August 13, 2016 - World Organ Donation Day - to mark this day’s importance among the student community and to spread awareness about the noble cause of Organ Donation, Sreelakshmi V, a grade 9 student of Our Own English High School, Sharjah, who had earlier in the year, formed a students’ team named HOPE - Have Only Positive Expectations, announced an online short story writing competition for school students in UAE on the theme Organ Donation and named it “GIFT OF LIFE.”

HOPE started its journey by addressing socio-cultural-eco related activities in the society with the aim to give maximum exposure to the student community to involve in such activities with the support and guidance of their parents apart from their busy academic schedule.

“There is no other Gift greater than Organ Donation” said Sreelakshmi, “the best Gift anybody can give.”  We are all born with the ability to change one’s life with a smile. It is high time to create awareness among general public and the student community about the need of the hour - Organ Donation. The efforts extended by MOHAN Foundation, India in this regard is remarkable. She was fortunate to be associated with MOHAN Foundation for her event. With the support of MOHAN Foundation that provided certificates for winners and participants, the event received good response from the students. The competition was announced in 3 categories and winners were decided by an eminent panel of judges. The results announcement and certificates distribution event was conducted on October 14, 2016, at ASAP Tutor, Sharjah with the support and cooperation by MOHAN Foundation volunteers Mrs. Vasundhara Raghavan and Mrs. Sindhuja Ram.

The event also held a session on “how to write a short story” by the judges which was well appreciated by students and parents. Mrs. Vasundhara Raghavan shared her own experience as an Organ Donor and she also explained the importance of Organ Donation, and Mrs. Sindhuja Ram explained about the activities of MOHAN Foundation and the importance of Organ Donation and she also extended all her support and guidance to those who needed it in this regard. It was an interactive session with the whole hearted participation by students and their parents. The beautiful certificates designed by MOHAN Foundation was distributed to the winners and participants by Mrs. Vasundhara Raghavan, Mrs. Tajunnisa, and Mrs. Sindhuja Ram.

The following students bagged first, second and third places in the GIFT OF LIFE online short story writing competition.

 According to the judges, all the entries received were so competitive and it was with great difficulty that they decided the winners. Students of different schools from Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai and Ras Al Khaima participated in the competition. All the selected entries will be posted shortly in PRUDENTIA – the book club under HOPE.

Sreelakshmi extends her thanks and gratitude to MOHAN Foundation for supporting her event and hopes to be associated with the Foundation for spreading awareness about the noble of organ donation.