Hello

My name is Rohan Yalachigere, and I am currently a high school junior in the United States. In the summer of 2023, I traveled to India to visit my grandmother, who lives in a bustling town not too far from the heart of the country. During this visit, one of my cousins invited me to spend a few days in my family’s ancestral village of Yalachigere—a place that, until then, existed only in the stories and memories my grandparents shared with me.

I arrived expecting quiet days and simple routines, but instead I found a connection that would change my perspective forever. As I settled into village life, I met a group of local high school students, and we bonded over games on my iPad. At first, it was just fun—laughter-filled afternoons huddled around a small screen. But soon, I began to realize something deeper: these students didn’t have access to the same resources I took for granted. Their school had no internet connection. Laptops were scarce, and no one had devices they could regularly take home to explore the world beyond their village.

Seeing this firsthand sparked a sense of responsibility and purpose within me. I understood that technology was more than a source of entertainment—it was a gateway to knowledge, a means to bridge gaps in education, and a way to provide endless learning opportunities. Returning home, I decided to act, establishing the Yalachigere Foundation to help provide reliable internet access, laptops, and iPads for the students of this village and beyond. We aim to open new doors, empowering young minds to reach their full potential—no matter where they live.

This is my story, and this is the mission of the Yalachigere Foundation. I invite you to join us as we strive to bring transformative, technology-driven opportunities to underserved communities. Together, we can help the students of Yalachigere discover what lies beyond their horizon.