My story begins in a small village in the countryside in the Pune district. Although I only spent a small part of my life there, that place has indelibly shaped me. I was adopted at almost three by a family in the Netherlands and grew up with opportunities that came naturally to me. But the echoes of my native country, with its rich culture and complex challenges, have never left me.

As I grew older, I needed to explore the connections to my roots. As a young adult, a trip back to India opened my eyes to the harsh reality many children face there. Not only in my visits to India but in the trips I have made to various countries in Asia and Africa, I have seen the conditions in which underprivileged children live. I have had the opportunity to experience the difference in how valuable a helping hand can be in the lives of underprivileged children. My experiences have strengthened my motivation to help other children with little to no access to personal growth.

In recent years, I have been able to contribute with tireless dedication to creating opportunities for underprivileged children. The commitment of the parties involved and the current parties touches and inspires me through their enthusiasm, positivity, and creativity. Every interaction with the stakeholders evokes a different and richer perspective. The knowledge I gain from the children and all parties involved enriches my life. We help and teach each other equally to build strong relationships, have fun and achieve each other’s goals and dreams. I see similarities and differences; what can we learn from each other to strengthen each other? With this rich experience, I will now continue because, as a collective, we can help these children.

As a collective, I want to continue this journey because together, we can bring even more light into the lives of these special children.

Let’s continue to believe together in the power of sport and education and in the possibility of positively impacting the world of these underprivileged children. Collectively, we can be an inspiration to others to do the same and create a wave of change far beyond what we could have ever imagined.

Modini Kakade