The Power of Social Entrepreneurs

The Yamuna School on the banks of the river Yamuna in Delhi, India was sponsored by Chess Without Borders after the death of teacher and chess player Peter Wulff. The school educates approximately 100 children who are brought to the fields by migrant agricultural workers because they have nowhere to leave their children while they work. These children are provided a meal and basic education at the Peter Wulff School by teachers from Project Why, a Delhi based non profit organization. Here is a video of the school:

Yamuna School for migrant worker children in Delhi, India

Sixteen year old Prashanth Ramachandra has transformed himself into an outstanding social entrepreneur over the years by taking on challenging projects. He has worked with other volunteers to lead fundraising efforts for the Peter Wulff School. He has taught music and chess lessons donating proceeds to charity. He has sold produce from his home garden at a local farmers market and sold food at chess tournaments.This time with COVID restrictions he has held trivia contests and donated all the proceeds for this school. Exelon has matched funds donated by Chess Without Borders to sponsor learning through social entrepreneurship. A year ago Exelon awarded $10,000 to Chess Without Borders to continue its tradition of training youth social entrepreneurs. Many short and long term projects were possible through their support.

Youth who immerse themselves in entrepreneurial projects for a sustained period develop poise and tremendous psychological and cognitive sophistication through their work. They become deeply involved in current affairs, geography of the various places they serve, marketing, publicity, technology skills and relish the cultural diversity they encounter while serving. Most striking is their ability to think critically about situations. Youth learn to share ideas and execute them through collaboration. For the last 6 years Chess Without Borders in collaboration with local churches in Barrington and Wilmette, Illinois, has sponsored a Christmas Lunch for families of ex prisoners in Chicago. Youth who volunteer actively engage in gathering gifts and funds so that the event is as successful as possible. Their ambition and drive for others is remarkable because they are proud of the impact they can have through service. Prashanth Ramachandra and Ethan Gagliano another 17 year old both raised funds for this event as well. When he was younger Ethan said, " Its more fun doing things for others".

Here is a video of the Christmas lunch a year ago before COVID (last year packed lunches were donated):

We salute these youth social entrepreneurs who go beyond their potential to become heroes for others not as lucky as them. They have won many awards for their work but that is a secondary outcome for them. Se awards here: http://shulmanchess.com/biogra...

This transformation of students into stars is possible because of adult mentors such as Zein Bertacchi, Bob Wulff, Peggy and John Schwartz, Dr Kiran Frey, Sam Oliver, Rishi Sethi, GM Shulman and Amanda Vondrak.