Message from the creator

Let's face it; humans are selfish. We care more about personal gain than we do about others and one might even go so far as to say that its gotten even worse after the social media revolution. But in our desire to get to the front of a non-existent race, we've forgotten about the ones that we have left behind. We are so wrapped up in perfecting the little bubble that is our lives that we remain ignorant to the problems others might face in theirs'. I, too, am guilty of this but at the same time, I realise that this is not a life I want to lead or want my children to lead. I don't want to grow up in a world where the 'dog eats dog' catchphrase isn't so catchy anymore, but reality. Nor do I want to grow up in a world where there is a clear division between the privileged and the not so privileged. After all, where you're born isn't determined by you. It's pure chance, with a sprinkle of luck.

At the age of 15, I decided that I had had enough of conforming to the selfish ways of society, so I decided to create Draw The Future. Draw The Future is a non-profit organisation which helps children in India receive the education they deserve. The idea for this charity first stemmed from my trip to India a couple of years ago, where my dad and I had the privilege to visit a slum in Chandigarh (Northern India). There, I met a woman named Pauline who had single-handedly established a school of sorts for the children in the slum. She taught around 70 or so children aged years 3-17 in two small cramped classrooms, with bare concrete floors, limited resources but lots of passion. I knew right then and there that I had to do something to help these people. Coming from a pretty affluent family in India, I knew nothing about the lives of those who didn't have the privileges I did growing up. But after meeting Pauline and the children, I realised that as a fortunate member of society, I had a duty towards those who weren't so fortunate. Thus, Draw The Future was born.

So, why the name Draw The Future? Well, the second time I visited the children in their makeshift school, I met one of the most boisterous and happy people I know. Rashi was a girl of the most genuine sense; she was talkative, lively, independent, and ambitious. I vividly remember her showing me a plethora of her drawings about her dream job, or the ideal house she would like to buy for her family. It was almost like she was drawing her future. I was so inspired by her drive to succeed and her resilient attitude that I decided to name my charity after her. Just like Rashi, this non-profit organisation aims to draw metaphorical pictures of the future for the children of that slum in the form of hope. I strongly believe that by providing monetary help, we are providing hope to the children because they are exposed to the best educative materials India has to offer.

I hope you all sincerely support me in this endeavour for change. Here's a quote from Jane Goodall that perfectly sums up Draw The Future's purpose: "We have the gift of our life to make the world a better place- or to not bother."