6:30 am, Sunday. Cubbon Park, Bengaluru. Laughter and the scratch of pencils fill the air. Under the shade of towering trees, a group of children sits cross-legged, their imaginations spilling onto the page, some discovering the magic of storytelling for the first time.
At the centre of it all is 16-year-old Vidhi Golchha, a student from The International School Bangalore (TISB) and the founder of CleverBox, a unique initiative that uses creative writing to empower children from underprivileged communities.
“These children have so much potential, and all they need is an opportunity to express themselves,” Vidhi says, her eyes lighting up as she watches one of her students eagerly narrate their story.
For the children from the slums of LR Nagar, a community battling poverty and limited opportunities, these creative writing workshops are more than just an escape — they are a gateway to confidence and self-expression.
A passion turned purpose
Vidhi’s journey with writing began long before CleverBox. “Writing has always been a way for me to make sense of the world,” she shares. “Vidhi as a child, always used to relate things with one another. She also spent most of her childhood reading books,” shares Shikha Golchha, Vidhi’s mother.
Her love for storytelling grew into a desire to help others find their voice and express with no boundaries — a passion that took shape in 2021 when she enrolled for an international course called the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
“I attended the course online and I was introduced to the idea of product development as it helps to see the tangible impact of your ideas. I decided to use creative writing and build a product on the concept that I love,” shares Vidhi.
Winning the third prize for her idea of a creative writing kit, she realised she had the foundation to turn her dream into reality. With the initial validation, Vidhi began developing CleverBox from the prize money she had received, pouring her heart into creating a resource that would make creative writing accessible to young learners.
Along the way, she balanced her academic commitments with her love for literature, volunteering at the Bangalore Literature Festival and even authoring a research paper on how reading fosters empathy and reduces stress, which earned her a presentation spot at the Curiosity Conference at IIT Gandhinagar in 2025.
The birth of CleverBox
CleverBox is a creative writing kit that guides children to frame stories in the best way possible. Cleverbox is based on the Freytag’s triangle or pyramid. “Freytag’s theory includes an introduction, rise, climax, falling action, and resolution, which forms the structure of storytelling,” explains Vidhi.
“This complex theory is typically taught in eighth grade in private schools,” adds Vidhi. “I’ve simplified it to make it more accessible for kids. Essentially, it’s a kit containing flashcards, worksheets, and a tactile tool like clay, allowing the children to easily visualise and shape their story characters,” adds Vidhi.
To refine her kit, Vidhi conducted workshops with children, gathering feedback and observing how the tools helped build their confidence. “I spent close to a year refining the box so that it guides the children better,” shares Vidhi.
Cleverbox has gone through design changes as well. “Initially it was just a plain brown box with a few papers as content. I learnt new digital software and made the packaging look vibrant with animated characters. This increases the appeal and instigates creativity among the children as well,” Vidhi remarks.
Beyond its innovative design, CleverBox priced at Rs 699 per box, embodies a larger mission. A portion of its proceeds goes towards providing Cleverbox free for around 100 underprivileged children enrolled in classes 8 to 10, making it a tool for both creativity and social impact. “Our goal was to make storytelling fun and accessible for all,” she explains.
Transforming the lives of underprivileged children
Vidhi’s most impactful work has been her collaboration with NGOs like Global Concerns India and the Parinaam Foundation to bring the concept of creative writing to the children of Bengaluru.
“When I approached Global Concerns with my idea, they were welcoming and supportive of teaching the underprivileged children the art of creative writing,” shares Vidhi. Collaborating with NGOs was a conscious decision as Vidhi’s aim was to reach out to as many children as possible.
Initially, Vidhi was going in person to their community hall in LR Nagar and teaching the children in a tiny, dim-lighted room. But she realised the need for these children to have different experiences in life as well.
“These workshops aren’t just about writing,” she says. “They’re about giving these children a new space to explore and fresh air to breathe,” she adds.
Every Sunday morning, Vidhi gathers her students in Cubbon Park, guiding them through exercises that unleash their imagination. “We have a one-hour session, where we play games, discuss stories using Cleverbox and have a great time,” says Vidhi with a smile.
Vidhi has also provided each child with a Cleverbox of their own for free, so that they can use their power of creativity anytime. “I always tell my children that there are no right answers in creative writing and they have the power to express their thoughts freely,” she adds.
Zeena Mani, who works at Global Concerns India shares that the children are very excited to learn via the workshop. “The children get ready by 5:30 am in the morning and start to call my number if I haven’t reached their place to pick them up,” shares Zeena.
The results have been extraordinary. From baseline tests to end-line assessments, the children’s improvement is evident — not just in their writing skills but in their confidence. “Vidhi understands the kid’s mood and capability and aligns her classes accordingly. She is very patient and empathetic, which has to be appreciated since she is a kid herself,” Zeena adds.
Each child has written a unique story, reflecting their world through their eyes. “I can also see the children using literary devices like simile and foreshadowing in their stories, which is a great addition for children who don’t get the best coaching for English,” shares Vidhi.
“Vidhi’s work has given these children something invaluable — a sense of self-worth. They’ve come to realise their stories matter, and that’s a gift no one can take away,” adds Zeena. “One parent told me her child, who was once hesitant to write, now spends hours crafting stories. Hearing that is so rewarding,” shares Shikha.
The experience of coming to an open area like such is a rewarding experience for these children. “Last week, a child told me that more than storytelling, she likes the breakfast and juice given post the sessions,” shares Zeena.
Overcoming challenges
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Balancing academics with her entrepreneurial venture has been demanding, and developing a product that resonates with children from diverse backgrounds requires effort. Yet, these challenges have only strengthened Vidhi’s resolve.
“Vidhi is very organised as a person. Journaling helps her to stay on track of her school projects and workshops. I help in coordinating with other NGOs and clients,” shares Shikha.
“The children I work with inspire me,” she says. “Their resilience and creativity remind me why I started CleverBox in the first place. They’ve taught me that the human spirit is incredibly powerful, no matter the circumstances.”
A call to action
Vidhi’s story is a testament to the power of creativity and the ripple effect of one person’s determination to make a difference. Through CleverBox, she is not just teaching children to write stories — she is helping them believe in their dreams and their ability to achieve them.
Vidhi is currently working on publishing their compiled stories through ‘Write it Out’, a milestone that will showcase their creativity to a wider audience.
“In every child’s imagination lies a world of infinite possibilities,” Vidhi says. “All they need is someone to believe in them and the right tools to unlock their potential.”
As Vidhi continues to expand her mission, she aims to introduce Cleverbox in every government school as that would help in learning English as well. She is also in the process of translating Cleverbox to Kannada. “Storytelling is common and equal for all languages,” she asserts.
Her journey serves as a reminder that age is no barrier to creating meaningful change. And for the children of LR Nagar, her work is proof that their stories matter and their voices deserve to be heard.
To learn more about CleverBox or support the initiative, visit their Instagram page @cleverbox.club.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Vidhi Golchha
