Today we’d like to introduce you to Mischa Wijesekera.
Hi Mischa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Mischa Wijesekera, and I’m 16 years old. Growing up, from Percy Jackson and the Olympians to The Hunger Games, my mind never failed to be freed and empowered from reading books. The characters within my favorite books showed me how to challenge the world, encouraged me to put my best foot forward, and instilled self-confidence to empower me and those around me. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I transformed my passion for reading into fostering a passion for reading in others.
Long before COVID-19 exposed flaws within the educational system, there has always been a stark difference among libraries in schools. Across the world, while schools in more affluent areas have had the luxury of housing the newest New York Times Best Sellers, many schools in less affluent areas can’t even fathom having a library, let alone a full-time librarian to acquire books for the library’s collection. Happi Readers, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization donating books to underserved communities, and Kookies ‘N More, a baking business selling scrumptious cookies and cupcakes, became the mechanism for me to address the declining literacy rates and instill hope in young readers.
Most of all, as a journalist and storyteller, I enjoy hearing the stories of those who I help. Notably, through facilitating book donations to all 50 states and half a dozen countries and counting, I’ve heard the stories of those who’ve fallen into the forgotten cracks of society – from a one-room schoolhouse in Wyoming that does daily bear and mountain lion drills to a forgotten school in Mexico that only has one computer, but greatly appreciates English audiobooks to a school in Starbuck, Washington, that is so small that they joke about dropping the “s.” Without a doubt, there are countless more communities to help and an infinite number of stories left to tell in the years to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Founding a nonprofit organization and a baking business has been a challenging task. From filing federal paperwork to navigating the challenges of locating underserved schools, the never-ending process manages to keep me up at night for nights on end. While I’ve always enjoyed a challenge and relish the opportunity to try new experiences, I initially struggled with the sheer idea of creating a baking business and non-profit organization.
Majority of decisions inevitably revolve around funding for books and baking. Fortunately, friends and family became the lynch pin to facilitate book donations in the early phase of Happi Readers. Months later, cookie and cupcake sales from Kookies ‘N More allowed Happi Readers to maximize book donations. Over the past year, cookie and cupcake sales from Kookies ‘N More not only satisfied stomachs within my community but also quenched the minds of children around the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The one factor that makes my journey with Happi Readers and Kookies ‘N More the most fascinating is that I’m simply a 16 year old attempting to make a difference within underserved communities. Within the classroom, as a student, I strive to absorb as much knowledge as possible. Outside of the classroom, whether through my endeavors with Happi Readers or Kookies ‘N More, my goal is never to collect accolades, but rather to change as many lives as possible.
Furthermore, I’m currently in the process of launching a website called Happi Learners with hundreds of hours of courses for children to learn English and form a more advanced vocabulary. The possibilities are truly endless with a book in hand and an imaginative mind.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My parents never fail to remind me of my not so favorite childhood memory. When I was five years old, I enjoyed ballet and, as a budding ballerina, eagerly signed up for the ballet performance at my preschool. My mother, father, brother, and grandmother attended and excitedly waited to see me perform after months and months of preparation. With my family standing enthusiastically, flowers in hand, I walked onto the middle of the dance floor wearing my new pink tutu and sparkly tiara. Then, I stood and stood and stood. After what felt like a million years, my teacher, who by now had noticed my attack of stage fright, asked me if I wanted to sit in the corner while the others performed. To everyone’s surprise, I said “Yes.” For the entire performance, with my family gawking, I sat in the corner and watched the performance. The rest of the story is history. Over the years, my not so favorite childhood memory has become my favorite childhood memory, serving as a reminder of how long I have come from the five year old who refused to budge from her corner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.happireaders.com
- Instagram: @happireaders
- Twitter: @happireaders
