Having been to India several times to see family, I’ve noticed the major differences between my American lifestyle and their Indian customs, but it never occurred to me how many people struggled as a result of the opportunities they lacked. However, after learning about the inequalities in different global populations, I realized that not only did the issue affect an area near and dear to my heart, but that there was also something I could do about the lack of opportunities . 
     Shortly thereafter, a couple of friends and I connected with some of my family members in India who showed me what was happening in Chandala, a remote tribal village mixed with community members and Naxalites (those distrustful of government rule and services). This past summer, I finally got the chance to visit the village myself to better understand what was happening. Village leaders were able to give me some insight into some of the hardships the people faced, and they also connected me with a few of the kids there. What I saw shocked me; children spent most of their time helping their parents meet financial needs. Moreover, children lacked the resources to find true enjoyment. Seeing these kids forced into adulthood at such a young age made me realize what to do - help allow these kids to have a more fulfilling childhood. This experience inspired me to start Sports Forward and help many more children across India.