Question: What is the purpose of this Wish Your Way?
Sharleez Moneem: Wish Your Way is granting the last wishes of terminally ill children. We provide them with that last beam of hope and be the voice those kids may no longer have. I think, as teenagers, we are constantly busy. We spend so much time on homework and grades, and everything just piles up. We forget that at the end of the day, there are other people in this world.
Q: How do you plan to give children hope?
Ruthu Rangan: We plan on creating cards, bracelets and donating a lot. We’re gonna have drives and backpacks that we can fill up with cards and give to the kids. We are just trying to donate and fundraise and bring awareness as much as we can by just doing anything that can bring them support and light in their lives. What they’re going through right now is a tough time, so we want to give them anything to make them feel happy and supported.
Q: How has discussing this cause changed the way you view the world around you?
Tanisha Agrawal: I’ve realized that we are so self-focused. When you take a moment to look around you, everyone has something they’re going through, and honestly, it makes me sad. Just being able to help these children and by forming this club, we’ve already done one good thing.
Moneem: There are so many people out there who are suffering and struggling, and when you have this ability to give back, it gives you an opportunity to change the world for the better.
Q: How do you envision this club evolving?
Rangan: We hope that more people will know about the club in the future and that we will offer more volunteer opportunities. We want to share our passion for helping others with everyone.
Agrawal: Not only that, I really hope that we can make a difference in someone’s life.
Moneem: It’s so known for granting the last wishes of children. We hope to empower the community, as Make-A-Wish has done so many times.
Q: What impact do you hope to have on children?
Moneem: [with tears] This hurts to say, but those children don’t know if they’re gonna survive. Make A Wish isn’t just for someone who is sick; these kids are terminally ill. It’s about finding the light in the dark. Just imagine you can’t do anything: you’re not going to think about grades or friends, you’re in total darkness. We want to bring that light to these children.
