Siddharth, 15, India

Basic need(s):

Education, Water, Health

Project:

“AASHA”

The area near Siddharth's house is full of uneducated children who live in very poor and unhygienic conditions, with limited sanitation facilities and water taps for the large community. One day, Siddharth decided to sit with the uneducated children and give them old books and comic books, but he learned that the children could not read. Because of this experience, Siddharth began “Aasha” (Hindi for “hope”), which builds peace and abolishes poverty among the poor and uneducated in neglected areas of India by providing them with education and sanitation facilities. Through his work, he has convinced many to attend school, and the community now has access to eight water taps and four mobile toilets. Siddharth believes that if he can establish education and sanitation facilities in poor communities, then the children will be better able to contribute to the world, thus establishing peace and harmony.

Photo: Benjamin Quinto