World We Dare to Imagine 3

 

Wheels of Wisdom (WoW)

What if the school bell rang not from a distant building, but from a bright yellow bus rolling down a dusty village road? For millions of children in rural India, the classroom is still out of reach-not because they lack ambition, but because geography, poverty, and poor infrastructure keep the doors shut. Wheels of Wisdom (WoW) is my answer to that silence: a mobile classroom bringing learning, technology, and hope right to their doorstep.

Mission

Our mission is to close the education gap in underserved communities by bringing fully equipped, tech-enabled mobile classrooms directly to children who need them most. We believe that every child deserves a quality education, not just those born in the right place.

Why I’m Passionate

I’ve seen the numbers, but more importantly, I’ve seen the faces. During my internship at a Samsung-backed edtech startup, I listened to students in rural India describe their daily struggles: walking miles to a crumbling school, sharing tattered textbooks, or simply staying home because the nearest classroom was too far. My work on an AI-powered chatbot now helps over half a million students-but I realized technology alone isn’t enough. Many kids don’t have reliable internet, or even a school building nearby. The barriers are real, and they’re physical. 

What Makes WoW Unique?

I didn't want this to be a one-off project or a simple tech drop. WoW is a living, breathing solution that adapts to the unique needs of each community:

• Network of Mobile Classrooms: Think of retrofitted trailers or buses, refurbished into colorful, tech-equipped learning spaces that can travel to where the need is greatest. Solar-powered, climate-controlled, and stocked with books, tablets, and learning kits.
• Rooted in Community: Before we roll in, we listen-talking to students, parents, teachers, and local leaders to understand what’s missing and what works. Alongside our staff, we also have opportunities for local women to volunteer and reward them for their support
• More than Just an Educational Program: We offer after-school meals to incentivize attendance, creative workshops, and safe spaces for kids to play and dream. Because education is about the whole child, not just test scores.

Why India

There are multiple reasons why I want to establish WoW in India: 

• The problem of social inequity in education is pervasive in India and the opportunity is huge because a tangible solution is needed urgently 
• The dollar goes far in India. What funds one classroom elsewhere can support several mobile units, staff, and meals here-making every foreign investment have a deeper impact. 
• I’ve never lived in India, and this is my chance to connect with my people, listen, and build something meaningful together.

Why Anima Mundi Development Partners Should Join Us

WoW offers a fresh, scalable approach that meets kids where they are-literally.

Plus, your dollar will travel farther in India. For the cost of a single classroom in the West, your support can help us launch our first 5 mobile classrooms, reaching over 500 children in the first year alone. You’ll be investing in a model that’s flexible, community-driven, and built to grow. 

World We Dare to Imagine Post 1

As I read the words of Jacqueline Novogratz in The Blue Sweater, I was inspired by her vision of “redefining the geography of community," and her encouragement to share accountability to create a world of equals. Her sharing that "each of us in his or her own way can contribute something by thinking—and acting—like a true global citizen" felt both empowering, yet producing a sense of apprehension. Realizing that the future is ours to create, that we must have the courage to imagine it together is empowering. Novogratz's experiences as she witnesses the stories of the widows in Rwanda, to being an advocate for global empathy inspired me to remember that creating change begins with recognizing our common humanity and taking action in any way possible, no matter how small the change that results. 

Personally, I have always believed that educating everyone should be the first step in making the world a better place, and truly society's next step in progress. I have faith that education will provide opportunities, and ensure progress toward breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. The ethically challenging dilemma of social inequity in education is something that I feel passionately about, like so many others; too many individuals, particularly in developing nations, are not provided opportunities simply because of where they were born. This lack of access locks whole communities in poverty, caps their potential, and entrenches inequality. Education is not only a path to employment; it is a basis for dignity, agency, and the ability to engage in society fully. I see education as the great equalizer, and I want my actions to properly reflect that belief.

During my internship at a Samsung-funded edtech start-up I was able to confront this issue head on, while also feeding into my company, community and society through education technology. I spoke to disadvantaged students in India and worked with my colleagues to understand UI/UX and create AI algorithms. I was excited and spent my personal energy designing this AI-powered chatbot, which is now a tutor for more than 500,000 students who do not have immediate support in academic learning. I learned that, as part of the solution, the larger and more intentional the action many can take (even if small, tech-aided) can have a larger impact than one would think; and that my commitment will remain connected to my passion of eduction with technology, empathy, and global work following graduation. If we all were to take ownership of the futures we image in the words of Novogratz, then my first step will be working toward education equity with all we can, one student and one innovation at a time.

 

An Interesting Discovery

35 days, 840 hours, 50,400 minutes, or 3,024,000 seconds. That’s all the time I have left at USC.

Sorry for the dramatic intro, but I need to emphasize how little time I have left at this awesome institution. My year flew by, and I’m incredibly grateful for the people I met and the memories I created here.But I have one regret: not exploring campus enough. I had no idea USC had so many hidden spots—one of which has recently become my go-to study place. Throughout all of first semester and most of second, I studied either in my dorm room or under the harsh, hospital-like lights of Leavey Library. But just two weeks ago, I made an unexpected discovery: the bookstacks at Doheny Library.

Now, don’t confuse this with the main hall you've probably seen in photos and reels. I'm talking about a secret area five floors underground, where you're unlikely to bump into another soul. It’s a wild maze with low ceilings, warm lighting, cool air conditioning, and thousands (maybe millions?) of books. I stumbled across it while looking for The Blue Sweater for a class. When I approached the librarian's desk, I assumed she would fetch the book for me. Instead, she scribbled a few letters and numbers on an index card and told me to go find it myself. As I entered the bookstacks, I was shocked by how vast the collection was—and even more surprised to learn there are elevators that go five floors underground. I made my way down, and to my delight, I discovered a quiet little area with empty desks and chairs.“WHAT? I can study here?” I thought. All this time, I had been crammed into Leavey’s musty corners, completely unaware of this hidden gem just across McCarthy Quad.

Since then, I’ve ditched my old spots and now regularly come to this low-key, peaceful bunker. I love how secluded it is, and being surrounded by books makes me feel focused and inspired. The place gives serious bunker vibes, but in the best possible way. And at a big, social school like USC, it’s nice to have a quiet pocket of solitude. During my study sessions, I take mini-breaks to wander the stacks, browsing random books. I even made a friend there: Valencia, the security guard who checks in on me. He’s super friendly—but nearly gave me a heart attack when he suddenly started speaking fluent Hindi. I had never met a white guy who spoke my language so well! 

As much as I love this place, I know my time here is limited. That’s why I wanted to share it with a few others before I leave. Hence, this post. When I showed this spot to my friends, their reviews ranged from “It’s a dungeon of knowledge” to “It’s depressing.” To me, it’s both—but in the best way. This little hideout will forever be one of my favorite memories from USC. I highly recommend you check it out at least once and decide for yourself.

The Maze Like Corridors

The Book stacks

The Elevators

The Study Spot