Hi, I’m Riya, an audit manager by profession and someone deeply committed to community development. I come from a small town in Nepal, raised in a conservative business family, where I was the first female encouraged to pursue a career. At just 11, I was sent to boarding school—a decision driven by my father and uncles, who believed in the power of education despite no one in our family having pursued formal careers before.
Childhood Dreams and Trust in the Process
As a child, I was carefree, never stressed about marks or the future. I simply trusted the process, with my father guiding me along the way. In the boarding school, we would discuss alot about what we want to become when we grow up and I’d say, “Anything that offers dignified money.” Now, I understand that meant earning independence and seeing the world through my own eyes.
Turning a Dream into Reality: Joining WES
Growing up, I dreamed of helping the underprivileged realize they could live life on their own terms. That dream became a reality when I joined WES after seeing a post by a former colleague/mentor/friend/brother. Soon, I found myself in Dhanpuri, advocating education door-to-door. I connected with families whose dreams mirrored my own: fathers investing everything in their children’s future, mothers sacrificing to ensure their kids could focus on learning.
Advocating for Education: Empowering Families in Dhanpuri
During our Community Outreach Program, we emphasized the importance of dreaming a little bigger—encouraging both students and parents to envision possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances.
WES and the SVC Program
The programs at WES resonates with me because it addresses the very challenges I saw growing up. We identify educational gaps and work to solve them. My favorite initiative is the SVC program, which reminds me of how my dad connected me with inspiring individuals to learn from. Here, we do the same—bring in individuals from diverse backgrounds to inspire these kids.
My experience during the community nothing short of transformative. Traveling from Bangalore to Dhanpuri, I expected to encounter families and children desperately awaiting help. In my mind, they were struggling, weighed down by the challenges of their lives. However, the reality I found upon my arrival was a stark contrast to my preconceived notions.
I was greeted by a group of cheerful children, eager to show me around their village. Barefoot and undeterred by the scorching heat of May in Madhya Pradesh, they led me through their homes with a sense of pride. It became clear that while they lacked many material comforts, they were rich in spirit. Conversations with them and the 50-plus families I met revealed a deep sense of contentment, despite the hardships. What moved me most was their unwavering hope and the dreams they held for a brighter future.
In every moment spent with them, I found joy. Listening to the parents share their journeys and the aspirations they held for their children was a profound experience. They worked tirelessly, often sacrificing their own comforts, driven by a singular goal: to give their children the best chance at a better life.
This experience, though it took place in 2022, remains vivid in my memory as 2024 draws to a close. Three children in particular left a lasting impression, and among them was Astha. When I met her, she was in the 6th grade, and I was struck by her resilience and remarkable strength. The eldest of three siblings, Astha’s parents worked in a neighboring village, leaving her to care for her younger siblings.
Her day began at 5 a.m., as she prepared meals on a clay stove, cleaned the house, and got herself and her siblings ready for school. She would drop off her youngest sibling at a neighbor’s house before heading to school. After school, she repeated the same routine for her siblings before attending computer classes in our program. I remember one particular session where the guest teacher asked the class to watch “Excel for Beginners” on YouTube as part of their homework. During my first in-person visit to the class, I noticed Astha diligently taking notes.
Her effort to understand the material was evident. Astha tried her best to follow along, diligently writing down her notes. What touched me most was how she captured what she could in Hindi, using her native language to bridge the gap where English terms were unfamiliar. It was a heartening sight (attaching what she wrote), showing her determination to keep learning despite the hardships.
Another moment that resonated deeply with me was a conversation I had with the grandmother of one of the students, Sakshi (or Shruti). When I asked her why it was so important for her to send her granddaughter to our institute, she replied with a spark of hope in her eyes. She said that she wished her granddaughter could see the world through her own eyes, something she and her daughter-in-law never had the chance to do. Her words struck a chord with me because they mirrored the very motivation that drives me. That shared dream—a better, more empowered future—connected us across generations and circumstances.
We both understood that this dream can only be realized through access to quality education, opportunities for the children, and the freedom to dream big. This shared vision of empowerment reinforced the mission of WES Foundation, which seeks to provide holistic, free opportunities for children who have very few resources. As a result, our commitment only grew stronger. Now, in 2024, we are proud to have established our own school—Dhanpuri Public School—where we focus on the holistic development of these children, nurturing not only their education but also their dreams and aspirations.
A Vision for the Future
I believe WES will continue to provide holistic learning and a platform for quality education. And I’m confident these kids will grow up to be remarkable.
We encourage our students to dream a little bigger, and at WES, we provide them the platform to become anything under the sun and, more importantly, good citizens of the world. As Harriet Tubman once said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”