“The moment I realized that owning my own story gives me power to do good anywhere in the world, everything changed for me.”
That change was two years in the making for Sakshi Bhargava, a fourth-year political science student from Botswana. Her turning point reignited a spark of bold initiative that brought her to Western in the first place.
“I chose Western not just for academics, but for extracurricular opportunities to find my voice here in Canada,” Bhargava said.
Bhargava arrived in Canada with a depth of experience in being that voice for others. In early adolescence, she discovered the power of advocacy while a contestant in beauty pageants, where she was introduced to community service.
“Through pageantry, I was given a platform at just 15 years old to amplify my voice. People listened to me, but unfortunately, people don’t listen to marginalized communities. I decided to use my voice for those who don’t have a platform, or who don’t have access to the resources I have.”
Creating the Able Hearts Foundation
Bhargava was particularly moved by a visit to the Francistown Centre for Deaf Education, a residential primary school for deaf students. It inspired her to create the Able Hearts Foundation, a youth-led organization that supports children in low-income and rural communities across Botswana. Bhargava and a team of volunteers led donation drives for school supplies, hygiene products and winter essentials, collecting thousands of dollars in aid.
Western student Sakshi Bhargava (2nd from right), founder of the non-profit Able Hearts Foundation in Francistown, Botswana, led donation drives to support children in rural communities so they can continue to attend school. (Supplied)
“In developing countries like Botswana, not every child has access to what they need for education, like shoes or school uniforms – things we might take for granted here. So far, we’ve helped 600 children across Botswana stay in school.”
The success of this grassroots upstart begs the question: How did a 15-year-old start and run a non-profit organization?
“I’m shameless about reaching out to people and companies to ask for donations,” Bhargava said.
“At first, when they didn’t reply to my emails, I told my mom, ‘We have somewhere to go.’ Then I knocked on doors to tell people why these communities deserve their support, and how much impact they can have on so many lives.”
Bhargava said Able Hearts has been operating for seven years because many of the companies she initially approached became committed to the cause.
“The donors saw the impact we were having at the events we held for children, so they stuck with us, year after year, and even reached out to other companies on our behalf to get more people on board.”
Serving others through Western clubs
Despite Bhargava’s determination, the once-confident advocate found it challenging to redefine herself in Canada, with her support system and work with Able Hearts far away.
“For the first two years at Western, I didn’t get involved in anything. I let my fear swallow me,” Bhargava said.
She feared she wouldn’t be taken seriously as a woman from southern Africa, or that her efforts at home couldn’t be replicated in Canada.
“Then I reminded myself that I chose Western for a reason, so I decided to learn how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable and just go into spaces, introduce myself and share who I am. And that’s when I decided to get involved in the students’ council.”
Bhargava joined the University Students’ Council (USC) as a charity coordinator, where she could channel her passion into tangible action.
Western students on the University Students’ Council support several London-area charities, through fundraising, donation drives and community events. (Submitted)
“This year’s USC charity work developed four new initiatives that had never been tried before. I wanted to ensure we used our budget to reach as many diverse communities as possible.”
The initiatives supported organizations within London, Ont. including My Sisters’ Place, Community Living London, and Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Save the Barn campaign, a project to remember the stories of children at the former residential school in Mount Elgin.
Bhargava’s first passion has always been the welfare of children, inspiring her to rally her peers to focus their charitable efforts on children’s events. The USC hosted a holiday party for the Children’s Aid Society London and Middlesex, and also created craft kits for children at Anova.
Representing Canadian youth at the UN
Bhargava’s drive to be a voice for change led her to apply for an opportunity she once considered out of reach – the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Bhargava was accepted as a youth delegate for Canada on the Ontario Council for International Cooperation.
The opportunity to attend CSW69 for several days in New York City was nothing short of thrilling, Bhargava said. As a pre-teen, she had posted social media images of the same UN building where her delegation gathered.
“It was my childhood dream come true just to be able to go into that space. Being there as a youth delegate surrounded by so many powerful women from all around the world was amazing.”
Fourth-year political science student Sakshi Bhargava met Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, while attending the 69th Commission on the Status of Women, where she was a youth delegate. (Submitted)
Bhargava participated in discussions on gender equality, missing and murdered Indigenous women and barriers to education in developing countries. Her delegation also met with Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae.
“He greeted everyone and made us all feel included. It was great to be in a space where we could interact with key figures in Canada’s advocacy efforts in such a relaxed setting,” she said.
Hearing Indigenous women leaders in Canada speak about their ongoing efforts to champion justice motivated Bhargava to bridge her work in Botswana with advocacy on a global scale.
“To me, the most important thing for a girl or any child is education. As someone who is privileged enough to go to an institution like Western, I want to use my position to help as many children as possible access education, especially in the Global South.”
Bhargava wants to work with charitable or non-profit organizations in Canada, with hopes of one day returning to the UN – not as a delegate, but as an employee shaping policy for global change.
After graduation this spring, she starts an internship with the Sunnybrook Foundation, working on fundraising events for children.
“I think if us young people – who are the majority in the world now – use our voices for the voiceless, then we will create environments where no one feels pushed to the margins and everyone can thrive.”
