Based in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, Prosfero is a clothing nonprofit company with a powerful mission - to provide clothing from the US to underprivileged children in India.
Back in 2018, Prosfero came to life when Aadi Shankar had an eye-opening experience while cleaning out his closet. He noticed the immense wastage of not only food but also clothing all around the world. Determined to make a difference, he decided to repurpose these perfectly good clothes to help those in need. The spark for Prosfero was ignited during his visit to an orphanage in Delhi, India, run by his grandparents. Witnessing the plight of underprivileged children, Aadi knew he had to do something to alleviate their hardships.
The name "Prosfero" holds a special place as it originates from the Greek word for "Charity." This beautifully encapsulates the essence of the organization's purpose - to spread compassion and kindness through clothing donations.
Aadi is blessed with a strong support system that has been instrumental in his journey. He credits his mother, from day one, for being there to support and encourage him in every endeavor. Without the unwavering support of his parents and grandparents, who run a school for underprivileged youth in India, the idea for Prosfero would have never materialized.
Aadi's deep emotional connection to the cause is palpable in his personal involvement. Despite the challenges of traveling to India, he makes sure to witness the unloading and distribution of every Prosfero shipment. He recalls a heartwarming experience in March when he visited a school in Ghaziabad after the Covid restrictions eased. Seeing the joy and gratitude on the faces of the children when they received the clothing was a profound moment that further fueled his dedication to the cause.
What began as sending packages through his grandparents has evolved into a significant movement. As demand and volume grew, Aadi reached out to the CEO of DHL in 2020, forming a crucial partnership that allowed Prosfero to ship clothing to India entirely free of charge. The impact has been immense, with an impressive equivalent of 1000 kgs of clothing donated so far.
Beyond Prosfero, Aadi has taken up another commendable project called "Radiant Cooling." Collaborating with Princeton University, he aims to implement this alternative cooling technology in a school in India. Radiant cooling, inspired by the sun's principles, cools through radiation and induction, ensuring a comfortable environment for students in hot and humid climates.
Mark your calendars for August 15, 2023, when the Radiant Cooling technology will be unveiled in a government school in Ghaziabad, India. Few central ministers are expected to join the inauguration ceremony of this technology, bringing much-needed comfort to these young minds. Princeton University's involvement adds a research dimension to the project, attracting potential media coverage that could raise awareness on a global scale.
Aadi's vision for Prosfero's future is bright and ambitious. As he ventures into college, he plans to expand the organization's reach by setting up more partnerships and chapters across the US. The goal is to involve more people under the Prospero name, with potential chapters in Washington DC and California. Additionally, he hopes to partner with more schools in India, further increasing the positive impact of Prosfero.
Reflecting on his journey, Aadi has a powerful piece of advice for his younger self and everyone else: Never underestimate yourself or the impact you can make. When he reached out to the CEO of DHL as a 14-year-old, he never thought he would get a response. But persistence paid off, opening doors to incredible opportunities. "You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take," he wisely reminds us, encouraging all of us to embrace every opportunity fearlessly.
-𝐴𝑎𝑑𝑖 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑎𝑟
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑜
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