When most teenagers are navigating schoolwork, hobbies, and friendships, Saloni More was busy building an organisation that would change lives. At just 15 years old, she co-founded the Aboli Foundation alongside her sister Saniya—a mission born out of empathy, purpose, and a deep connection to her family roots in Mahim, a small village north of Mumbai. Today, what began as a school project has blossomed into a recognised NGO impacting hundreds of children in Maharashtra’s Palghar district.
Saloni More: A Seed of Compassion That Grew into a Movement
In 2016, while studying at KIS International School, Saloni was tasked with completing the IB Middle Years Programme Personal Project—a year-long independent initiative. Instead of choosing an easy path, she turned her focus to the children of Mahim’s Zilla Parishad (ZP) schools, where resources were scarce and opportunities even scarcer.
Her vision was clear: provide school supplies to students who often had to make do without. But as she began interacting with the children, she quickly realised the need went far beyond stationery. Many faced health issues without access to proper care. Others were stuck in generational cycles of agricultural labour because they couldn’t see alternative career possibilities.
That was the moment the Aboli Foundation truly took root—not just as an education initiative, but as a lifeline for health, empowerment, and opportunity.
The Meaning Behind ‘Aboli’
The name “Aboli” carries a poetic duality. It’s the name of a flower found in Mahim, but in Marathi, it also means “unspoken.” For Saloni and Saniya, it symbolises the silent struggles of rural children—issues rarely discussed, but deeply felt. The Foundation’s mission became giving voice to those unspoken needs.
Saloni More: Projects That Change Lives
The Aboli Foundation works through two flagship programmes:
1. Project Vistaar (Education Expansion)
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Access to Resources: Providing quality teaching materials and school supplies.
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Field Trips for Exposure: Annual visits to Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Nehru Planetarium to broaden horizons.
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Infrastructure Support: Maintaining and upgrading school buildings to create better learning environments.
2. Project Arogya (Healthcare)
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Annual Health Camps: Involving paediatricians and dentists to examine over 100 students from multiple ZP schools.
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Health Records & Treatment: Recording vital statistics, providing medicine, and offering referrals when needed.
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Health Education: Teaching hygiene practices to promote long-term well-being.
Saloni’s future plans include astronomy nights under the stars and tree-planting drives to instill a sense of responsibility toward the planet.
Recognition for Impact
In 2022, Saloni received the Ellie Maxwell Award from Firefly International, acknowledging the Foundation’s remarkable contribution to vulnerable communities. The £1000 grant supported the annual health camp, making tangible differences in children’s lives.
Her achievements don’t end there. She has been ranked the top flautist in Thailand twice by Trinity College London, completed KUMON Level O Mathematics, and earned the EARCOS Global Citizenship Award—showcasing her excellence across multiple disciplines.
Fuelled by Purpose and Role Models
When asked what keeps her going, Saloni’s answer is simple yet profound:
“If I don’t do something about this inequality, then who will?”
Inspired by Malala Yousafzai, Saloni believes that youth is not a limitation but a powerful asset in driving change. She embodies the courage to challenge norms and the discipline to turn vision into reality.
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