IBChangemakers: Using skills for service, empathy, and community impact

He is passionate about learning new things and using his skills to help others. He enjoys projects where he can do something meaningful for the community. Meet Arnav Kumar, a student of MYP-5 at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park. His Service as Action (SAA) Project on Vision for the Blind opened his eyes to the challenge faced by visually impaired children. It made him more empathetic and motivated to use the skills to contribute to society.

In a candid interview, he talks about the use of technology, breaking down barriers, and promoting inclusivity, among other things.

What inspired you to choose Vision for the Blind?

I was initially part of a group working on hydroponics for my SAA, but I didn’t feel deeply connected to the project. Around that time, a new Hindi teacher’s unique teaching style, focused on asking critical questions, using mind maps, and encouraging purpose-driven learning, truly inspired me. One powerful question that stayed with me was: Do all children lack critical thinking skills, and will this kind of learning ever reach them? Motivated by this thought, I decided to leave my SAA group and start a new individual project focused on fostering critical thinking through audiobooks.

 What kind of research did you do to understand the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals?

I researched online articles, interviews, and educational resources about how the visually impaired access information. I also explored existing audiobook platforms to understand what features make them effective.

⁠What was the most difficult challenge you faced during the project, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges was recording clear, consistent audio while keeping it engaging. At first, I struggled with background noise and pacing. I overcame these issues by practising voice modulation, recording sections again, and using simple editing tools to improve quality.

⁠If you had more time or resources, how would you expand or improve this project?

With more time and resources, I would create a large library of audiobooks in multiple languages and even collaborate with organisations that work with visually impaired communities. I would also like to design a platform where these audiobooks can be accessed easily and freely.

⁠In what ways has this project helped you grow personally?

This project taught me empathy by putting myself in the shoes of those with limited access to books. It strengthened my sense of responsibility because I knew the quality of my work mattered to others. It also developed my leadership, since I had to plan, research, and guide the project independently while motivating others to support it.