Aloke Desai Makes a Difference for SOTENI Villages of Hope!

Aloke Desai, a senior at Indian Hill High School, has been making a difference for AIDS orphans and other vulnerable people in Kenya for the past 2 years. His goal is to help raise awareness and money to reverse the AIDS pandemic in Africa through the SOTENI Club he co-leads at the school.  Currently, he is one of the student leaders organizing SOTENI's Kilometers for Kenya bike ride on October 23rd. (See related story.)

"Coming from an affluent part of town, I always felt I had an obligation to help the less fortunate," Aloke said.  "But it was not until I joined SOTENI that I was able to fulfill this goal."  For Aloke, volunteering for SOTENI "has been one of my most impacting and rewarding decisions of high school."

With Aloke's leadership, the Indian Hill SOTENI Club (founded in 2005) holds bake sales and other fundraisers throughout the year to collect money for a cause they so passionately believe in. They also partner with SOTENI Clubs at other high schools to plan and promote citywide events. Aloke recalled, "In March 2011 we organized the second annual Paint the Town Red benefit concert at the Leapin' Lizard in Covington. During the concert, local bands, most of which consisted of high schoolers, played a combination of their own music and popular hits.  The turnout was incredible.  It was great to see how many people my age would take the time to drive all the way to Kentucky just to help a good cause and hear music they liked."

Another youth volunteer, Allison Winstel, a graduate of St. Ursula Academy and two year volunteer with SOTENI International, was awarded the 2011 Serve Ohio Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award!  Allison was connected with SOTENI in August of 2009 by UGIVE, a nonprofit organization that connects students to various philanthropies. She donated her $2500 charity-of-choice prize money to SOTENI International.   Allison also helped organize the Paint the Town Red benefit concerts in 2010 and 2011. Proceeds from the concert went to SOTENI's dispensary in SVH-Mbakalo.  It allowed SOTENI to purchase medical and other much needed supplies for this rural medical treatment facility. (See related story.)

Speaking as a mentor, Aloke Desai strongly recommends that all local high school students become part of SOTENI and participate in fundraising events at their schools and in the city. "Not only is it an altruistic thing to do, it is a fun, engaging way to serve others all while earning service hours for school. There is no greater feeling than knowing you have helped the less fortunate in a way very few could.  I am confident that the skills I have learned while volunteering will help me throughout life and for that I am grateful."