At Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA (VFF USA), we are driven by a mission to create a more just and inclusive world—and we believe youth play a vital role in that vision. Among the exceptional young changemakers we’ve had the privilege to work with, Srila Gangalakunta stands out as a voice of both passion and purpose.

A rising senior at Plano East Senior High School, Srila is one of the founding leaders who helped shape VFF USA’s Youth Leadership Council. After her transformative experience with RDT’s robotics program, she recognized the need to mobilize others to generate support for the cause she had become passionate about—creating opportunities for students in inclusive schools in rural India.

A Journey That Started with Robots

Srila’s involvement with VFF began in 2021, but it was during a robotics initiative later on that her journey took a transformative turn. 

As part of her team’s initiative, she helped introduce and teach robotics to students in inclusive schools in India—many of whom were hearing and visually impaired and came from under-resourced rural communities. What started as a remote mentorship effort soon evolved into something deeper: a firsthand understanding of how creativity and opportunity could unlock futures, even in the most challenging environments. After raising funds by selling bracelets handmade by female artisans with disabilities in India, she helped provide a robotics kit to a second inclusive school. During her visits, she worked directly with students with disabilities and guided them step-by-step in building and programming robots. 

“I realized that students just like me—full of curiosity and dreams—were facing entirely different realities simply because of where they were born,” Srila reflected. “That understanding changed me. It made me want to do more than just observe. I wanted to be a part of the solution.”

Whenever she travels to India Andhra Pradesh with her family, Srila makes it a point to meet with students whose lives are being touched by VFF’s programs. “Sitting with students in rural India incited the realization that we’re connected, not by privilege or circumstance, but by shared ambition,” she shared. “They want to learn, grow, and succeed just like we do. They just need access.”

From Understanding to Action

Srila transformed that realization into impact. Her deep connection to the cause naturally led her to become a passionate advocate, and this passion drove her to generate support for VFF USA’s campaigns for students with disabilities from inclusive schools during India Giving Day in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, through personal outreach and awareness-building efforts, she engaged 178 people, exceeding the number of donors engaged by every other organization in the campaign, and helping VFF USA secure an additional $3,000 grant for inclusive education programs through the India Philanthropy Alliance. Rather than focusing solely on fundraising, she focused on sharing stories—inviting friends, classmates, and community members to understand the challenges faced by students in rural India.  Impressed by her creative approach to community engagement, the Indian Philanthropic Alliance invited her as a panelist for a national conference attended by non-profit organization leaders from across the country to share her experiences and inspire the next generation of youth leaders.

The Youth Leadership Council that she helped establish grew directly from this grassroots awareness work, as more young people wanted to join her mission of supporting students who simply needed access to opportunities. In the summer of 2024, Srila volunteered at Rural Development Trust (RDT) in India, where she met the students, whose lives were being changed through the very programs she supported. From classrooms to community centers, she immersed herself in understanding what sustainable development looks like on the ground, and how young leaders around the world can play a role in it.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Through the Youth Leadership Council, Srila continues to work on bringing together high school and college students across the U.S. who are passionate about inclusion, equity, and global development. Her approach embodies the belief that young people are not just future leaders—they’re leaders right now.

Whether she’s mentoring peers, performing songs, or competing in robotics tournaments, Srila carries a quiet strength and a contagious energy that inspires those around her. She approaches leadership not with hierarchy, but with humility and a deep belief that change begins with understanding.

Why This Matters

Srila’s work reminds us that you don’t have to wait until you’re older to make a difference. You don’t need a title or a platform—just a willingness to care, to act, and to bring others with you.

At a time when the world needs empathetic, globally minded leaders more than ever, Srila Gangalakunta is already answering the call—with wisdom beyond her years, and a heart that knows no borders.

We’re honored to work alongside her at VFF USA—and we can’t wait to see where her journey leads next.

Want to join VFF USA’s Youth Leadership Council in different cities? Connect with us (contact@vffusa.org) and learn how to join the Youth Leadership Council. Together, we’re creating a future led by compassion, equity, and action.