One of the things I never took for granted was growing up in a family where my needs were always met. Still, the inequity that was the hallmark of much of India was a brutal reminder that not all people had the same chances. It is still very clear to me when, as a young adult, I witnessed kids of my own age not only hamper access to education but also carry on with such responsibilities that were out of line with their youth

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The truth is, education is not only a privilege but the basic right of every child. This understanding led me to The Naz Foundation (India) Trust, where I have been volunteering since. The Naz Foundation is a New Delhi NGO that works with HIV-positive children and other such communities that are at risk of. Since 2020, I have been teaching English and Math to 20+ children from the Care Home of the NGO, where most of them have lost their parents to HIV or are already deprived, for over 300 hours. I also engaged the youth in the social activities organizing quizzes, games, and story sessions, which also include reading from my self-published novella Pieces to Victory to garner confidence, curiosity, and resilience.

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As a volunteer at Naz, I was there to witness the struggle of HIV-positive kids. The stigma, the inaccessibility of the necessary educational resources, and the emotional fragility. These were some of the things the NGO had to confront every day. However, over the years, I have seen the power of education and care to transform lives: the previously shy kids now admitted to be bright, curious, and enthusiastic learners. I grew up with them and realized that making a significant impact does not mean that one has to touch the lives of millions, but it is more about creating lasting change in the lives of those we directly interact with.