Deepesh Raj

Deepesh, a 16-year-old passionate about leveraging technology for social good, is committed to making a positive impact. Currently, he's working with a group of friends to develop Connectree, a platform designed to bridge the gap between volunteers and NGOs in Egypt. The idea emerged from his personal frustration in finding volunteer opportunities, and he realized that the volunteer community needed a more efficient, centralized system to prevent potential volunteers from feeling discouraged. Beyond his work on Connectree, Deepesh also helped redesign his school's primary ICT lab into a modern makerspace. Equipped with the latest EdTech tools, from 3D printers to VR headsets, the space allows students to take ownership of their learning by collaborating on hands-on projects. As Deputy Head Boy, Deepesh has raised over $21,000 for the Baheya Foundation, an organization responsible for the early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Egypt. He organized various "pink days" featuring bake sales, pink-themed games, and the sale of Baheya pins. Additionally, he worked with the Student Leadership team to partner with Misr Kheir, an Egyptian non-profit, to raise $7,600, which was used to provide meals and humanitarian aid to Palestinian families affected by the war in Gaza.