By Audrey Willett:
Let's Defeat Bullying is all about spreading awareness against bullying and educating young
people. Please enjoy our interview with founder Krisha Khandelwal!
AW: Tell us all about you and your organization!
KK: Hi! I’m Krisha Khandelwal, and I’m currently a rising sophomore in high school. I am an International Chess Player and an Indian Classical Singer. I’m the founder and executive director of Let’s Defeat Bullying, a global non-profit organization that aims to educate and spread awareness against bullying and encourages children to seek help. Our mission is to provide help to victims who are too afraid to ask for it and to those who are at risk of suicide. We are committed to changing the culture for students across the world through our various programs and social media campaigns. Since our launch back in August 2020, we have impacted 500+ victims and partnered with 30+ schools to provide a safer, anti-bullying school environment.
AW: Why do you think it’s important for your generation to let their voices be heard?
KK: I think that at the end of the day, we are all looking for voices to trust, and so it’s really important for us to be those voices. Gen Z is not just the voice of tomorrow but also the voice of today. There are so many pressing issues that the world is facing right now, and will face later on as well, and having our voices heard, taking a stand, and demanding change is the only way to solve these issues.
AW: Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
KK: I am highly optimistic about the future. Being a part of Gen Z and seeing so many of us advocating for the rights of others, demanding change, and going against what has wrongfully been deemed normal for decades gives me a sense of hope that our future is in the right hands.
AW: What are the most important issues facing our world right now? And in the future?
KK: I think some of the most pressing issues that the world is facing right now are systematic racism, climate change, hate crimes, and a never-ending issue: bullying.
AW: What does your organization offer that helps the world be a better place?
KK: One-fifth of children are bullied in school, and a similar number of adults are bullied in their workplace. Let’s Defeat Bullying works to educate and spread awareness about bullying and provides help to victims in need and at risk of suicide. Our ultimate aim is to provide a safer, anti-bullying environment in all schools across the world.
AW: Will you be voting in the next election?
KK: I most definitely will be!
AW: Please tell us all about your current campaigns, projects, and endeavors. Tell everyone where to find you online and on social platforms.
KK: We offer numerous ways for the local community to get involved! If you are a high school or college undergrad student who is passionate about defeating bullying, you can join our Junior Team or become a Director of your own committee. We are looking for writers, editors, interviewers, transcribers, graphic designers, and more!
You can also become a youth ambassador for Let’s Defeat Bullying, or start a Let’s Defeat Bullying chapter in your city or a club at your school!
As for adults, we have a mentorship program wherein we are looking for mentors who are 25 years+ and have studied psychology or mental health and can provide help to victims of bullying.
To all victims, if you have ever been or are being bullied, Let’s Defeat Bullying is here for you! There are numerous ways through which you can get professional help from our organization! This includes our mentorship program, buddy system, anonymous advice form, and more!
Check out our website to learn more about all of these programs!
Follow us on Instagram (@letsdefeatbullying) and Twitter (@defeatbullying1) to stay updated with our work!
Audrey Willett is a southern California sophomore in high school. She is an activist and aspiring filmmaker, and the Social Media Outreach coordinator for The Gen Z Collective.
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