"A single seed can turn into a forest.  A drop of water can become an ocean.  Sometimes the biggest impact starts with a single commitment." 

--Saanya Hasan Ali

Saanya’s Efforts to Educate Children Around the World – One Card at a Time

In June 2005,  Saanya and her family received an e-mail from close friends telling them about Pennies for Education and Health (“PEH”), a newly-established charity they had started to provide education and healthcare for underprivileged children in South Asia.  When her mother explained to Saanya that she would send $100 to educate one child for one year, on her behalf, Saanya decided that she would rather do something to raise the money herself. 

 Thus began her efforts to help children around the world get education.  Saanya makes beautiful, creative cards for all occasions and sells these to family, friends and the community, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to providing children with education. 

In just the first few months, Saanya raised over $600, enough to support eight children in elementary school in Gujarat, India through PEH.  These children have sent her cards, photographs, and even their report cards.  Seeing what a difference she is making in these children’s lives, Saanya has committed to helping these kids until they graduate from college.  As of May 2008, she has raised over $10,000!

“I strongly believe that education is one of the most important things in life. It would be very hard to live a good life without education,” says Saanya. “If you don’t know how to read, write, and do math, how could you get a job and provide food and shelter for your family.  But there are more than 100 million children my age who don’t have an opportunity to go to school. I really think it is unfair that my family, friends and I can get an education. Why can’t all children?"

In addition to PEH, the money that Saanya has raised has been sent to helping  children affected by Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Pakistan, the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in her neighborhood, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa, and the Central Asia Institute.

Click here to read more about Saanya.