When I was 10, if you asked me what a hero was I could potentially give you 1 of 2 answers:

The first would probably be a man from Krypton or lucky teenager who gained superpowers from a radioactive spider bite. 

Or.

I would tell you that it was my blue collar parents, who raised me to be a hard working and charitable human being.

At age 22, I will still give you these answers but now there’s a third choice.

The kids from NINEISMINE. 

What is NINEISMINE, you ask?

NINEISMINE is an advocacy campaign that started in 2006 by over 4,000 Indian children who are dedicated to ending the poverty-based social exclusion that affects millions in India.

They seek to make government in India fulfill their promise to allocate 6% of the country’s GDP to education and another 3% towards health.

It’s all in their manifesto here.

They have increased awareness about their cause through events such as signature campaigns, UN lobbying and a successful public days of action such as this one: 

So basically, we’re talking about an India made by the children for the children.

So why do I bring this up?

This week, there will be a delegation of 15 members of the organization coming to engage with world leaders in the upcoming UN General Assembly. 

These young men and women will speak on their experiences with issues such as the need for quality education, the importance of child and maternal health and the reduction of gender inequality. 

By doing nothing but speaking their truths and telling their stories, NINEISMINE will no doubt have an effect of the Global Goals. 

I know this because they had a tremendous effect on me.

I had the pleasure of meeting them not only once at my college, but again earlier this year when I was on a mission trip in Kolkata & New Delhi.

Along with failed attempts of teaching me how to rollerblade and unicycle they taught me this valuable lesson:

Children are not our future. They are our present. 

They can be emissaries of change, beacons of hope and give a voice to those who can’t speak. 

In my book that’s just as heroic as any brightly covered person in spandex.

Don’t you agree?

If you are as inspired by these children as I am, TAKE ACTION NOW and tell global leaders leaders to support to Global Partnership for Education in 2015.