roy also explained that although M.O.R.E.’s demographic is homeless people, he thought that “specifying [the issue] to the monsoon season would be better for [them] to set a goal and work towards it.” Currently, the M.O.R.E. club is still in the process of planning events and projects that will provide relief and assistance to those affected by monsoons; however, Roy mentioned that they are thinking of hosting “some kind of bazaar, similar to the Christmas Bazaar, but for obviously a different cause.” With the collected funds, the club plans to purchase items that will be sent to an organization such as Hands On Tokyo. However, Roy explained that the club is still researching what items should be bought, and where they can be sent to.
To support M.O.R.E.’s mission, Roy suggested that students join the club, in which there are four sectors: social media management, website development, fundraising, and charity/research. In addition, “participating in the events [they] will be planning to host” would be another way students could be involved.
M.O.R.E. club meeting
When inquired upon the impact Roy hopes the M.O.R.E. club will have both locally and globally, he stated: “To be honest, we know that it’s not going to have an enormous impact, it’s not going to make all homeless people happy and comfortable. But I feel like even if we put in some effort and that helps the quality of living for at least some people, I think that would be worth our time.”
Overall, the M.O.R.E. initiative is one that strives to gather collective support in assisting those who face the harshest realities of the monsoon season.
Thank you, Roy, for highlighting this issue here at Saint Maur, and The Maurdian wishes all your efforts the best!
Works Cited
[1] UNICEF. “Monsoon Relief.” UNICEF USA, 2023, www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/emergency-response/weather-disasters/monsoons
[2] National Geographic. “Monsoon.” Education.nationalgeographic.org, 2023, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/monsoon/
Emma Narvaez