Patch Blog: Why I Love Speech and Debate

October 4th 2009:

I pressed the "share" button on Facebook, formally launching www.letushopeinternational.org.

My name is Avni Parikh, and my mission is to educate the world around me about injustices facing young people and to generate funding to support projects for educational development in some of the most underdeveloped communities in the world.

When I first told people about LHI, they were surprised. First of all, I was fourteen. I hadn’t even set up my own bank account when I had a meeting with my Dad’s CPA. My cousin told me I was acting like a “fifity year old man trying to make his legacy.” People kept asking me if I really knew what I was getting myself into. They told me that this was beyond me. I had to focus on my future and school. I questioned myself as well. Could I get people to listen and care? Would I have the stregnth to persevere no matter what? What if I failed?  

I was not born to lead.

Growing up, like many girls my age, I had my share of self-esteem issues. I repeated the first grade, believing I was incapable of doing anything worthwhile. I was bullied and had trouble making friends. On top of that, I felt extremely self-conscious about my appearance and weight. I felt like an anomaly until the second semester of eighth grade.

When Mrs. Goldstein, my history teacher, explained the oratorical contest, I realized I had to win and speak at graduation. My speech entitled, Nobility Knows No Boarders, regards incredible work Doctors Without Borders does overseas. I also reflected my experiences in India: I once saw a child who had acid thrown on his face. Unfortunately, I had a long awkward pause in the middle of my speech at semi-finals, which prevented me from advancing. However, the tournament helped me realize two things that no trophy could ever amount to: my life’s purpose and why my voice mattered; I had to speak on behalf of those who have no voice and I had to do whatever I could to help them help themselves.

But, I had no idea where to start.

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I started off with one goal: I was going to sponsor one child at an orphanage in India. At that time, it was going to take $365 to pay for an orphan's shelter, healthcare, food, sanitation needs as well their school fees. When one of my best friends, Lindsay Kerekes, was at my house, I was so happy that I actually broke into tears when I explained to her that the jewelry project actually worked. We were going to sponsor a child's education for an entire year! We started talking, and thought that we could turn this project into something that could impact even more children. We started to develop "Let's Hope International."

In my freshman year of high school, I joined the speech and debate team. Although I am no "Oscar Wang" or "James Shechet," two incredible role-models and captains, the program quickly gave me tools I needed to explain myself clearly and most importantly, the confidence to press "Share" on facebook, turning Let's Hope International into a reality. Together, with the help of speech and debate, volunteers, donors, and other businesses, Let's Hope International is impacting 700 children through offering them necessities such as clean drinking water to lab equipment. http://www.letushopeinternational.org/ourprojects.htm