A few months back, in school, we took a test to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in our personality. The test results with regard to the top two strengths within my personality immediately resonated with me - (i) a love of learning and (ii) curiosity. On further introspection, I did realise that I had been taking my ability to drive my passion for learning and take further strides to know more for granted. The opportunities I get to pursue my passion and grow and develop as an individual drive me to try and even know more – it is a virtuous circle. This made me then think about the millions who may not getting such opportunities and also discussed this with my family and friends to find out more. It was then that I realised how privileged I was to be where I am. This also prompted me to try and help some of the other children who have not had any such opportunity in whatever small way I could. Every child has their own inherent curiosity and as a society, I think it's our duty to nurture that curiosity through education – furthering the cause of education for children is vital for the overall development of society and helping this cause has since then become one of my goals in life.
I have tried to take up this cause through different channels, including one of my great passions – debating. In debate, we often discuss the education for underprivileged children and it's truly an underrated issue. I believe education is the key to giving these children the ability to fight their way out of poverty. In Year 9, I wrote a persuasive essay on an educational charity. More recently, I spent a week in a remote village in Cambodia to teach under-privileged children. I am keen on exploring all possible avenues available to me to try and alleviate this issue and make as much of an impact as I can. Even if they are small, seemingly insignificant actions in the overall context, every little step counts.
As part of my drive to work for this cause, I decided to go back to my roots in India during the summer of 2018. After living in Hong Kong for 10 years, I felt I had become slightly disillusioned and therefore went back to the town my parents grew up to get a first-hand experience to the kind of education and facilities millions around the world have. My mother connected me with ALIG and that was the beginning of a journey. I spent a few days teaching and playing with the children in some of the most underprivileged areas of the town and this was a real eye-opener for me. I decided to extend my support beyond the days spent at these schools and have taken on this initiative to continue making a contribution in whatever way I can.
I have tried to take up this cause through different channels, including one of my great passions – debating. In debate, we often discuss the education for underprivileged children and it's truly an underrated issue. I believe education is the key to giving these children the ability to fight their way out of poverty. In Year 9, I wrote a persuasive essay on an educational charity. More recently, I spent a week in a remote village in Cambodia to teach under-privileged children. I am keen on exploring all possible avenues available to me to try and alleviate this issue and make as much of an impact as I can. Even if they are small, seemingly insignificant actions in the overall context, every little step counts.
As part of my drive to work for this cause, I decided to go back to my roots in India during the summer of 2018. After living in Hong Kong for 10 years, I felt I had become slightly disillusioned and therefore went back to the town my parents grew up to get a first-hand experience to the kind of education and facilities millions around the world have. My mother connected me with ALIG and that was the beginning of a journey. I spent a few days teaching and playing with the children in some of the most underprivileged areas of the town and this was a real eye-opener for me. I decided to extend my support beyond the days spent at these schools and have taken on this initiative to continue making a contribution in whatever way I can.
