Changemaker Spotlight – Srinjay Mukherjee

“My father’s words ‘Try away and if it doesn’t work out, make a way’ guide me whenever I face challenges.”

~ Srinjay Mukherjee, Borderless Reformer

Meet Srinjay, our changemaker from Doha studying in Grade 11 at Monarch International School who reiterates borders are for nations and not change-making.

Srinjay’s earliest memories of being a privileged child go back to his 5th birthday celebration at an orphanage in India, where another child too had their birthday. It turned into a joint celebration of cake cutting. The orphanage staff had enlightened him about the lives of such underprivileged children and encouraged him to bring the attention of the world to them for a helping hand. The words of the staff lingered on even after he left for Doha with his family. Years later, through TribesforGOOD, he helped several such young children with his educational privileges. He conducted workshops on Design Thinking, a new-age framework that empowers anyone with a problem-solving mindset. He conducted workshops for students in Grades 8 and 9 with ThinkSharp Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Mumbai. His workshops inspired children to learn more about the mindset of creators and innovators.

Srinjay’s Reflections

The program was an exhilarating experience as it taught me a wholesome way to change-making as we can’t help everyone at once. Through the project, I learned the step-by-step approach to creating change. As the quote goes, ‘The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet,’ I think the roots of change-making are hard but the results are totally worth it. The students weren’t much participative in the first workshop. Soon, as a team, we figured out how we could make it more engaging for them. The rest of the workshops were exciting. I could see the impact being created when they asked us many questions and grasped the concepts well. They even participated in the activities zealously. It reaffirmed my belief that children are generally enthusiastic to learn and that with education, we can help people move out of their poverty.

Influencing Change in Doha

A passionate changemaker, Srinjay volunteered with Doha Environmental Actions Project (DEAP Qatar) on numerous beach cleanup drives to excavate several kilograms of plastic debris. Later he chose to work with TribesforGOOD as opportunities for community impact involving children were limited in Doha for students. While he acknowledges that collective effort can bring humongous change, he also believes that one person can still make significant change — even if it may not be possible to measure it always. His community service has inspired some of his peers at school to try something similar. A schoolmate went on to initiate a fundraiser for the rehabilitation efforts of the 2023 Syria-Turkey earthquake survivors. He says that the impression of such humanitarian initiatives on our own souls is enough reason to engage in social impact projects. Srinjay looks forward to working on causes related to international peace, the protection of religious minorities and of course, education & environment.

Like Srinjay, get involved to

●    Teach Design Thinking and other 21st-century skills with fun activities.

●    Empower children with access to the modern education system and break their poverty cycle.

●    Inspire peers to look at social impact beyond borders and put their privileges to good use.

Applications are open for Global Challenges & Social Justice Summer Programs.