Upper School Student, Rayna Paramesh runs a School Supply drive for underserved children in Mumbai, India. Paramesh served in tutoring Mumbai’s children in English over the summer and stated that she was “inspired by their enthusiasm to learn,” leading her to bring her project to Walker through a drive in hopes of raising an abundance of supplies to send to the children to support their learning further. She looks for any and all school supplies, including pencils, pens, crayons, binders, etc., fit for students in the Pre-K through 8th grades.

Paramesh’s aunt, a retired school teacher, has served in Mumbai, teaching underprivileged students for the past eight years. She states about the students, “They have often made their way out of the slums, and the parents now work as cleaners, construction workers, food vendors, etc.” to give a perspective as to how these children and families are living. In addition to this, if Rayna’s aunt is paid (little amounts, if any), she uses the money to benefit her program by purchasing school supplies, uniforms, and even tuition for other students to attend the school, and Rayna hopes to build a bridge between Walker and this international cause.

This drive’s results have proved successful, with a full table filled with supplies! Thank you to the Walker community and Rayna Paramesh for this successful drive and for the worldwide support of learners!