Ishaan Patel has launched Plantingpencils.org.
AB Wire
Ishaan Patel, a 13-year-old Indian American in 8th grade of Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut, has got a head start in philanthropy: Patel has launched Planting Pencils (plantingpencils.org) a non-profit organization dedicated to donating money and supplies to underfunded schools, to promote education and empower children around the globe.
Ishaan Patel is the son of a Southington pediatrician, Dr. Alpa Patel, who was interviewed by the Hartford Courant, and quoted as saying that she instilled the sense of giving in her son, as she herself was raised with a deep seated belief: “If we’re doing well, then we should take care of those less fortunate than us.”
Ishaan Patel explained to the Courant that he was encouraged to start the nonprofit venture after visits by his aunt to volunteer at some under-funded schools in India and Costa Rica.
“We have all this stuff here, all this technology like smart boards, and they only have one chalkboard,” says Ishaan, referencing the schools his aunt visited.
Troubled by this, Ishaan began researching the status of education in underserved countries after attending a leadership program at Stanford University last summer. He created a YouTube video with information from organizations such as the United Nations, reported the Courant.
“There’s only 2 percent of humanitarian aid going to education,” said Alpa Patel. “Everyone is so focused on trying to make sure people have clean water and food, but they’re not teaching them to be self-sufficient.”
Utilizing collection boxes at his school, Ishaan has already gathered countless school supplies. He has also received monetary donations totaling $5,000.
“This last Christmas, he sent an email to all of the family and asked them to please not buy him a gift and, instead, to donate,” says Alpa.
Soon, he will begin to distribute the goods to schools across the globe and right here in Connecticut.
“Just in the U.S., over 20 million kids don’t have access to internet or computers, and that puts them at a big disadvantage,” says Ishaan, noting that he accepts used tablets and computers to give to students in cities like Hartford and Waterbury.
Ultimately, Ishaan would like to build a school where there isn’t one in a community overseas. He would offer daily healthy meals, along with clean water for drinking and washing to encourage families to educate kids, reported the Courant.