COVID-19 has taken the whole world by a storm. Social, mental, and economical life has taken a toll as beings are more disconnected than ever. However, what is currently in the uprising between users? Technology. Being in this digital age, technology is connecting socially while assisting in our daily lives physical distancing is encouraged. Education, jobs, entertainment and many others have now all become virtual. Nevertheless, how can we look at technology in a new light? A light that allows us to help other people that are disadvantaged as schools and many other institutes are now closed. Arushi Aggarwal has taken a step towards connecting underserved students virtually by providing them with the education they deserve in a time where these resources are limited.
Life in modern cities is nothing like that in south Bihar, an impoverished state in India that borders Nepal. Nonetheless, Arushi Aggarwal, a sophomore at West Windsor Plainsboro High School South, is passionate about expanding the horizons and improving the lives of young people in the densely-populated India state that recently ranked 19 out of 20 in educational quality.
Arushi, 15, is an active supporter of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals initiative and is involved with projects to boost goals 4, 8, and 10. In fact, she founded an international nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a way to further expand awareness of quality education for all. In addition to her rigorous academic workload, Arushi makes time during the week to teach a two-hour class via Skype to young people of varying ages who participate in Lahanti Club, a youth collective located in South Bihar. The Club has created learning centers in villages without schools or operates within government schools where they are available.
In the end, why do initiatives and volunteerism have to come to a halt. Taking advantage of the situation in order to provide the care and education that other people that are suffering at a loss should be a main priority. Rather than remaining in the loss, how can we turn this around? How can we take platforms that already exist and we use in our daily lives to help make others’ lives better? Arushi Aggarwal is set out to do just that.
Although spirits are high, conditions are far less than ideal. Lahanti Club needs just about everything. That is why Arushi has set up a GoFundMe page to purchase supplies such as tables, chairs, laptops, cameras, books, and more. So far she has taught more than 300+ and raised $1500+ from donations including computers and webcams. This has led to the opening of 4 digital learning centers and sports for the kids to grow and reach their full potential. Go fund me page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/arushi
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