Author: E. Cherkuri, Megaphone Staff Writer

📍San Jose, CA

Q: Nitya, could you please introduce yourself and your involvement with the animal shelter?

Nitya: Certainly. My name is Nitya Jayaprakash, and I’m an eleventh-grade student at Notre Dame School. I’ve been working to raise awareness and funds for an animal shelter in India as I have been helping out there every summer since I was a young girl.

Q: Can you elaborate on your initiative to support the animal shelter? 

Nitya: Absolutely. I spent a week volunteering at the shelter, and the conditions there deeply impacted me. I felt compelled to help by raising awareness and funds to improve the lives of the animals.

Q: What inspired you to focus on this particular shelter and its inhabitants? 

Nitya: My family has a longstanding connection to the shelter through my grandfather, who is a veterinarian. His involvement and my personal experience there solidified my commitment to supporting their cause.

Challenges and Goals

Q: Can you describe some of the challenges faced by the shelter and its animals?

Nitya: The shelter grapples with overcrowding, inadequate resources, and the harsh realities faced by many animals in the community. These factors contribute to the animals’ overall well-being and create a significant need for support.

Q: What are your specific fundraising goals, and how do you plan to allocate the funds?

Nitya: My current goal is to raise $500. The funds will be directly donated to the shelter to support their ongoing efforts, such as providing food, medical care, and shelter for the animals.

Impact and Future Aspirations

Q: Can you share a particularly moving experience you had while volunteering at the shelter?

Nitya: One instance that deeply affected me involved a dog named Caruta. His deteriorating health and eventual passing highlighted the challenges these animals face and the profound impact they can have on those who care for them. This experience reinforced my determination to help.

Q: What advice would you offer to other young people interested in starting their own charitable endeavors?

Nitya: I encourage young people to start small and build upon their efforts. Identifying a cause they are passionate about and reaching out to their community can be a powerful first step. Building support and expanding their reach from there is essential.