Kolkata Missions

During a formative summer in high school, I volunteered at Mother Teresa’s Children’s Home (Shishu Bhavan) in Kolkata, India, where I cared for children ranging from infants to six-year-olds, many of whom faced significant health challenges or were orphaned. While there, I painted a 50-foot Winnie the Pooh mural and was inspired to launch The Playground Project to transform the children’s unsafe outdoor space. This expanded into Kolkata Missions, a small charitable mission.

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Through KM, I raised funds to rebuild and refurbish the playground, restore equipment, and plant new grass, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the children. The project was completed in 2016, and I later partnered with the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (2017–2019) to continue supporting disadvantaged children in Kolkata. In 2020, KM raised funds to support victims of the Amphan Cyclone. 

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Kolkata Missions concluded its work in 2021, but the experience continues to shape my commitment to meaningful, hands-on service and global engagement.