In a heartwarming display of global compassion, two Saddle River Day School seniors have embarked on a remarkable three-year journey to support orphans in India. Through their student chapter of the HELP Foundation, Devraj Dhupar and Sahil Polepalle have raised an astounding $49,000 to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.

Transforming Lives, One Orphan at a Time

Igniting a Passion for Philanthropy

Devraj Dhupar and Sahil Polepalle, both seniors at Saddle River Day School, have been driven by a deep-rooted desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of orphans in India. Inspired by the experiences of their India-born parents and families, the co-presidents of the school's HELP Foundation chapter have spearheaded a remarkable fundraising campaign. Through a diverse array of initiatives, including candy and bake sales, tutoring sessions, and walkathons, they have rallied their community to support the Balgram orphanage near Pune, Maharashtra, one of 18 institutions under the India-based Social Action for Man Power Creation organization.

Bridging the Education Gap

Devraj Dhupar eloquently articulates the motivation behind their efforts, stating, "India is fighting an education access crisis which is the root of many of its social challenges. Many children in India have no real chance of obtaining an education. I saw this as a way to make a difference." With an estimated 31 million orphaned or abandoned children in India, according to the United Nations Children's Fund, the need for educational opportunities is staggering. Only 370,000 of these children live in orphanages or adoption centers, and a mere 9% of the country's 9,589 orphanages receive government support.

Fostering Connections and Understanding

Sahil Polepalle, whose aunt Sunitha Polepalle sits on the HELP Foundation's board, has been involved with the organization since his elementary school days. As he grew older, he recognized the potential to expand the foundation's reach into high schools. "I got together with Devraj the summer before freshman year and we talked about how the foundation was starting to expand into high schools. We felt it would be a good way to do community service," he recounts.The students' efforts have gone beyond mere fundraising. They organized a Zoom call to introduce themselves to the children at the Balgram orphanage and later visited the facility in December 2022. "We learned about how the orphanage functions, and most importantly, interact with the kids and learn how similar their lives were to ours," Sahil shares, highlighting the importance of fostering connections and understanding between the students and the orphans.

Sustaining the Momentum

The financial commitment required to support the orphans is substantial, with Devraj noting that it takes $10,000 to support one child with food, shelter, and education through age 18. The Saddle River Day School chapter has already supported four orphans, but the students are determined to expand their reach.Devraj and Sahil are actively planning future fundraising efforts, including a bake sale for students in November and another walkathon on April 26. They are also in the process of choosing new officers to ensure the continuation of their work after they graduate. "We want to increase the scope by getting more community groups like the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts to join in the fundraising effort," Sahil explains, underscoring their commitment to building a sustainable support system for the orphans.The students' dedication and compassion have not gone unnoticed. Shai Zacaraev, the Head of the Upper School at Saddle River Day, has been a staunch supporter of their efforts. "We are all very proud of Devraj and Sahil for the effort they put into opening a local chapter for the HELP foundation," Zacaraev says. "Their commitment to supporting education for students on the other side of the world is an ideal we hope more young people will strive for."As Devraj and Sahil prepare to graduate, they leave behind a legacy of hope and empowerment, inspiring their peers and the broader community to join them in their mission to transform the lives of India's orphans. Through their unwavering dedication and innovative fundraising initiatives, they have demonstrated that even the youngest among us can make a profound and lasting impact on the world.