My name is Savera Srivastava, and I am a 14 year old Grade 9 student at Vidyaniketan School, Bengaluru.

Countless students from low-income households in our very own Karnataka lack even the basic necessities they require for their academic experience, such as schoolbags and even footwear! When I heard this statement, I was astounded. It was unimaginable to me, to be expected to study on cold, hard floors, walk to and from school barefoot, and not have a sturdy bag to carry my books. In trying to empathise with their situation, I realised the dire need these students are in.

In India, we have had the Right to Education Act since the year 2009 -- providing free and compulsory access to education for children from the ages 6 to 14. Along with this, we should certainly take care to improve these young students' quality of education, because it is JUST as important. Imagine these children, with bare feet or in tattered shoes. They walk the distance to their school, and face consequences in the form of foot injuries, diseases, and a myriad of other health issues. 9 in 10 children face terrible problems with their posture, eyesight and focus that heavily weigh down upon the learning they do.

We are so fortunate in the position we find ourselves in as students of Vidyaniketan, due to the hard work of our parents and teachers. The very least we can do is help these children make the best of one of the most important things any person, regardless of income, background, or gender can have -- an education. Hence, I have taken up this campaign to help fund back-to-school kits to fight these obstacles in the way of their schooling!

The aforementioned back-to-school kit costs just INR 950, but contains a treasure trove of comfort, safety, and joy for these innocent students. Within the kit, they will find a pair of recycled footwear, a recycled study mat for support and lengthy periods of sitting, and a recycled school bag for their books. This small amount would mean the world to them, helping them every single day. A sum such as INR 2,850...could bring a smile to the faces of 3 struggling students that need your help!

Please do support my campaign in any way you can, be it by sharing or donating to my cause. Let us all chip in, little by little, to create a big difference in the lives of many! This is an investment not only in a back-to-school kit, but in their future.