By Aanya Shah | Fundraiser & Project Leader
From as far back as I can remember, I have been intrigued by individuals that make a positive impact on the world and leave behind footsteps that mattered. During trips back to my ancestral home in India, I have seen the glorious things that human beings can build, and the awe that religious devotion can promote, but also the kind of poverty that breaks the heart. Every young person understands that the world is not perfect, but I never thought I could do something measurable to heal some part of our world.
As I grew up, I started learning what it really means to have a lasting impact. To have a lasting impact on society requires action, passion, and collaboration. Human beings have so much vision: we can see how to build a better house or travel to the moon, but when we think about curing world hunger or child injustice, our minds cannot conceive of an answer because the problem is so overwhelming. In an effort to ameliorate these global issues, I began working with the OSCAR Foundation as a young ambassador and founded the International Young Leaders Council, a diverse group of avid high school students dedicated to raising funds and awareness for global issues.
After many small fundraisers as well as a trip to India where I visited OSCAR, I realized that there was still more to be done. I began outlining a plan for bringing an entire soccer team from OSCAR to the U.S. for a week of tournaments and fundraising. I proposed to use the additional campus of my school, the Pingry School, to provide accommodations for the teens. Given the various “insurance issues” and “budget problems,” however, my idea was initially turned down by the school administration. Not to be deterred this time, I ironed out the details for raising over $20,000 and met with the Headmaster of my school to get the initiative approved!
I did it because I believe in the power of education and sports to transform lives. The OSCAR Foundation allows underprivileged children to become role models in their communities, and I wanted to support their mission by launching a youth council to raise visibility for the organization. When we started working on the leadership program for the talented soccer players at OSCAR, I knew it was a chance to make an even more significant impact. Despite the challenges we faced with the visa delay, I remained committed to making this opportunity a reality for these children by sending a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Mumbai and contacting Senator Booker for his support.
Six students from the Mumbai slums were granted the opportunity of a lifetime when they boarded an aircraft for the first time and arrived in New Jersey. They spent a week in America filled with lots of soccer, sightseeing, and leadership development. From staying at the Pottersville Campus of the Pingry School to visiting the Statue of Liberty and playing soccer with NJIT’s D1 Men’s soccer team, these students experienced life outside their community and country for the first time.
Throughout my entire experience, I have learned the value of grit and ambition but also the power of kindness. On one of the days, we held a fireside chat in Edison, NJ where we interviewed the founder of the OSCAR Foundation, Ashok, as well as the six kids. At the end of the conversation, a family we had never even met before came up to us and gave each child some pocket money to spend on gifts for their family. This random act of kindness prompted me to believe that there is a sense of goodness inherent in us all should we choose to display it.
The project not only transformed the lives of these six students but also touched numerous communities. They became a source of inspiration for the Pingry community and New Jersey’s South Asian community. Moreover, they returned to India equipped with newfound knowledge and experiences to share within their own communities. Through determination and perseverance, I have embarked on a pathway to create the lasting impact I envisioned. This journey has taught me the value of grit, ambition, and the incredible potential that lies within each of us to make a difference.
By Aanya Shah
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