By: Amrita Ganapathy

Growing up in America as part of an immigrant family from India was a privilege that I never understood as a child. I only understood being different from everyone else and just wanting to fit in. As I grew up and matured, however, I realized that fitting in with people will only get you so far in life. So many opportunities are about standing out and being different, and I am learning to embrace that.

I’ve lived in Buffalo almost all of my life, and I would say I am lucky and privileged to live in a city with such incredible diversity. During my time in this city, I found myself embracing both my heritage and an appreciation for the rich cultures and backgrounds that call Buffalo their home. This city’s cultural festivals and showcases of different arts are a wonderful window and just a glimpse into what we have to offer. I’m thankful to Buffalo for being incredibly welcoming, and the inclusivity here has deepened my pride in my roots and has also left me open-minded and wanting to make a difference of my own.

My family and I have been a part of a Tamil organization (called Buffalo Niagara Tamil Mandram) in Buffalo for many years, and during these years we have organized many events for the South Indian community in Buffalo. During one of these events, I had the honor of introducing the different events and being an MC with one of my friends. Along with this organization, my family and I are members of the IAB (Indian Association of Buffalo). I have danced at events for both of these organizations and even promoted these events to my non-Indian friends, who love the rich culture and entertainment offered at these events. Indian culture, specifically South Indian culture, is often overlooked or misunderstood, so I know that these kinds of events in which anyone and everyone can take part are important because they educate and help people understand the history of our culture.

One way I have given back to my community is by volunteering for countless hours at different events. One major event that I constantly volunteered for during my high school career was my local food pantry. I volunteered there for many consecutive weekends throughout my high school career. I met so many new people with different backgrounds and cultures who have recently immigrated to America in hopes of a better life and even escaped from their countries and homes because of dangerous environments. Some of them didn’t even speak proper English and would often just communicate by pointing and using their hands. I couldn’t even imagine what life in a new country would be like if they didn’t know the language. A common theme I noticed among these people is that most of them moved to give their children better lives, and I realized that my parents have done the same for my sister and me, and I have so much to be thankful to them for that.

A different way I have already given back to my community is by being a mentor and role model for the younger members. I tutored many kids through a club my friends and I started at my school called More to Learn WNY. I tutored kids in Spanish, which I learned throughout my many years in school, taking it as my second language of choice. I taught them about the culture and language through engaging games and trivia. These kids were much younger than when I started learning Spanish in fifth grade. Since they were much younger, I had to find different, engaging ways to teach them Spanish. My friends and I devised different games and activities for these kids and me to do together, including online educational games that teachers often use like Blooket, Quizlet, and Kahoot. This is one way my friends and I initiated continued education and learning during tough times for families (COVID-19).

Giving back to my community has always been something I have loved doing, and as I get older I am exposed to more opportunities, and the possibilities are limitless. At UB (University at Buffalo), I have attended and taken part in many events that showcase international traditions, including Indian as well. I hope to participate in many more of these events during my time at UB and continue to do so afterward. I hope to one day encourage young teenagers to volunteer in events like these and embrace their rich cultures.