SHILLONG: It is a modern day story of Robin Hood and his gang who go out of their way to help the poor and the destitute. If you are thinking about a literary sequel of the 13th century English folklore, then get real.
Robin Hood Army, with its 23 members, is no stranger from Sherwood Forest but a friend closer home.
The Army is known for their benevolence, the recent being the case of a poor woman suffering from brain tumor.
The woman, identified as 35-year-old Bahaunsisha from Umpling, was in a critical condition. But the mother of five did not have the money to go for the life-saving operation as her husband was only a daily wage earner.
It was then that the Army came to know about her and decided to intervene.
They got in touch with a few cement companies in the state and sought help under their Corporate Social Responsibility initiative. Many companies have promised to pay for Bahaunsisha’s treatment.
Now, the woman can speak after a critical operation at Super Care Hospital.
Robin Hood Army is a Delhi-based organisation that collects surplus food from restaurants and distributes among street children and footpath-dwellers.
It has its network in other cities and the Shillong chapter of the Army works
aggressively to include street children in the mainstream. The project started in 2016 and the organisation uses food as a tool to interact with underprivileged children.
The Army members collect food from donor Navin Sweets in Laitumkhrah every night and distribute them among the poor. However, sources said only excess food at the counter is collected and not leftovers by customers.
The NGO also provides clothes, health check-ups and formal and informal education to the children.
The Army tries to rehabilitate street children with the help of rehabilitation centres or settle them back with their families. So far, 12 children have been rehabilitated all thanks to the local Robin Hoods.
