Niharika, 19, USA
Basic need(s):
Education, Health, Safety
Project:
GUTS (Generation United to Succeed)
Niharika emigrated with her family from Bombay when she was just one year old. Though she first moved to Massachusetts, her family ultimately settled in Shreveport, Louisiana where she would witness something that would change her life forever. “When I was in eighth grade I visited the local YWCA family violence shelter. I was shocked by its dilapidated condition—the dripping ceiling, diminishing supply of canned food, and lack of cleaning supplies.” Unfortunately, this paled in comparison to the story of Miranda, a local toddler who had been beaten to death by her father. It wasn’t until that moment that Niharika even entertained the idea that domestic violence was occurring in her community all around her. Niharika founded “GUTS” (Generation United to Succeed) the following year. The project, a community service organization that empowers high school students to address the key global issues of safety, education, and health, has raised $5,000, collected suitcases, books and cleaning supplies all for the benefit of domestic violence victims. It has also inspired and fostered leadership skills in 1,500 students with, among other things, the “GUTS Summit,” a biannual event where 200 high school students learn about leadership, volunteerism, political topics and America’s alarming school dropout crisis.
