While volunteering with a grassroots organisation in Mumbai, I worked with children who, unable to
access formal schooling, attended lessons held in a local church. Despite the modest setting, their
eagerness to learn was undeniable, and I was committed to helping them build foundational literacy
and numeracy skills.
During my time there, I noticed that many of the children lacked access to even the most basic
hygiene items - such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and face towels. In response, I coordinated the
donation and distribution of essential hygiene kits to support their well-being beyond the
classroom.
I returned the following summer to continue teaching and expand the initiative. This early
experience opened my eyes to the intersection of education and dignity, and it has remained a
defining influence in my ongoing efforts to reduce inequality and contribute meaningfully to
underserved communities.
