Shubham's Grad School Fund

Andrea Soccorso is organizing this fundraiser.

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Education transforms lives, creates ripples of hope and makes possibility reality.

Join us to support Shubham, a next-generation leader from India and former child laborer rescued by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, to pursue his long-shot dream: pursuing graduate studies at a top policy school - Harvard Kennedy School of Government or London School of Economics to help free and educate millions more children.

Note from Shubham: "Hi, I am Shubham Rathore, a youth leader from India, rescued in 2009 from child labor by Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi." I have achieved a dream acceptance to a Master's in Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School (HKS) and the London School or Economics. I ask for your help to realize this life changing opportunity. I have raised my first Year's tuition and fees but am seeking bridge the gap for my housing, utilities, food, living expenses $41,691 (Budget).

My Story - I was forced into child labor to support my family when my father's health suffered and he left. I worked long nights in a restaurant where I was not paid, received meals only, and was not allowed to visit or call my family. I was one of the lucky ones to be rescued. Since then I learned to play and laugh again. I met other children who also lost and regained their freedom and their education- like me.

I have overcome many challenges thanks to the compassion and support from Kailash Satyarthi and his teams (Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, Bachpan Bachao Andolan and Bal Ashram Trust now the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion). I have begun to dream again, set goals and am seizing opportunities to transform my life. From becoming an electric engineer to a Young India Fellow at Ashoka University thanks to supportive faculty and administration. Under Kailash ji's leadership, I advocated for children across 35+ countries. I directly contributed to legislative changes to protect children, including the Criminal Act (Amendment) of 2018, through the Bharat Yatra campaign (India). I also helped transform six villages to be child labor and child marriage free.

Why is it Urgent?

My dream to attend Harvard is not only personal. It is a promise to the 160 million child laborers who were not as lucky, who still await freedom while living daily mental, physical abuse and neglect. Every day, every several seconds a child goes missing and many are never reported or tracked. We know that when children remain in school they have a better chance at life - helping children and families out of poverty.

Why Harvard? An MPP degree from HKS will build my knowledge, skills and network to influence and strengthen policy to help end this exploitation so that not one more child has to endure this indignity and count on only luck. After graduation, I will use my education and my networks to raise awareness and strengthen policy and engage more people in the fight to protect all children from slavery, forced labor and child marriage so they may study and pursue their dreams.

How Can You Help?

I have mobilized funds, secured approval for a small loan and plan to work as my visa permits during my studies. Now I need your help to closing the remaining gap.