Spotlight: Saaiba Shamnath | Pratham Spark Leadership Programme
At Pratham, we believe young people have the energy, curiosity and drive to help shape a fairer world. This summer, we brought six high school students from across the US and UK together in Seattle for the inaugural Pratham Spark Leadership Program, a week of learning, volunteering, and exploring what it means to lead with purpose.
Among them was Saaiba Shamnath, a 17 year old secondary school student living in London. We caught up with Saaiba to learn more about her experience, what drew her to Pratham, and what she took away from the programme.
Saaiba, could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Saaiba Shamnath, and I am currently a 17-year-old secondary school student living in London. I am studying Maths, Economics and Politics with an overall ambition to work in the finance sector after university. Outside of my studies, I enjoy being a member of Model United Nations, Debating Club and my school’s netball team. I am also an avid contributor to my school’s Charities and Communities board where we regularly organise fundraisers and events to support both our local and wider community.
How did you first come across Pratham and what inspired you to get involved?
I have always strived to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, even if it was on a seemingly negligible scale. I felt this goal was definitely reflected in the work of Pratham, which was what initially drew me to the charity.
I first found out about the charity and the programme from a family friend who visited a Pratham programme last year and did not hesitate to recommend it to me. After researching the specific goals of Pratham, I was immediately drawn to its unique and direct approach in alleviating the education crisis within India and knew I wanted to participate in the summer programme to learn more.
Was there a particular moment, activity or speaker from the conference that really stayed with you?
Unsurprisingly, I took away countless things upon completing the five-day course, which only furthered my desire to eradicate social inequalities on whatever scale I could manage. Some of the many standout moments for me included the keynote speaker on the role of non-profits in society, which vastly broadened my understanding of the infinite number of ways that we can contribute to society, whether by supporting education, improving access to healthcare or simply amplifying voices that often go unheard.
Furthermore, I greatly enjoyed that the programme developed my leadership skills alongside my knowledge of Pratham, as the multiple interactive group work sessions enhanced my public speaking and organisational skills. For example, during the programme we had a session on the different styles of leadership activity which taught me there is no ‘right’ way of being a leader, and the best leaders are often those who balance practising authority & empathy.
A day of volunteering.
What was your main takeaway from the programme?
Overall, my main takeaway from the time spent with Pratham is that solving social justices isn’t just about providing resources – it’s about understanding local needs, partnering with communities and building systems that empower people over the long term. I will carry this mindset into my further education and future career: to focus on looking for the root of an issue and with a deeper respect for the people most affected in our world.
Why do you think it matters for young people to engage with education and development work early on?
I truly believe becoming involved with education and development from an early age is one of the most crucial and necessary ways that we as a society can combat the ongoing inequality crisis in the world. By starting young, a lifelong urge to build a fairer, more compassionate world will almost definitely be instilled in everyone. I have experienced this due to my time spent with Pratham in the programme and therefore I would motivate any young person who is considering participating in it, or something similar, to do it, as it is an opportunity to see how your actions can contribute to meaningful change – an opportunity you will carry for life.
Young people are already driving change. Programmes like these show just how much impact they can have when given the chance to lead.
If you’re a young person, or know someone who would like to get involved with Pratham UK and be part of our growing network of changemakers, we’d love to hear from you. Write to us at hello@pratham.org.uk to know more about upcoming programmes.