Kemps Landing/Old Donation School eighth-grade student Sai Senthilkumar is already making summer plans: a trip to India.
But this is not an ordinary family vacation—in fact it’s not a vacation at all. Although he’s been to India many times, this trip is different. Senthilkumar was recently named the grand prize winner in a global competition to change the world.
With more than 34,000 votes cast online worldwide amongst 800 ideas, a project to help curb childhood obesity in India developed by Senthilkumar emerged as the grand prize winner in the American Field Study (AFS) Project Change grant. AFS is a leader in intercultural learning and international exchange programs in more than 40 countries for 65 years. Now, the organization is hosting a competition to inspire students to share their visions for global change.
Senthilkumar’s project centered on increasing awareness about childhood obesity.
“My parents have consistently reminded me how fortunate we are to live a life of abundance while many children in India go to sleep hungry,” Senthilkumar shared.
At the same time, during his family’s recent visits to India, Senthilkumar has also observed the other end of the spectrum: obesity in children. Senthilkumar’s proposal was to use the country’s two major communication channels—social media and schools—to increase awareness about factors that contribute to obesity, including lack of exercise, unhealthy food choices and excessive electronics usage. His goal is to curb the negative impact that obesity can have on individuals and India’s future workforce if a change does not happen.
As the grand prize winner, Senthilkumar—accompanied by AFS and 10 other student finalists—will bring his project to life by traveling to India for two weeks this summer where they will perform a play about proper nutrition and visit underprivileged communities to help increase awareness.
“I know I can’t make a world change in two weeks but at least I can plant the seed for change and perhaps after I leave see the government doing more and the community doing more to raise awareness of obesity and taking steps to keep it from happening.”
So proud of this young man. He is an inspiration for all. If a 14 year old young man can identify a global issue, create a solution and put his plan into action to make a difference in the world, what could you do?
great thoughts sai…
wish u all the best for ur great
success
here we all ready to help u in any cause for ur step…
by ur sweet family members…
Mr.Sai 14 Year youngster told that he can’t change the World in Two weeks, IT CAN ALSO POSSIBLE IF EACH & EVERY 14 YEAR YOUNH TERMS UNITE ANY GLOBAL ISSUE WILL BE GIVEN AN ATTENTION BY GOVERNMENT’S OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. SO TIME IS NOT THE CRITERIA I HOPE! !!! HATS OF TO THE YOUNGMAN WITH +VERY THOUGHTS.