"Abdul Munaf: The Angel of Mumbai Dedicated to Educating Underprivileged Children"

 

Abdul Munaf, a young man from Rajasthan, has dedicated his life to educating and supporting underprivileged children in Mumbai. As the founder of the Gully Classes Foundation, Abdul's mission is to create a brighter future for kids who are struggling to access primary education. Abdul's story has inspired many, and his foundation has now grown to a team of 20 people, including graduate and postgraduate students, CA, and many dedicated volunteers.

 

Abdul's journey began when he moved to Mumbai with his family and faced challenges due to language barriers. However, he didn't let that stop him from helping others. He started a social media account called Help Other at 17 and began doing monthly drives with his friends to distribute food and clothes to those in need.

 

After completing his education, Abdul went to Kota, Rajasthan, for further studies and noticed that many kids in the area couldn't read basic sentences or solve fundamental math problems. All this inspired him to start Gully Classes on 26th Jan 2020 in Kota, Rajasthan, and his team members began the foundation to offer free education to kids in Mumbai who couldn't afford it.

 

Despite facing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Abdul and his team persisted in their efforts. After a few months, they resumed their classes in Ghatkopar West, where more than 25 students enrolled. In addition to academics, they also conduct sessions on moral values, good habits, crafts, drawing, and outdoor games to enhance creativity and interest in learning.

 

During the second wave of Covid-19, Abdul opened a Reading Room & Library in the Closed government school with the support of the seniors of his village. More than 60 students come daily and prepare for different entrance examinations.

 

After the second wave of Covid-19, Abdul rented a place to teach slum kids, and now more than 80 kids come daily. Gully Classes Foundation also conducts yearly surveys to identify kids from slums who are not attending or going to school due to financial issues or lack of knowledge to get admission. His new project, "Bag of Hope", empowers women to learn new skills and contribute to their families. 

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Abdul's dedication to helping others has already garnered recognition. Mid-Day India covered his story in February 2022. In February 2023, he was honoured as an "Angel of Mumbai" by the Free Press Journal, the oldest newspaper in India.

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As Abdul puts it, "I have two hands, one for our help and one to help others." His commitment to making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children inspires us all.

 

If you want to support Abdul's cause or get involved with Gully Classes Foundation, you can reach him at founder@gcfindia.in or 9323263322