Growing up in the US, my parents ensured I stayed connected to my culture and religion through annual trips to India. These visits, filled with time spent with family and friends, became something I eagerly looked forward to each year.

At age four, I was diagnosed with a cataract during a routine eye exam and began patching therapy to improve my vision. Although there was some improvement, surgery remained a possibility in the future.

As I grew older, weekly Sunday visits to the temple became part of our family routine. Volunteers organized engaging and educational spiritual classes based on the teachings and life of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. He dedicated his life to the well-being of others and lived by the motto "In the joy of others, lies our own"

I made friends almost instantly in those classes, and not long after, we were introduced to “Small Hands Big Hearts,” a project focused on saving and donating money to help build a Mandir. I remember choosing to save my ice-cream money for the initiative, which made giving back both exciting and enjoyable.

After the pandemic, during a trip to India, my parents learned about a distant relative who could not afford cataract surgery and immediately stepped in to help. That moment stayed with me and made me think about how many others faced the same challenge, inspiring me to begin my journey with Sight4Eyes in June 2022 and start saving to help fund life-changing surgeries

For my first Eye Camp in July 2023, I contributed $750 that I had earned through chores and saved from my 13th birthday gifts. My parents proudly matched my efforts, bringing the total to $1,500.