Tara, 17, United States

Basic need(s):

Education, Shelter, Health, Food

Project:

"H.O.P.E."

When Tara was 13, she founded "H.O.P.E." (Helping Orphans Pursue Education), an organization that works to provide all children—regardless of sex, race or religion—with the opportunity to reach their full potential by meeting their basic human needs, as well as increase youth volunteerism across the globe. "H.O.P.E." has already raised over $15,000 for orphanages in Chennai, India and Kajo Keji, Sudan. With these funds, her organization has built a dormitory for the Indian orphanage and has provided education, uniforms, tuition, health and daily requirements for both orphanages. The project's new Web site, www.aandolan.org, seeks to connect youth in the U.S. to grassroots organizations and projects around the world in order to increase youth activism and social-consciousness.

Photo: Benjamin Quinto