At an age when most teens are focused on school exams and social media, a group of high school students from St. Xaviers High School – Gurugram, are rewriting what youth leadership looks like. Through two student-led initiatives—Heal.Ed, which bridges gaps in healthcare and education through workshops on brain development, mental wellness, and health awareness, and Project Spark, which offers academic support, skill-building, and career exposure—these young changemakers are driving real impact for children from underserved communities. Their latest collaboration, Zariyaa, took place on July 6th at Club Florence, Gurgaon.
Organised entirely by students, Zariyaa was both a fundraiser and a talent showcase, featuring performances by 20+ children from NGOs the groups have been working with. These children—many of whom had little prior exposure to the arts—took the stage to perform in music, dance, and theatre, highlighting the confidence and creativity nurtured through months of workshops, mentorship, and support.
“We wanted to give these kids not just resources, but also recognition,” says Seerat Khanna, a Grade 11 student at St. Xavier’s High School and the driving force behind both initiatives.
In addition to the performances, the event included a panel discussion with experts from the education, health, and social impact sectors, discussing long-term solutions for empowering underserved communities. The goal: not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness and involvement.
The name Zariyaa, which means medium or pathway, reflects the broader mission of the event—to create space for unheard voices, untapped talent, and unseen impact. All funds raised will go directly toward continuing Heal.Ed and Project Spark’s programming with these children.
