Kaya Shah of Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School, Mays Landing, stands with her teacher, Alice Dudo, left, and principal, Linda Pirolli. “I just want to help people in need,” said Kaya, who wanted to celebrate her 9th birthday by donating food to those in need. (Photo by Dave Hernandez)
Kaya Shah had just one request for her 9th birthday: to feed others. She said she didn’t need anything for herself. So Kaya made a grocery list for her mother, Akanksha, that included peanut butter and jelly, bread, cereal, chips, water bottles, bananas and individually wrapped pieces of cake. Birthday cake.
The Shahs made 58 sandwiches, and Kaya decorated paper bags to hold the food, with twin sister Raya right by her side. Raya, who has autism, cannot speak, but Akanksha says the twins have their own language and that Kaya prays for her sister every day. Kaya’s bags include an inspirational quote and the names of both girls, connected by a heart.
Kaya is a third grader at Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School in Mays Landing. She said she learned in her religion class that “if you are being kind to others you are doing the great Commandment, and that’s how you love God above all things.”
The Shahs practice Hinduism as a family. Akanksha, who has warm memories of her own Catholic school education in India, sees many links between the two religions.
“We share the same values,” she said, recalling the way her grandparents taught her the value of feeding those who have less. “We want to instill Kaya with the right foundation. Tomorrow, she will pass it on to others.”
With immunity concerns for Raya, the Shahs chose remote learning for Kaya. She is one of five remote learners in a class of 18. By all accounts, remote learning has not dampened her academic abilities or enthusiasm. She said math is her favorite subject, and she hopes to be an astronaut.
For Akanksha, a silver lining to remote learning is the connection she feels to Kaya’s class. “As a mom I normally don’t get to see the other side. With the pandemic, I actually see more. I get a little window,” she said, referring to Kaya’s class and classmates. “We try to find the positive.”
With her signature bags and food supply ready for delivery in Atlantic City, Kaya masked up for a short birthday visit with her teacher, Alice Dudo, and classmates.
Dudo described Kaya as “very aware of people and social justice,” a student who takes action. Kaya previously spearheaded two other food donation efforts.
“I just want to help people in need,” said Kaya.
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