Empowering Children Through Education, Life Skills & Sport with OSCAR Foundation – A Fundraiser by Rayze Borgawkar

Hi, my name is Rayze Borgawkar, and I am a Grade 8 student at Podar ORT International School, Mumbai.

As part of my IB Community Project, I chose to support a cause that I deeply connect with. Football has been a big part of my life—I’ve been playing competitively at the Mumbai District level since I was 7 years old. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and play with players from the OSCAR Foundation. What stood out to me was not just their skill, but their discipline, humility, and positive attitude.

When I learned more about OSCAR, I was truly inspired by their mission. They use football as a powerful tool to help children from underserved communities stay in school and develop essential life skills. Their simple yet impactful approach—where children continue playing only if they continue their education—creates lasting change.

As part of my project, I am volunteering with OSCAR and raising funds to support more children in their programme.

Across India, thousands of children in low-income communities face difficult challenges— dropping out of school, early marriages, addiction, lack of role models, and limited opportunities. These issues often trap them in a cycle of poverty that is hard to break.

Since 2010, OSCAR Foundation has been working to change this by using football not just as a sport, but as a pathway to education, confidence, and opportunity.

Through their programmes, children develop critical life skills such as confidence, emotional resilience, decision-making, communication, teamwork, and leadership—skills that help them stay in school and build a better future.

The impact is both real and measurable: 

• 35,000+ children and youth empowered
• 93%+ of children successfully pass their 10th and 12th-grade exams each year 
• Youth leaders giving back to their communities 
• Players progressing to national and international platforms 

Your support can help provide: 

• Education and mentorship 
• Football training, equipment, and safe spaces 
• Opportunities for children to dream bigger

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps break the cycle of poverty and creates a ripple effect of change across generations. 

Let’s come together to give every child a fair chance—not just to play, but to learn, grow, and succeed in life.