A nineteen-year-old teenager has constructed up a community network of “neighbours helping neighbours” during the pandemic.
Zakaria Dada of The Ridgway, Wimbledon, launched Merton Mutual Aid whereas he was learning for his A ranges during the primary lockdown.
He constructed up over 1000 volunteers inside a few days and was admin for over 60 WhatsApp teams.
Through the totally different WhatsApp teams he arrange a network of over 3000 volunteers within the Merton borough, helping susceptible neighbours during the Covid-19 disaster.
He was capable of preserve monitor of requests, reply questions, and put up messages, aiding lots of of individuals on a weekly foundation.
Zakaria additionally raised cash by the funds and grants group, and ran a procurements group which labored with massive corporations, for instance Nestle and Lush, who donated 1000’s of merchandise to South West London hospitals and foodbanks. He organised lots of of collections of meals and toiletry parcels each week to provide to the NHS hospitals and Wimbledon Foodbank.
Zakaria obtained a #PointsofLight award from the Prime Minister, on the finish of 2020, thanking him for his work during lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned in a letter to Zakaria:” I wished to write down to you personally to thanks in your service to others, bringing collectively 1000’s of volunteers to uplift the community of Merton.”
Since the primary lockdown Zakaria has branched out into different areas, and began the London Furniture Collective (now Dons Furniture Group).
The Collective receives referrals from councils, MPs, councillors and native organisations for households in want of furnishings and different very important home goods. These households are often based mostly in non permanent lodging or not too long ago moved into everlasting lodging.
Zakaria initially supported Dons with laptops for his or her Keep Kids Connected Appeal, extremely supplying 57 laptops personally after reaching a grant.
He is at the moment supporting Merton Health and Merton GP Federation in supplying volunteers reminiscent of marshals and directors for vaccine assist within the Merton Borough.
Zakaria is now learning legislation at UCL (University College London), and residing at house so he can proceed to assist @MertonMutualAid and his different charities, however to not the extent he was.
He is at the moment working 23 WhatsApp teams, and in addition working half time, an inspiration to the Merton community he has helped a lot during the pandemic.
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