It’s a long way from Sunil Hirani’s beachfront home in Westport to rural India.
And Staples High School is a far cry from VidyaGyan school. Students’ parents are farmers, laborers and day workers, earning an average of $1,800 a year.
But Hirani — a fintech entrepreneur who has started and run financial infrastructure and digital asset companies — cares as passionately about the school an hour and a half from New Delhi as he does about the community he lives in and loves here.
A good friend — a founder of VidyaGyan — invited him to visit. Once he saw the students’ faces, filled with hope, he vowed to help any way he could.
In some ways, he says, the school is nothing like Staples. But in many others — dedicated and caring teachers; students ready to grow up and embrace the world — it’s not much different at all.
Screenshot from the VidyaGyan website.
VidyaGyan is tuition-free and co-ed, for grades 6-12. Each year, over 250,000 youngsters apply. There are spots for just 250.
More than 95% of graduates go on to top universities across India. Some come to the US, to schools like Stanford, Cornell, Washington & Lee, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Purdue.
A record 12 have been admitted this year to American colleges. Wesleyan, NYU, Georgetown and Drexel have taken 2 each. Northwestern, Rose-Hulman and others accepted 1 student apiece.
100% funding has been secured for 6 students.
Unfortunately, he says, “even with significant and generous financial aid and assistance for the other 6, they are unable to attend.” All are remarkably accomplished, having overcome significant challenges.
The 6 students without full aid have offered to do work-study programs, or find other creative ways to help close the gap.
Meanwhile, Hirani hopes friends and strangers can help too.
“Access to quality higher education in the United States is the single most effective scale solution to tackling poverty,” he says.
“It is a transformative experience. It has a realistic potential to change the destiny of an individual, family and society, in one generation.”
He is eager to speak directly with anyone who wishes to make a contribution to the 6 students’ education. Donations are tax-deductible.
He also hopes to find Westport families interested in hosting a student before they begin college, and during the holidays. Both the student and the host family would enjoy the experience, he says.
“06880” will connect interested readers with Sunil Hirani. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. For more information on VidyaGyan, click here.
