Editor’s Note: This article is a part of #YoungWarrior, a pan-India movement led by the young people of India and an initiative by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), YuWaah, UNICEF India and partners across the Public & Private sectors, UN bodies and CSOs. Partaking in this movement, young people have taken centre-stage during the COVID-19 pandemic to lead the country from the front, through positive tools such civic action, mental health, skilling and community welfare. Gearing towards the upcoming International Youth Day on 12th August, 2021, join us in recognizing and celebrating the inspiring stories of these young warriors and share your story on how you’ve been a shining young warrior in these times too!
From the slums of Kolkata to playing cricket at Lord’s, London—this is the heartfelt story of seventeen-year-old Lusi.
Growing up in a poverty-stricken family, Lusi understood the meaning of struggle, especially as an adolescent girl. The daughter of a carpenter and a homemaker, Lusi defied the odds when she represented India to play in the Street Child Cricket World Cup at Lord’s, London, in 2019.
As the vice-captain of team India, she addressed the UK parliament urging global attention on gender equality and the rights of the poorest and most vulnerable children. The same year, she spoke at Converge, Youth Ki Awaaz’s annual national summit, enabling young change-makers to speak up, discuss and deliberate on pressing issues.
As part of Save the Children’s Dream Accelerator project, Lusi leads action through her micro project to empower and champion gender equality and children’s rights through sports.
She has reached more than 200 children through her needs assessment program and trained 20 peer leaders on gender equality who will identify and teach ten children in their slum areas on the topic.
To be part of the #YoungWarrior movement: Type ‘YWA’ and send it to +91 96504 14141 on WhatsApp; OR Give a missed call to 080-66019225 Take the pledge, post ‘I am a #YoungWarrior’ & tag 5 friends on social media.