Alfaz Sheikh from Betia village in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, has offered his months-old piggy bank savings to help people affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, as per The Times of India reports. The Class V student arrived at the Kushinagar district magistrate’s office with his father, businessman Imran Ali Siddiqui, on Thursday and handed over his piggy bank to District Magistrate Mahendra Singh Tanwar.
Alfaz had carefully saved one- and two-rupee coins along with ₹10, ₹50 and ₹100 notes. However, after seeing images of submerged homes, displaced families and people struggling for food and safety in Nepal, he decided that his savings could be put to better use. He also submitted an application requesting the administration to ensure that his contribution reaches those affected by the disaster.
A Child’s Selfless Choice
For Alfaz, the decision meant giving up money he had been saving for his own future needs. He expressed, “I had saved money for my future needs. But when I came to know about Nepal disaster, I decided to use it to help people in distress.”
His father said the idea came after Alfaz repeatedly watched television and social media reports showing the destruction in Nepal. The visuals of families losing their homes and struggling to survive deeply affected the child.
“The videos disturbed him deeply. He kept thinking about the people who lost their homes and told me that he wanted to do something to help them. We respected his feelings and supported him,” Imran said.
As per The Times of India reports, Alfaz’s gesture also moved officials at the district magistrate’s office. Tanwar praised the child for his compassion and said the administration would ensure the money reaches Nepal through the appropriate channel.
More Than Just Savings
The district administration chose not to immediately count the money inside Alfaz’s piggy bank. For Tanwar, the sentiment behind the contribution mattered more than the amount collected.
“We respected the child’s feelings and the spirit behind his gesture, so we did not even count the money he brought in his piggy bank,” Tanwar said. He added that the entire amount would be sent through the appropriate channel so that Alfaz’s contribution could reach Nepal as aid.
The official also emphasised that the significance of the gesture lay not in its monetary value but in the compassion shown by the young student.
When asked what he wanted to become when he grew up, Alfaz offered an answer that reflected the same spirit behind his decision: “Whatever I become, I would help people in distress.”
Nepal Faces Humanitarian Crisis
Alfaz’s gesture comes as Nepal continues to deal with the devastating impact of severe flash floods that struck on August 26, particularly along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors. Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other districts have suffered extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. The disaster followed a sudden surge of water into the Bhote Koshi River, with authorities investigating a possible upstream ice avalanche and temporary damming.
As of September 4, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 1,287 bodies had been recovered, while around 5,083 people remained missing. More than 13,000 people had been rescued, including over 300 foreigners. Search operations were continuing, including inside tunnels where workers were believed to be trapped. Two workers were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project on September 4, offering a rare moment of hope amid the continuing crisis.
The scale of the disaster has also left thousands displaced and damaged essential infrastructure and health services. WHO said around 10,000 households were reported to need immediate relief, while damaged roads and disrupted services have complicated access to healthcare and other essential support.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Alfaz’s act is a reminder that compassion is not determined by age, wealth or the size of a contribution. A child who had been saving coins and notes for himself chose instead to share them with strangers facing an unimaginable crisis across the border.
In moments of disaster, humanitarian solidarity can take many forms. Alfaz’s decision shows how empathy can move beyond borders and inspire people to help simply because they recognise another person’s suffering.
His gesture also reminds us that kindness does not always require grand resources. Sometimes, it begins with choosing to share what little we have.
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