Power of Education by Sonali

Power of Education by Sonali - September 2015 Scholarship Essay

The pounding of drums woke me with a start. I had been lulled to sleep by the three-hour car ride, heat and jet lag as we made our way through rural Western India to a small village in Maharashtra to visit an Ekal Vidyalaya school. I sat up to see where the sound was coming from because drums in India signify a celebration. Was it a wedding? Were dignitaries arriving in the area? As the crowd surrounded our car, I realized our arrival was the cause of this commotion.

Ekal Vidyalaya is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build educational systems in rural areas in India. These villages do not have basic electricity and running water, which makes daily life difficult. Ekal also seeks to empower the village community for its own self-development through teaching them health and sanitation. We had come to this tiny village to visit an Ekal school I have supported from thousands of miles across the ocean.

As we entered the village, we were greeted by smiling faces, and the villagers welcomed us by performing a traditional Indian routine, normally reserved for the arrival of dignitaries. My family and I felt really honored. The hospitality I was receiving from the villagers was heart warming. We saw the joyful faces of the children and how thrilled they were to see "foreigners" visiting their village, which only consisted of 200 people. We were led to a small building where we all sat in a circle, and the children talked to us about what they were learning. I was very excited to see that even though these children did not have basic facilities such as electricity, they were very eager to learn. We had brought the children a little surprise – candies and colored pencils – which they were really happy to see. This was a small gesture that our family could carry out to bring joy to the kids. Before leaving, the villagers presented us with coconuts and a beautifully arranged bouquet – a token of gratitude that I will never forget.

I have been working with the Ekal foundation for the past three years, and I alone have been able to raise $1,500 at different cultural functions. Ekal schools run on a budget of 50 rupees a day (equivalent to $1), so this amount of money can help four schools run for an entire year. This visit gave me a chance to connect with the students, parents, and teachers in those Ekal schools on a personal level. When we talked with the kids, I saw that I learned the exact same things they did at that age. The teachers, who had been educated in these Ekal schools, were giving back to their community.

This unique opportunity was an eye opening one for me, as I had never seen the direct effects of my contributions to an Ekal school. I truly understood what these students and their families went through on a daily basis, and I was greatly inspired by how motivated they were to learn despite the challenges they face. This experience makes me feel proud because I feel that I am raising awareness for a good cause. This amazing trip helped me realize that not everyone is as blessed as I am to have a family and a roof over my head, that there is enormous need in the world, and that my efforts can make a substantial improvement in the quality of life for these children.

After witnessing the power of education firsthand, I even more strongly believe that every child deserves a free education as a basic right, even in places where basic necessities are not fulfilled. I want to continue raising funds for Ekal at the University of San Francisco, because it is my life’s ambition to keep on helping children wherever I go.