An Interview With EnVi Crochet
By Saron Hatsey
Student activists have been a key part of numerous social and political movements throughout history. Today, we tend to focus on those in college and higher level education. However, its important to recognise the K-12 advocates seeking to change the world through their activism.
To highlight these voices, I had the opportunity to interview high school students Yalini Gopalswamy, Sara Beg, and Anna Rajesh, the leaders of EnVi Crochet. A Oregon based, teen led non-profit, EnVi is dedicated promoting sustainability through crochet gifts. Since their founding in 2022, EnVi has planted over 2,000 trees across the globe and continues to grow today.
How did y’all get started and where did the idea of EnVi originate?
We started EnVi in our freshman year (Spring of 2022) because we wanted to use a hobby we loved to help make an impact on the community. Since we all loved to crochet and cared very much about the environment and climate change, we thought of creating a nonprofit where we could sell crochet items and raise money to address the issue.
Why environmental activism? What led you to activism in this space?
We realize that climate change is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed soon, especially since we have already begun experiencing its adverse effects. Through EnVi, we wanted to help make a change and leave the world a greener place by directly combatting this issue!
How do you balance EnVi as high school juniors?
It is definitely very hard; we all have multiple commitments and working under time constraints, especially with Mother's Day being right in the middle of AP exams, is hard to balance. However, by staying organized, communicative, and proactive, we are able to work together and fit time in for EnVi. Whenever one of us is not available, we have each others' backs and step in when needed. Our teamwork and supportiveness for each other has gotten us very far and helped us power through busy times!
Do you think EnVi’s mission/ goals have changed over time? If they have, how have they?
Yes; initially, we wanted EnVi to support multiple charities. However, we realized that by specializing in one area only -- environmentalism -- we are able to make a greater impact overall. Hence, EnVi now focuses only on planting trees so we can leave a greater mark on our community.
What do you see for EnVi in the future?
We aspire to continue EnVi on into college and expand our nonprofit nationally! We hope we can establish new branches in different regions and keep our mission thriving for years to come.
What would you say to other students wanting to get started in activism?
Even if it is hard at first and it doesn't seem like you're making much progress, keep going! We started small as well and didn't expect how far EnVi would come. If it weren't for us persevering through the doubt, we wouldn't have ended up where we are now. As long as you keep trying, it will be all worth it in the end!
