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Yash Gupta started a non-profit organization called Sight Learning, which collects and donates used eyeglasses for students who need them in third world countries, in addition to organizing eye-exam clinics in these nations.
To date, Sight Learning has collected more than $100,000 worth of eyeglasses, organized 2 eye-exam clinics in Mexico and Honduras, and directly helped thousands of people.
Yash started the organization due to a personal experience he had that changed his life forever. In 9th grade, Yash broke his glasses and had to go to school without them for a week. Sitting in the back of the classroom, Yash quickly realized his inability to learn without his glasses. He was distracted, could not see the board, and simply did not absorb any of the information being taught those few days. Yash was shocked at how dependent he was on glasses, so much to the point that he could not learn without them. This shocking experience got Yash thinking, do other students have similar problems but for longer times?
After doing extensive research, Yash learned that 100 million people around the world use glasses everyday in order to live their lives normally. However, there are a whopping 300 million people around the world who NEED glasses in order to live their lives normally, but are unable to afford them, and are therefore visually impaired. A large majority of these people are students, and they are unable to receive an education simply because they cannot afford a pair of glasses. Yash's goal with Sight Learning has been to give all of these students an equal opportunity to receive an education, and he has been very successful so far. In addition to raising $100,000 worth of eyeglasses and organizing various eye-clinics, Sight Learning has been recognized by President Barack Obama as an Official Presidential Volunteer Service Award Certifying Organization, which means it can now reward its volunteers with the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This distinction, allows for many volunteers to work closely with Sight Learning to make a difference, while at the same time getting volunteer credit in return. Yash continues his great work with Sight Learning, and continues to inspire other young people to do the same.
County: Irvine California, USA School: Northwood High School |