At just 16, Vidhi Golchha is proving that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change. A student at The International School Bangalore (TISB), Vidhi has combined her passion for storytelling with social impact by founding CleverBox, a creative writing kit designed to help children—especially those from underprivileged backgrounds—unlock their imagination and express their thoughts freely.
The Birth of CleverBox: A Passion for Writing Meets Purpose
Vidhi’s love for writing began early. As a child, she immersed herself in books and often found herself crafting stories to make sense of the world around her. This passion took a new turn in 2021 when she enrolled in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA), an international program that nurtures young innovators. Inspired by what she learned, she conceptualized CleverBox, a structured yet fun tool to make creative writing more accessible.
Her idea won third place in the competition at YEA, earning her seed funding. Instead of stopping there, she worked tirelessly to refine and develop the product, ensuring that it was engaging and effective for children from different backgrounds.
What is CleverBox?
CleverBox is more than just a writing kit—it’s a storytelling companion. Based on Freytag’s Pyramid, a storytelling structure that includes an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, CleverBox simplifies a complex literary theory into an easy-to-understand format.
The kit includes flashcards, worksheets, and clay tools to help children visualize their characters and build narratives creatively. Initially designed as a simple box with papers, CleverBox evolved over time with more engaging packaging and elements that spark creativity. Priced at ₹699, every purchase contributes towards providing free kits for underprivileged children.
Bringing Storytelling to Underprivileged Communities
Understanding that access to quality education and creative outlets is limited for children from low-income communities, Vidhi took her initiative beyond personal sales. She partnered with NGOs like Global Concerns India and the Parinaam Foundation to introduce creative writing workshops for children living in LR Nagar, a community struggling with poverty and limited educational opportunities.
What began as small in-person sessions in cramped community halls soon expanded to Cubbon Park, Bengaluru’s lush green oasis. Every Sunday at 6:30 AM, Vidhi and her team conduct workshops where children not only learn the art of storytelling but also experience a refreshing change of environment.
“These sessions aren’t just about writing. They’re about giving these children confidence and a platform to express themselves,” says Vidhi.
Impact and Recognition
Vidhi’s initiative has seen remarkable success. The children she teaches have shown a tremendous improvement in confidence and storytelling skills, with many incorporating literary devices like similes and foreshadowing into their writing. Some students who were once hesitant to express themselves now eagerly craft their own stories.
Her work has been recognized at various platforms, including the Bangalore Literature Festival, where she volunteered, and the Curiosity Conference at IIT Gandhinagar, where she presented a research paper on how reading fosters empathy and reduces stress.
Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
Balancing academics with her entrepreneurial venture hasn’t been easy. Developing a product that resonates across different demographics and managing logistics for workshops while keeping up with schoolwork is a challenge. However, Vidhi remains determined, crediting her love for journaling and planning as tools that help her stay organized.
“My biggest challenge was ensuring that CleverBox was simple enough for all children to use while still being an effective learning tool,” she explains.
The Future of CleverBox
Vidhi is now working on expanding CleverBox’s reach further. She aims to introduce the kit in government schools across Karnataka to help students improve their English skills through storytelling. Additionally, she is in the process of translating CleverBox into Kannada to make it more accessible to a wider audience.
Another milestone in her journey is ‘Write It Out’, a publication initiative that will showcase the stories written by underprivileged children who have participated in her workshops. This step will not only highlight their creative potential but also give them a sense of pride and recognition for their work.
A Young Leader with a Vision
Vidhi’s journey is a testament to the power of youth-driven change. She has not only built a product but has also inspired a movement—one that empowers children to believe in their own voices and abilities. Her story reminds us that sometimes, all a child needs is a little encouragement and the right tools to unlock a world of possibilities.
For those who wish to support Vidhi’s initiative, CleverBox can be found on Instagram at @cleverbox.club.
Vidhi Golchha’s work proves that with passion and perseverance, even the youngest among us can make a lasting impact. And for the children of LR Nagar, her efforts have given them more than just writing skills—they’ve been given the gift of storytelling and self-belief.
Resources for the Article
- Vidhi’s Social Media & Website
- Instagram: @cleverbox.club (Check for posts, updates, and impact stories)
- Website
- Interviews & Direct Communication
- Reaching out to Vidhi
- The Better India article.
