IF you have ever sought a volunteering opportunity with an NGO, it is likely you have come across Team Everest, a nonprofit organisation which has emerged as a testament to the power of compassion and collective action.
While setting up the organisation in 2006 its founder Karthee Vidya envisioned a day when every person can turn into a volunteer and a changemaker. Since then Team Everest has extended its volunteer network to over 1 lakh people from India and abroad and has changed the lives of hundreds of underprivileged children with education support.
At the heart of Team Everest’s mission lies a simple yet profound belief: that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed in life. The organisation identifies and nurtures talented children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, recognising that talent and brilliance is not determined by the circumstances one is born into. By breaking the barriers of financial constraints, Team Everest empowers these gifted young minds to fulfil their potential and achieve their dreams.
Through a carefully designed educational support programme, Team Everest ensures that no dream is left unexplored due to lack of resources. Scholarships, educational materials, and access to quality education are just a few of the tools used to pave the way for these budding talents. Moreover, the programme extends beyond academic excellence, emphasising holistic development to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped to face the challenges of the modern world.
How it all began
Karthee’s journey to establishing Team Everest began with a simple question: “If not now, then when? If not me, then who?” This powerful introspection led him to the realisation that he too could have a significant role to play in addressing the distress in society. After a fruitful career in the IT industry, he decided to channel his skills and resources into creating an entity that would facilitate change.
Karthee completed his engineering degree and entered the business world in 2006 and this is when Team Everest’s adventure began. He decided to donate his first month’s salary to provide books and study material for students of government schools and to those coming from poor backgrounds. He also requested donations and support from three of his friends. He went to a rural Tamil Nadu school where 70% of the students were child labourers. With a sum of ₹4,000 in hand, Karthee was able to cover tuition fees and even gave them school supplies including notebooks, clothes, and pencils.
Karthee’s efforts, which began with just three friends, has expanded to a huge network of committed volunteers after he left his lucrative corporate position to serve underprivileged children full time.
Team Everest commenced with the singular goal of making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. The name ‘Team Everest’ symbolises the organisation’s enduring commitment to scaling the heights of social service and overcoming the challenges that hinder humanity’s progress.
Starting from Chennai, India, Team Everest began its operations by supporting the education of disadvantaged children. Karthee believed in the transformative power of education and understood that the path to upliftment lies through its gates. Thus, he made it Team Everest’s mission to provide quality education to those who lack access.
Leveraging the power of collective action
One of the key reasons behind Team Everest’s success in creating a life-changing impact on thousands of lives is its vast network of volunteers. The Indian NGO has forged strong partnerships with over 1 lakh working professionals and students and have inspired them to embrace the cause of education for all. These everyday heroes selflessly contribute their time, skills, and energy to uplift underprivileged communities and serve as mentors and role models for the young beneficiaries.
Volunteers form the backbone of Team Everest’s operations, working tirelessly to bring about positive change. Their commitment goes beyond just providing financial support; they offer guidance, mentorship, and emotional support, bringing inspiration and hope to the children they serve.
Each volunteer brings their unique set of skills and experiences to the table. Whether it’s conducting workshops, organising fundraising events, or mentoring students, their collective efforts amplify the impact of Team Everest’s initiatives manifold.
Team Everest’s commitment to educational support and its vast network of dedicated volunteers have transformed the lives of countless underprivileged children. This powerful combination of compassion, dedication, and education is not only breaking the cycle of poverty but also sowing the seeds of a brighter and more equitable future for India.
I am the Change
Team Everest’s I am the Change Scholarship is one of its flagship programmes that has contributed to the education of over 1,800 talented underprivileged students since its inception about six years ago.
Financial difficulties force a lot of kids to drop out after high school and not attend college. The “I am the change scholarship” was conceived as a financial support system for academically talented single-parent or parentless students who face monetary obstacles in completing their degrees. Thanks to Team Everest and its programme, hundreds of students today have not only completed their degrees but have also been placed in large corporations and attained a bright future for themselves.
Creating young leaders & breaking the cycle of poverty
With initiatives such as the First Penguin Club and Speak Out, Team Everest has trained hundreds of students in public speaking, problem solving and other skills needed to secure lucrative corporate jobs and emerge as future leaders.
The NGO has constantly made efforts to propel students to become leaders and changemakers in society. Through leadership development programmes, the organisation nurtures the qualities of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility in its students. Many of the children who have benefited from Team Everest’s programmes have gone on to become inspiring leaders, advocating for social causes and giving back to their communities.
Team Everest has made education a powerful tool for underprivileged children to break the vicious cycle of poverty. As these children grow into responsible and skilled individuals, they have a better chance of securing sustainable livelihoods, thereby lifting their families out of economic hardship and inspiring positive change in their communities.
By bridging the education gap, instilling confidence, unlocking talents, breaking the cycle of poverty, creating young leaders, and building robust support networks, Team Everest has empowered children to dream beyond their circumstances and achieve greatness.
The journey of Team Everest continues, as it embraces even more young souls and tries to usher in a brighter, more equitable future for India. Through the work done by just one nonprofit we can witness the incredible transformation that education and compassion can bring about in the lives of underprivileged children. Click the link to support Team Everest in its mission.
Choosing to tread the proverbial road less travelled, Ramon embarked upon a career in journalism and spent over 8 years working for various media organisations. A deeper calling to create a sustainable impact in the lives of the less fortunate compelled him to join the social sector. Ramon is a minimalist at heart and an explorer in spirit.
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