Star Power: Abhijay Potluri

Meet Service Star Abhijay Potluri, 14, who has completed several service projects. (He’s also a former TFK Kid Reporter.) Abhijay started a nonprofit called Kids Who Teach. And he helped organize a fundraiser to benefit people impacted by a fire near his home, in Boxborough, Massachusetts. TFK reader Aadhav Bhaskaran spoke with Abhijay about his ongoing efforts.

What inspired you to start Kids Who Teach?

I’ve always liked knowing how things work. My brother and I used to play I Spy when we were little. As I got older, I started spotting real problems the same way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned coding, and realized kids could actually build things that help people.

You organized a fundraiser benefiting people impacted by a fire. What was that like?

I was not affected by the fire, but I saw families struggling. Kids in my school became homeless. What stuck with me was seeing every age show up: fourth graders donating next to adults. It taught me that a small community can make a real difference.

What’s the hardest part of doing all this while you’re still a kid?

Time management. School, sports, and my projects all pile up on the same day. People often think kids cannot make real change because we are young. That gets to me. But when I plan out my day, I get things done and still have fun.

What’s your biggest service-related accomplishment so far?

Getting to teach coding, public speaking, and problem-solving to kids in India, Indonesia, Uganda, and the U.S. Reaching that many different places is what makes me proudest.

What would you tell kids who want to take action in their community?

The hardest part is figuring out where to start. Once I make a plan or a timeline, it gets a lot easier. You just need to take the first step.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.