In 2021, the Newman Global Initiative demonstrated the extraordinary power of youth-led philanthropy by funding an entire academic year of textbooks for Shanti Bhavan. Driven primarily by dedicated high school student volunteers who organized bake sales, peer-to-peer donation campaigns, and community awareness events, the team successfully raised over $7,000 USD to cover these vital educational materials.
Located in Tamil Nadu, India, Shanti Bhavan is a transformative residential school and nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Dr. Abraham George. Its core mission is to provide world-class education and holistic development opportunities to children from the most impoverished backgrounds, primarily those belonging to the Dalit community.
Shanti Bhavan offers a rigorous curriculum that extends far beyond traditional academics, deeply integrating character development, practical life skills, and rich extracurricular activities. By investing in these students, the school aims to break the entrenched cycle of generational poverty, equipping young learners with the knowledge, resilience, and confidence needed to pursue higher education and secure meaningful careers. Through grassroots enthusiasm and relentless dedication, our student volunteers are proud to support this global mission, proving that young minds can cross oceans to help create lasting, equitable opportunities for children everywhere.