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Young charity activist rewarded by Olympics

A 13-year-old UNICEF children’s ambassador, youth activist, best-selling author and fundraiser has carried the Olympic flame through Toronto.

Bilaal Rajan was rewarded with the Olympic honour for his activism, having already released a book (Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever) and raising millions of dollars for children’s causes.

Rajan said: “Carrying the torch was an amazing experience and an incredible honour.”

He added: “The Olympics have such an important message of international cooperation, peace and friendship, and just to participate in this event was overwhelming.”

Although barely a teen, Rajan’s incredible charity story actually started at the age of four, when he sold oranges door-to-door the raise money for the victims of the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, India.

At seven, he founded Making Change Now, an organisation designed to raise awareness of youth and environmental issues.

“From an early age,” says Rajan, “I could see that millions of other young people around the world didn’t have it so good. I realised two specific things: that I had to get involved and make a difference, and that I would need a lot of help in order to make that change.”

At that age, my parents were over the moon if I emptied the dishwasher without moaning.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .