About

FInding Inspiration at every turn

Our Story

Isha's trip to India, with its initial immersion in luxury resorts followed by a stark shift to the realities of underserved communities, sparked a profound sense of gratitude. It was the small, often overlooked things that resonated most deeply. For instance, at Manav Sadhna, she noticed many children lacked proper shoes. One day, as they played sports in a rough, rocky yard beneath the railway tracks, several children were unable to participate. She offered her slippers to one little girl, but had to watch the others either sit out or endure the pain of their bare feet on the harsh ground. This single moment, among many others, instilled in her a new appreciation for something as simple as shoes, a feeling she hadn't often experienced. The children's warmth and affection towards any volunteer was incredibly moving. Their eagerness to learn and improve was also striking, evident in their constant engagement in lessons. This drive, she felt, was often lacking in those with more comfortable lives. This observation inspired her to create Eklipse, an organization dedicated to providing these under-resourced children with the opportunity to harness their unwavering motivation and reach their full potential.

Speech given by Isha Popat on her last day at the Manav Seva Center

Translation to English:

I have learned so much from the past two weeks at Manav Sadhna from all of you. The first thing I learned is to always live life happily and with the best attitude. I have also learned from your determination. I have keenly watched as all of you learn whatever it is that you put your mind to, whether it be math or English. I am truly thankful to all of you for making me feel so welcome and giving me such a wonderful two weeks. There are just two promises that I want you to make to me. First, I want you all to promise that you will keep studying first and have it as your top priority and learn something new every day. Secondly, I want you all to promise me that you will all become whatever it is that you dream of in the future.

IMG_2668.mov

Meet the Board

Isha Popat: Founder, CEO

Hi, I’m Isha, the founder of Eklipse — a mission-driven initiative born from a moment of deep reflection and inspiration during my time volunteering at Manav Sadhna in Ahmedabad, India. Through Eklipse, I hope to help unlock the true potential within each child I met during my time at Manav Seva. Watching their curiosity and compassion throughout my stay, I noticed something often missing in children who are given the opportunities these kids lack. That was my moment of epiphany — I realized I had to do something to ensure these children gain the resources they need to thrive, because I saw them for who they truly are — something many people overlook.

Aadi Jariwala: Director of Finance and Outreach, COO

I'm Aadi Jariwala, a rising senior attending Canyon Crest Academy. My interests lie at the intersection of economics and political science. I intend to pursue a career in social entrepreneurship. Outside of school, I enjoy playing tennis and guitar. I am passionate about bettering access to quality education for children in India. As part of this mission, I'm excited to lead our team and branch leaders in fundraising and outreach efforts to help expand our impact in the areas assistance is needed.

Saatvic Mahesh: Director of Web Design, CTO

My name is Saatvic Mahesh, and I am a rising sophomore at Del Norte High School, fueled by a passion for science, medical equity, and web design. I’m drawn to high-performance systems, whether that’s analyzing F1 races, optimizing nonprofit outreach, or designing experiments in health and environmental research. As Head of Finance and Outreach for my school’s Eklipse chapter and Head of Web and Design for the board, I hope to expand access to hygiene and education for children in rural India. I believe that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background, deserves an opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. And this core belief is exactly why I joined Eklipse in the first place.

Dominique Chevalier: Director of Curriculum Development

Hi, my name is Dominique Chevalier. I just graduated from the Lycée International of Saint Germain en Laye in France, my major being philosophy according to my passion for human sciences. During a volunteer stay at Manav Sadhna last summer, I had the chance to get to know the day to day lives of children growing up in Indian slums. Observing the diligence of Manav Sadhnas teachers in their mission to promote a solid and healthy education for every child was very enriching. I hope to support Manav Sadhnas projects through my commitment at Eklipse.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse