Princeton Day School student Ruchita Zaparde ’17 has been named a 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Honoree for her work with the non-profit Sew A Future, which provides sewing machines to widows with young children in rural India. The HALO awards show is set to air on Nickelodeon on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 7 p.m.
Princeton Day School student Ruchita Zaparde ’17 (Plainsboro) has been named as a 2015 Nickelodeon HALO Honoree, one of only four teens chosen from across the country. The award, which stands for Help And Lead Others, is in recognition of Zaparde’s work with the non-profit Sew A Future, which she founded in the 7th grade, and which provides sewing machines to widows with young children in rural India.
Sew A Future provides sewing machines and training so these young mothers can take on tailoring jobs in their villages and earn a living. Through Zaparde’s fundraising efforts, more than 213 widows have been helped with the gift of a sewing machine.
Sew A Future partners with other schools—57 schools to date—by presenting their efforts to members of Key Clubs, Interact Clubs, National Honor Society (NHS) Chapters, and other community service programs often via Skype, and asking for help with fundraising. High school and middle school volunteers generally raise funds for sewing machines, and elementary school students collect buttons, threads, and sewing fabrics. In addition, Sew A Future sends pictures, videos, and the address details of the beneficiary families to sponsoring students.
The HALO award show is set to air on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 7 p.m. on Nickelodeon.
For more about Sew A Future, visit sewafuture.org.
