LIFT Leading India's Future Today
Leading India’s Future Today (LIFT) is dedicated to developing leadership excellence in motivated and talented youth in Tamil Nadu, India. LIFT provides quality education and a home environment for youth with high potential who would typically be denied schooling due to limited access to resources. LIFT students and staff are committed to transforming their society from within to help combat poverty, unemployment, and disease.
Bagavathy grew up in the small village of Thonithurai, India. She was one of five siblings in a family where education was never guaranteed. As a young girl, she constantly wondered whether she would ever be able to finish school or turn her dreams into reality.
Everything changed when she joined LIFT in 6th grade. LIFT didn't just provide financial support — it gave her a community that believed in her, stood beside her, and encouraged her through every difficult moment. Through years of perseverance, she held onto two anchors: the sacrifices of her parents and the trust LIFT placed in her.
On her Convocation Day, she walked onto the stage carrying every sleepless night and silent prayer behind her — and left with the Best Outstanding Student Award, three first-place academic rankings, and a ₹40,000 cash prize.
Today, Bagavathy is a graduate nurse with ambitions that reach beyond her own success. She is learning German to work abroad, with a deep promise to give back to children from difficult backgrounds like hers. At the heart of everything is her family — and the desire to bring them stability, dignity, and freedom to dream.
Her story is a testament to one simple truth: where you come from does not define where you can go.
Financials
Programs
LIFT Summer Camp
The LIFT summer camp is made up of two sessions which are specially crafted programs designed for children and teenagers during their summer holidays. Current and potential new students attend the camp. Potential new students have the LIFT experience to see if they are a fit for the program.
During the first session, the children are brought together to have some fun while learning lifelong lessons. They are taught leadership traits through dance, theatre, art and craft works, painting, and speaking English. Students’ talents are identified. Through these exercises, the students acquire self-confidence and are trained in team building, social skills, communication, time management and the experience of taking responsibility.
The second session focuses on therapy sessions run by a professional. These therapies—anger, grief, anger, and fear—help in releasing the negative impact of past events on the students. This builds confidence leading to successful outcomes.
LIFT Educating Students
LIFT serves, on average, 70 students annually (from primary grades through graduate school) who are selected based on need and potential. Most come from families living deeply below the poverty line; some are orphans.
LIFT primary and high school students attend local, high-achieving schools and reside at the boys or girls dormitory. Transportation between school and the dormitory, nutrition-rich meals, and structured study hours enable the students to focus on their studies in a supportive environment.
Most LIFT college students also reside at the LIFT hostels where their living expenses, tuition, and books are provided by LIFT.
LIFT teaches that each person is a blessing and has gifts to offer the world. With this as the educational foundation, LIFT students learn to see that they are surrounded by gifts and blessings and how to become gifts and blessings to others.
Leadership Training
In addition to their school studies, each LIFT student participates in leadership development activities. In camps and seminars, students receive training in key leadership skills such as problem solving, teamwork, and conflict resolution.
As students progress, they mentor younger students. Ongoing mentorship opportunities help older students practice leadership skills while helping younger students achieve high levels of success in their own studies. Older students are evaluated on their contribution to the success of the students that they mentor.
LIFT is a student-driven program and the Student Council works with the staff to keep the facilities running smoothly, assisting with everything from planning meals to organizing extracurricular activities. The Council ensures that LIFT is a happy, healthy, joyful place for all students.
LIFT Workshops
LIFT’s broader student programming includes health and wellness workshops such as yoga, art, and other expressive practices designed to support students’ emotional well-being and personal growth alongside their academic development.
Volunteering + Events
LIFT Volunteer
LIFT USA’s volunteers are important to the organization. LIFT USA could use your help at the annual fall benefit and at other fundraising events. We are also seeking volunteers to assist in regular outreach activities in support of LIFT. This can be done on the phone and through virtual platforms. If you would like to be a HELP LIFT Volunteer, please contact Jill Dreyer at [email protected].
LIFT Benefit
The Annual LIFT Benefit unites supporters, advocates, and students to foster a more connected and empowering community focused on education and upward mobility. Your support has the power to unlock life changing opportunities for underprivileged students in India.
Your participation helps raise essential funds that go directly toward tuition, school supplies, mentorship programs, and other resources that students might not otherwise access.