I'm Aditi Gupta, a 16-year-old with a passion for poetry, photography, golf, squash, and pottery. Beyond my hobbies, I have a heartfelt dedication to social work, especially when it comes to supporting and uplifting children.

How did it all begin? It wasn’t one of those clichéd moments where I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but it was certainly a wake-up call. Establishing my own foundation at 14 was never the plan. I used to think of foundations as something established by wealthy, old man seeking purpose. Yet, life had other plans.

It all started when I volunteered at an NGO. On my first visit to a slum, we distributed rice and curry. While the experience was heartwarming, I couldn't shake the feeling that my presence wasn’t particularly impactful. With 20 other volunteers doing the same tasks, it seemed like the NGO already had enough hands on deck.

While others served food, I leaned against a wall, observing. My thoughts were soon interrupted by a group of children who had found a discarded diary. They were determined to figure out its owner. One boy attempted to read the title aloud while the others teased him.

“Tereko English kisne sikhai?” they taunted, questioning how he had learned English. Another child proudly claimed to have a diary too, only to be met with laughter.

That moment stayed with me. I never returned to the slum or contacted the NGO again. It wasn’t because I was discouraged but because I knew exactly what I needed to do. The incident ignited a lingering thought: even if these children had access to schools, did they have notebooks to write in? Were they given the necessary resources to learn?

Realizing I could make a difference, I resolved to establish my own organization. The Aadi Foundation was born from the belief that every child deserves an education and the resources to thrive. As Malcolm X said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” The children I met that day inspired me—plain and simple.

Today, the Aadi Foundation brings joy to children. We are a reason for their smiles and a stepping stone to their future. Our goal is to uplift the underprivileged and give them a voice. Through collective efforts, children are now helping other children. Together, we are building a network of support, an unbreakable bond, and a movement for the next generation. We lean on each other, united in our mission to create lasting change.