Two years ago, a group of students from Chinmaya Mission Pittsburgh began volunteering at The Education Partnership (TEP) as part of their Youth Seva volunteerism requirement. This year, they deepened their impact by co-sponsoring their first school, Carnegie Elementary, through our Adopt-A-School program, using funds raised by these students.
We sat down with three of the students from Chinmaya Mission who led the project, Leela, Nithya, and Harshith, and learned about their transition to the Adopt-A-School program and how they want to leave a lasting legacy on the power of students helping other students.
What made you choose TEP for your mission project?
Leela: We’ve been volunteering since freshman year, and we’re juniors now. We learned through Chinmaya that volunteering is important. It was easy to choose TEP because of the programs and work that’s done. When we first volunteered, we were in the Teacher Resource Center, helping teachers with their carts and helping to organize the supplies. It was amazing seeing how happy the teachers were when they left with full shopping carts. Then we learned about the Adopt-A-School program and knew we wanted to help with that as well.
Nithya: Helping The Education Partnership and volunteering during teacher shopping were easy decisions because everyone was so nice and welcoming. I knew what I was doing was meaningful and appreciated. When we decided to start fundraising for Adopt-A-School, we were already invested in The Education Partnership and helping others.
Harshith: Everyone at TEP is so nice. No matter what, they have a smile on their face. It was encouraging to be helping a place that was so invested and happy to help others, especially teachers. Something that stood out to me is that TEP focuses on creativity. I saw there was a 95% improvement in classroom participation and creativity from students.
Students helping other students is a beautiful narrative. What does it mean to you to have helped other students, and how is your legacy in community service going to continue?
Leela: I am the person I am today because of school and my teachers. I would be touched if another group of students helped me get what I needed to succeed, so it’s nice to know we’re helping others. Everyone needs someone to care about them and look out for their futures, and I’m proud that I can do that for younger students.
There are a lot of younger kids in Chinmaya’s Youth Seva, and I’m proud that something we started will continue. They’re going to keep it going, and we were their role models for volunteering and community service.
Nithya: What we did has an impact on their future, and that means a lot to me. It’s important to learn that what you do actually matters and has an impact on other people’s lives and future.
Younger kids at Youth Seva want to volunteer and are excited to become of age to be out in the community. It’s really cool to see young people wanting to get involved in something that I helped start. They’re learning that even though they can’t go out and help now, they can help within Chinmaya Mission and learn the skills that will help them when they are old enough to come to The Education Partnership.
Harshith: I feel as if I’m helping them become the best version of themselves. Education is important and is a way to lift people up and empower them to be more and do better.. Every successful person has a lot of education and dedication to get them to where they are. Helping The Education Partnership and the students was my way of contributing to their education and futures.
As older students in Youth Seva, it is our responsibility to help and guide the younger students. We help them speak at events, work with others, and build their confidence.
The partnership between Chinmaya and TEP demonstrates that generosity is not about age, but about action. What motivated you to take action and help your community?
Leela: I’ve been at Youth Seva at Chinmaya my whole life. I started volunteering through Sunday school, and now it has turned into a passion. I see what people older than me have done and the differences they’ve made, and now I’m in the position to do the same. This feels like a full circle moment- I started volunteering when I was 14, and now I’m working alongside my friends to raise money for a larger project. It’s exciting that we met our goal this year, and now we can set an even bigger goal and make a bigger difference next year.
Nithya: Chinmaya Mission has been a huge part of my life since I was 4 years old. Through Youth Seva, I’ve learned that you should do whatever you can to help others. Working with my friends is an extra bonus because we had fun while working on a common goal. Students from all three Chinmaya centers helped us, and it was fun to see people I wouldn’t normally see. They also brought their families to help, so it turned out to be a great experience with a large group of people who cared for one another and others.
Harshith: Spiritual leaders have been instrumental in teaching me that my actions truly do have an impact. The way they encouraged me to volunteer more in the community was a reason I wanted to help The Education Partnership and Adopt-A-School. Seeing older people do incredible things inspired me.
Author: The TEP Team
