Watching the children leave their worries behind, laughing, and embracing every moment was deeply inspiring. It showed me that, despite life’s challenges, we have the strength to rise above and find joy.
~ Babu Seenappa
When Babu first arrived at Camp Rainbow, a SeriousFun program run in partnership with the renowned healthcare and research organization YRGCARE in southern India, he never imagined how much one week could change the course of his life. Living with HIV, he had grown up facing stigma and uncertainty about his future.
But at camp, Babu found something different: acceptance, encouragement, and the freedom to simply be himself.
Earning “Superstar of the Day” was more than a fun camp award. It was a moment that sparked something lasting. That recognition reminded him he was capable of more than the world expected.
Meet Babu
After camp, with a newfound belief in himself, Babu earned a master’s degree in social work, completed numerous global marathons, and co-founded the Rishi Foundation. Through its programs, he now provides education, advocacy, and mentorship that empower disadvantaged children to lead healthy, fulfilling lives and become agents of change. He is especially proud of the Positive Running Program, which he designed to teach children that “HIV does not have to hinder their dreams, proving that they can be winners in life, not just in races.”
In fact, in 2024, Babu was awarded the Youth Hub Seed Grant from the International AIDS Society, selected from a global pool of candidates for his exceptional commitment to improving the health of children with HIV. The grant will help expand the Positive Running Program into four districts across Tamil Nadu, promoting running as a path to better health and well-being.
Babu’s story is one of resilience and purpose. It is a reminder of what can happen when a child is given the chance to believe in themselves. The spark that began at a SeriousFun camp has grown into a movement touching lives across India. His journey shows that the lessons of camp don’t end when the week does. They live on in every child who carries that courage forward, shaping communities and futures long after the campfires fade.
