The VT Seva Detroit branch is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of its Youth-Led Outreach Project in 2024, which aimed to support the education of students at Nethra Vidyalaya. Through the collective efforts of dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and enthusiastic supporters, the project achieved its ambitious goal of raising substantial funds to empower72+ visually challenged students with quality education and opportunities for a brighter future by raising more than $26,500
3 Months, 42 Youth Team Leads, $26,500+ raised, empowered 72+ Nethra students
Nethra Vidyalaya, renowned for its commitment to educating visually challenged students, has always strived to provide holistic learning experiences. VT Seva Detroit’s Outreach Project focused on ensuring these students have access to the resources and support they need to excel academically and personally.
One of the most inspiring aspects of this initiative was the active involvement of youth volunteers. While supporting the Outreach Project, the youth had the opportunity to significantly enhance their communication skills by engaging with diverse audiences, advocating for the cause, and sharing the impact of their work.
They also learned to handle rejections with resilience, turning challenges into valuable learning experiences. These moments of perseverance helped shape them into empathetic leaders—the kind of leaders the world desperately needs. Their journey of growth and self-discovery was as impactful as the outcomes of the project itself, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved
These are our youth leaders who participated in this project:
Oviya Jaisankar, Sai Sriram Karnati, Sathvik Thirumalakanduri, Bhavita Sagi, Shruthi Adduri, Anirvin Ramanan, Adhip Pisipati, Sneha Donepudi, Swara Rege, Sreenika Perumalla, Samriddhi Pathak, Kaustubh Dingari, Pierce Dzanbazoff, Bhagya Shetty, Sanyog Iyengar, Arya Patel, Kushi Kanumuri, Alicia Ramos-Versescu, Harini Kopparapu, Rathneeswar Balamurugan, Aanya Das, Abhiram Mudeganti, Advithi Kothapalli, Akul Madamshetty, Ritvija Mahabhashyam, Shreya Shetty, Lillian Applebaum, Shivani Nimmagadda, Anvika Perumalla, Pranavi Annavarapu, Avantika Nair, Riya Bagri, Himanish Pasula, Varshan Muhinthan, Shipra Valli, RoboKnights FTC Team, Deekshita Chittala, Jennah Najor, Andrea Zou, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Hiba Zyna and Izyan Zunair
Reflections:
Oviya Jaisankar: (supported 13+ students)
Every year, I look forward to the Outreach project because it lets me directly help the people that need it most and gives me an opportunity to enhance my communication skills and become a more caring person. This is my 5th year participating in this project. Raising these funds empowers the students of Nethra Vidyalaya in so many ways, and I love being a part of the efforts. This year, I was able to raise funds for over 13 students' education for one year and I hope to do even more next year! Thanks to VT Seva for this wonderful opportunity!
Sai Sriram Karnati: (supported 11+ students)
From the Outreach project, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and pride. Each dollar represents a commitment from someone who believes in the cause as much as I do. The journey taught me a lot about the power of community and the importance of perseverance. There were definitely challenges along the way, but seeing people come together to support a common goal made it all worthwhile. It reinforced the idea that when we pool our resources and efforts, we can create meaningful change. Thank you VT Seva for once again giving me a chance to spread awareness of the cause.
Youths supported 3+ students:
Sathvik Thirumalakanduri, Bhavita Sagi, Shruthi Adduri, Anirvin Ramanan
Bhavita Sagi:
Collecting $1,220 for kids who are blind and can’t access education was honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done. It showed me how much even a little effort can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Throughout this process, I felt a mix of emotions—hope, excitement, and sometimes worry about whether I could actually raise enough. But seeing how many people cared and wanted to help reminded me that we’re all capable of making an impact when we come together.
Knowing that this money will help give these kids a chance to learn and grow means so much to me. It made me realize how lucky we are to have opportunities that not everyone gets. I’m just really grateful for everyone who supported this cause and helped make it possible. This is something I’ll always remember.
Shruthi Adduri:
My favorite part of outreach is being able to help out the Nethra students and the self reward I feel when the donation come in!
Anirvin Ramanan:
Participating in the outreach this year was an amazing opportunity for me to step up and support students. I was able to pull donations that landed me over 1100 to support 3 students for a year.
Youths supported 2+ students:
Adhip Pisipati, Sneha Donepudi, Swara Rege, Sreenika Perumalla
Adhip Pisipati:
Overall this was a great experience because I was able to use my public speaking and marketing skills to get people to donate to such a great cause. More importantly I was very satisfied that I was able to help raise the money, and this was a very fulfilling experience.
Sneha Donepudi:
My experience with the VT Seva Nethra Vidyalaya project has been nothing short of exceptional. Throughout the course of this fundraiser, I’ve had the joy of experiencing milestone after milestone in our fundraising goals while hearing about the achievements our Nethra students. The stories I’ve heard about their accomplishments in the face the impossible physical challenges they had to face pushed me even harder to achieve my goal! I am very grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to participate in such a wonderful program with such an important mission. I’m proud to say that I’m even more overjoyed that the seemingly endless string of donation-gathering calls and emails went to support this amazing cause, VT Seva Nethra Vidyalaya project.
Swara Rege:
This is my second year participating in the VT Seva Outreach to support Nethra Vidyalaya. Although, I wasn’t able to devote as much time as last year, I am really happy and proud to have been able to raise funds to support free education for a year for 2 Nethra Vidyalaya students through this initiative. I look forward to participating in this event every year.
Thank you VT Seva for the opportunity!
Sreenika Perumalla:
Outreach was a great opportunity for me to improve my social and leadership skills while still giving back to my community. This fundraiser helped open my eyes about how fortunate many of us are and pushed me to want to help the kids in Nethravidyalaya more. Although getting donations was not the easiest, even the smallest donations made me feel happy for the cause I was supporting.
Youth Team Leads supported 1+ student:
Sanyog Iyengar, Samriddhi Pathak, Kaustubh Dingari, Pierce Dzanbazoff, Harini Kopparapu, Bhagya Shetty, Arya Patel, Kushi Kanumuri, Alicia Ramos-Versescu, Rathneeswar Balamurugan, Aanya Das, Abhiram Mudeganti, Advithi Kothapalli, Akul Madamshetty, Ritvija Mahabhashyam & Shreya Shetty
Samriddhi Pathak:
My first time raising money for the poor and visually challenged students of the Nethra Vidyalaya and Jeeyar Gurukulam schools was a really valuable and eye opening experience. I got important practice with expressing my ideas concisely and thoroughly to people when telling them about the profound impact donating to this amazing cause would have on not just these children, but humanity as a whole ❤️ It was a great opportunity to be a part of this fundraiser, leaving me warm inside knowing the money I raised genuinely bettered a kids' life.
Kaustubh Dingari:
The outreach event was very enjoyable and allowed me to interact with more people outside of VTS and family members. One challenge faced was finding people who were interested in donating towards the cause. Most people who are walking around, usually will avoid people asking for donations as they have no interest so finding people who are interested greatly helped us and me to find more donations. Overall, this was a fun project and I am looking forward to participating again next year.
Kushi Kanumuri:
My name is Kushi Kanumuri, and I had a wonderful experience participating in the 2024 Outreach Program. This opportunity allowed me to learn a great deal. Through engaging with new people, I significantly improved my communication skills. Additionally, I learned to handle rejection more effectively, as many individuals did not contribute to the cause. The program also helped me utilize and enhance my leadership abilities. The Outreach Program supported the students of Netra in receiving the education they deserve. While informing potential donors, I gained a deeper understanding of the Netra students and their impressive skills. This experience has given me a newfound appreciation for these young individuals who persevere despite their challenges. Overall, the Outreach Program has been tremendously beneficial. I learned many new skills and experienced growth in areas where I was previously weaker. Most significantly, I was able to contribute to helping these wonderful students. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to participating again next year.
Alicia Ramos-Versescu:
VT Seva has given me such an amazing opportunity to look at life through a different lens. Each donation I’ve received had always came from a person who was thankful for an organization like VT Seva who uses this money for the better. I’m so thankful for the opportunity of being a part of such an amazing organization and can’t wait for the future.
Aanya Das:
I am Aanya Das, I have had a wonderful experience sending out and raising awareness on the visually challenged kids and their educational needs in Nitralaya Vidyalaya. I enjoyed raising donations for their educational needs and betterment of knowledge. This was a wonderful experience being apart of the outreach program. I hope their education improves and they grow with a good knowledge base! I learned about VT Seva through my cousin. I have done this once before, and I’m incredibly glad to have contributed to this cause. I’m grateful to have people around me who can donate to a good cause. I
really hope I can do this again and get donations from more people and reach out more. This has been a great experience and I can’t wait to help again for the next fundraiser!
Pierce Dzanbazoff:
The Outreach Project was a meaningful experience that helped me grow as a person while supporting a cause I care about. The goal was to raise funds to provide educational resources for underprivileged and visually impaired children, and while the process had its challenges, it also taught me valuable lessons about leadership and communication. One of the most impactful moments was when my workplace, Wiard's Orchard, generously donated $200 to the fundraiser. Their contribution was not only a significant boost to my total, crossing the amount needed to fund one child's education, but also a reminder of how important delivering an inspiring message is in the project. It felt rewarding to see my connections make a difference, and it motivated me to keep pushing forward. This project also helped me become more confident in taking initiative. I had to step out of my comfort zone to ask for support and explain the importance of the fundraiser. These experiences have made me more comfortable in leadership roles and have given me skills I know will be useful in future projects. Looking back, the most rewarding part wasn’t just seeing the final amount raised, but knowing that those funds would directly benefit the Nethra children who need them. It made me appreciate the opportunities I have and reminded me of the importance of giving back. I am proud of what I accomplished, and I will aim higher next year!
Arya Patel:
I have learned so much from this experience. It’s helped we communicate and network with people I never thought I would interact with. Even though this experience was primarily to raise money for kids in India, it has had an everlasting impact on me. Overall, I am grateful I was involved in outreach this year!!
Ritvija Mahabhashyam:
I learned about VT Seva through my cousin. I have done this once before, and I’m incredibly glad to have contributed to this cause. I’m grateful to have people around me who can donate to a good cause. I really hope I can do this again and get donations from more people and reach out more. This has been a great experience and I can’t wait to help again for the next fundraiser!
Abhiram Mudeganti:
The outreach project allowed us to not only promote awareness but also raise funds for a valuable cause. Each donation can and will make a difference in another child's life. I am grateful for the opportunity to be raising funds and promoting awareness for this cause
Shreya Shetty:
This was my second year being a part of the outreach program and I truly loved the experience and what it taught me. It allowed me to directly support the Nethra Vidyalaya students, and I am looking forward to participating again!
Advithi Kothpalli:
Participating in the outreach program in order to raise funds for visually impaired children was an amazing experience. It allowed me to reach out to many people, and practice networking, while also working to raise money for a great cause. It felt great to receive support for others and showed me how small efforts could make a big difference.
Rathneeswar Balamurugan:
Helping with VT Seva’s outreach fundraisers gives me a deep sense of proudness. Raising money for this projects which supports children who are blind or handicapped shows how even small contributions can make a big impact. I enjoy working with other volunteers who share the same passion, interest, and it motivates me to do help out and volunteer more. These fundraisers remind me how lucky I am and how much we can achieve when we come together to support those in need. It’s rewarding to know that our efforts can truly change the lives of the students and their education.
Harini Kopparapu:
Working with VT Seva was very rewarding. Helping gather funds for education and healthcare projects around the world made me realize how much of the difference we can make. Seeing people‘s generosity was inspiring, and working with other volunteers showed me how helpful teamwork is. It taught me that even small efforts can lead to big changes overall it made me feel proud to contribute to something so meaningful.
Bhagya Shetty:
It was really nice getting to work for such a great cause and also inspiring. I loved seeing how we made an impact on these kids and will definitely be participating next year!
Sanyog Iyengar:
This outreach project for the Nethra students allowed me to realize how intelligent and bright these Nethra students are, and how much they can accomplish given the proper tools
Youths fulfilled the minimum requirements:
Lillian Applebaum, Shivani Nimmagadda, Anvika Perumalla, Pranavi Annavarapu, Avantika Nair, Riya Bagri, Himanish Pasula, Varshan Muhinthan, RoboKnights FTC Team, Deekshita Chittala, Jennah Najor, Andrea Zou, Aditi Jethri Kompally, Hiba Zyna, Izyan Zunair, Shipra Valli
Lillian Applebaum:
This outreach taught me how important education is and how lucky everyone who has access to schooling is.
Shivani Nimmagadda:
I really enjoyed the outreach event by Vt Seva. I was able to improve my communication skills and understand the importance of supporting a good cause.
Anvika Perumalla:
The Annual Outreach Project is a small way for us to get involved and help out students at a disadvantage compared to us. Every small contribution we make truly makes a large difference in another childs life. The money goes towards all the resources that we students get at relative ease here displaying just how important the money we donate is. I am so glad to have the opportunity to participate in this project every year and get others in my community connected and inspired to participate as well.’
Pranavi Annavarapu:
Reading about this cause and raising funds for these children has been such an amazing and inspiring experience. I loved having this opportunity to help out in any way that I can for our community. it’s incredible what we have been able to accomplish. I’d like to thank VT Seva for giving us this chance to support these children and to raise awareness about them to our own communities. this has been a very insightful experience/journey. thank u very much!!
Avantika Nair:
Taking part in the Outreach Program this year was truly an amazing experience! I got a lot of exposure talking to people and informing them about our cause and why it’s important. I really enjoyed collecting donations, supporting children at the Nethra Vidyalaya students, and making a real, positive change in their lives! I loved working with fellow team members to brainstorm ideas to collect donations. I also really enjoyed connecting with people to teaching them about our amazing organization! Overall, it was a really positive experience and one I hope to do again next year!
Riya Bagri:
Participating in the VT Seva fundraising project was a rewarding experience. Raising around $200 gave me a sense of accomplishment and showed me the power of community support. It was an opportunity to develop my skills while contributing to a meaningful cause. This experience reinforced my belief in the impact of collective efforts and has inspired me to get involved in future initiatives.
Himanish Pasula:
My 2024 Outreach went better than I expected! Starting off, I believed that raising $100+ would be a difficult number to reach. After attempting to have my friends support the cause, not receiving and donations helped me realize that asking my parents to help me would be the smartest next step. Many of my parent’s friends supported outreach leading me to my final amount raised: $170. My 2024 Outreach went well because I was able to receive a positive first glance at how outreach works. In my following years I hope to raise more and more money because I now have more ideas on who to contact and how to talk to supporters to persuade them.
Varshan Muhinthan:
the struggle that underprivileged children in rural places in India face regarding such opportunities. However, this Outreach program has not just allowed me to better understand the impact of Nethra Vidyalaya schools, but also indirectly provide children with opportunities reminiscent of what we are graced with here.
RoboKnights FTC Team:
We are proud to support VT Seva in their mission to make a positive impact in the world.
Through this initiative, we have gained valuable insights about the power of coming together to help others and the importance of giving back to the community.
Supporting this cause has taught us that even as kids, we can make a difference.
It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about spreading awareness and standing up for what matters.
This journey has also brought us closer as a team. It reminds us that robotics is not just about building and coding—it’s about building a better world through collaboration, compassion, and action. We hope our efforts inspire others to support VT Seva’s mission and to take steps, big or small, toward making a difference.
Thank you, VT Seva, for empowering youth like us to be the changemakers.
Deekshita Chittala:
Outreach helped me realize how important school is for all children regardless of their conditions; everyone deserves an education. I was able to raise $125 to support these children through my parents and through family friends. In upcoming years, I hope to raise more money to donate for children’s education as I now have experience from doing it once. Overall, this project has made me feel really happy because I was able to help someone in need.
Jennah Najor:
During this project, I realized how much every dollar counts for the students in India. I learned that, in my experience, it was harder to raise money, but I still tried my best. Through my experience this year, I have learned how I can be better next year, and can’t wait to!
Andrea Zou:
The outreach program was the first initiative I took part through VT Seva. It was a really empowering experience. Through reaching out to potential donors and working with fellow VT Seva members, I’ve truly realized the impact that we can have on the world if we work together. It was an opportunity for me to directly support the education of students who needed it. It was amazing to be able to see and support their potential, as they kept on making one achievement after another. Their achievements have also motivated me to grow, to push beyond the limitations I might have set upon myself. I am so grateful to have been a part of this program, and can’t wait to see how much more impact we can bring next year.
Aditi Jethri Kompally:
This year, outreach allowed me to connect with the community and share the causes that VT SEVA supports. Engaging directly through various programs allowed me to see firsthand the real impact of our efforts. Being part of this work has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Working alongside such a dedicated team of volunteers inspired me, and the gratitude we received from those we helped reminded me of the true importance of giving back. This experience not only deepened my sense of community but also strengthened my passion for continuing this mission in the future.
Hiba Zyna:
Being part of VT Seva's outreach project was an incredibly meaningful experience. Supporting blind children in India through education gave me a deeper appreciation for compassion and the power of giving back.
Organizing fundraisers and spreading awareness helped me grow as a leader and team player. Seeing the real difference our efforts made in these children's lives was truly rewarding.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity and am excited to continue contributing to meaningful causes like this in the future.
Shipra Valli:
Raising support for VT Seva blind students in Nethra Vidyalaya was an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Knowing that my efforts could contribute to the education and opportunities of these students was deeply fulfilling. It made me realize how impactful even small acts of kindness can be. This experience wasn’t just about helping others—it also gave me a sense of purpose and gratitude. It reminded me that when we take the time to give back, we not only make a difference in someone else’s life but also grow as individuals.
Priya Jaisankar:
The past five years as an outreach project lead for VT Seva Detroit have been a profoundly rewarding journey of service, collaboration, and growth. Looking back, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need while working alongside an incredible team of dedicated volunteers and passionate youth leads. Year over year, our youths are increasing the bar to support more Nethra students. I’m deeply thankful for the trust and support we’ve received from the parents and donors. I’m so humbled to read all the reflections from our youth leads to see how much passionate they were and how much they learnt from this project. This is not just a fundraising project, this is a leadership project where they get to reach out to people, build network, enhance their communication skill, grow their empathy, learn to handle rejections, and become a great leader. Once again so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey.
Article Written By: Priya Jaisankar