Most students in privileged areas would not give a second thought about having an education, and some even take it for granted. For some children, this is not the case.
Basic education aid has raised 13 percent between 2015 and 2016, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This is a result of educational funding programs, organizations, and more.
This is exactly what the Changing Lives Club is trying to accomplish. The goal of the club is to help disadvantaged children get an education to flourish in today’s competitive society.
The club officers work with organizations that help children in the Bay Area and outward to get an education.
This includes participating in and hosting book drives and teaching children how to read.
“We work with organizations in the Bay Area that reach to other parts in the U.S. and to other countries. It will take a while to reach everywhere, but that is what our club is for,” said Varsha Raj, a sophomore and president of the club.
There are various reasons that children do not enroll in education or drop out. Many children in other countries have to drop out of school to help support families and work.
Sarga Nair, a sophomore and vice president of the club, said, “[Dropouts] sacrifice education to work. Through promoting education, we want to reduce physical labor [in developing countries].”
Changing Lives Club offers a different type of community service. It allows members to have a greater, more personal connection with their surrounding environment. By joining the Changing Lives Club, members are guaranteed to get more out of community service than expected.
Both leaders have a passion for community service and a drive to change people’s lives and give them a better future through education. They wish to spread this passion to others and encourage them to do the same.
“Joining our club is a way to help out the community and feel satisfied that you helped out somebody else that needs it. If you join, you have to have an incentive to help somebody else,” Raj said.
Although there is a way to go, every effort and movement helps to bring education for underprivileged children all around the world.
“We’re just trying to give them hope and encourage them to get an education to be successful in today’s society,” Raj said.
