High school duo finds outreach program, Key to Finesse
(WJBK) - Students Chintan and Esha are passionate about public speaking. Esha is a dancer and Chintan plays tennis. They're honor students involved in many clubs, and realize they have very good lives filled with many opportunities, and that those who have much should give back.
"So, first we started off not really having a definite plan or direction. We just really wanted to do something and not just stay with our own high school or own society and step out of that," says Esha Ghosalkar.
The duo developed a program called Key to Finesse. It outreach program helps them connect with important causes and groups in need. They do confidence-building seminars and volunteer to teach at schools.
"We taught the second-graders basic skills, you know, how to have proper manners or speaking on the phone, or just basic introductions and confidence building and self-esteem," says Chintan Maheshwari.
"I remember tutoring some of the kids, and, a girl telling me that, you know, I've helped her so much just because I brought her from an E in math to a D in math, which is such a rewarding thing to know, but also so different than what I personally have seen in my society," Esha remembers.
Chintan is a junior at Catholic Central, and Esha is a junior at Troy High.
Earlier this year, Chintan and Esha organized a public speaking competition and raised nearly $3,000 for The Heat and Warmth fund. Also, in October, another public speaking competition raised more than $8,000 for babies in need in India and Sri Lanka.
"Granted, it's not like a world-changing revolutionary thing, but every small bit counts, you know? Even we can improve the lives of one or two individuals, that's something that we take great pride in," says Chintan.
"Some people forget that there is a world outside of just our own, our own family, our own problems. Find your passion and see what you can do to share that with others," Esha says.
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