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How did it begin? Well, it didn’t exactly go like “it was a beautiful morning and I woke up on the wrong side of the bed” but it was definitely a wake-up call. I never really intended to establish my own foundation at the age of 14. I've always viewed it as something an old, wealthy person who is sick of their life would do. Nonetheless, here we are.

It started when I signed up for an NGO. On my first visit to the slum, we distributed some rice and curry. It was a lovely experience but, I can’t say that I was helpful. There were 20 other people who could do what I was doing there and let's face the truth, they didn’t need any more people, simply because they had enough.

While everyone was serving food, I was leaning at the wall looking around, lost in my own world of thoughts. But then a few children picked up a diary that was laying on the corner. They made it a mission to know who owned it. I stood there and just stared at them, wondering what was going to happen next. One of them began to read the diary's title as all of them were snatching it out of each other's hands. Others began to make fun of that child and constantly questioned his source of literacy. “Who taught you English”. Another child said, "I have a diary," and other children mocked him for it.

Let's be honest, I never went back to the slum or spoke to anyone from the NGO since I was aware of what I needed to do.  After this small incident took place, it left a void in my brain. Even if they attend school, do they have diaries like these to write in? Do they have enough resources?

I wasn't much help to the NGO but my motivated mind was forced to act towards something else. Since that day, I was invested in the thought of starting my own organization which would work towards helping underprivileged children all around India and educating them while providing them with enough resources. After all, 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 fine morning inspired me, period.

Aditi Gupta 

Founder 

AADI FOUNDATION