NASA Scientist and Record-Breaking Mountaineer Climb for Girls’ Education

In a world where climbing the highest peaks or exploring the deepest realms of space is a reality for a few, two extraordinary women have combined their unique passions to ignite a global movement. Poorna Malavath, the youngest woman to ever summit Mount Everest at just 13 years old, and Kavya Manyapu, a NASA scientist whose work includes designing space suits, have joined forces for a cause close to their hearts. Their campaign, Project Shakthi, is not just about climbing mountains—it’s about breaking barriers and raising money to fund girls’ education.

1. The Challenge of a Virgin Peak

In August 2024, Malavath and Manyapu undertook one of their most challenging adventures yet: climbing a previously untouched 6,012-meter peak in Ladakh, India. The mountain, unmapped and never before conquered, presented a daunting challenge even for the seasoned mountaineer Malavath. The climb was fraught with difficulties—no trails to follow, no previous climbers to learn from, and unpredictable weather conditions that could turn treacherous at any moment.

On the night before their summit attempt, heavy snowfall at their high camp created avalanche conditions, forcing the team to reassess and adapt their plans. “We swiftly regrouped as a team, made a critical safety decision, and prepared ourselves for the next day’s challenge,” Manyapu recalls. For Malavath, this climb provided valuable lessons that she now uses to guide others.

2. Overcoming Doubts and Fears

For Manyapu, who had trained extensively but lacked Malavath’s climbing experience, the climb was a mental and physical test. Throughout the expedition, doubts crept in—what if they couldn’t reach the summit? But every time, the two women encouraged each other, taking it one step at a time. Their motivation? The purpose behind Project Shakthi: “We climb so that girls can read.”

3. The Birth of Project Shakthi

Project Shakthi was born from a shared belief in the power of education to change lives. Reflecting on her own journey from a small village in India to NASA, Manyapu realized she could help girls who lack similar opportunities. Together, Malavath and Manyapu envisioned a project that would not only raise funds for education but also challenge societal norms about what women can achieve.

Since the Right to Education Act was passed in India in 2009, girls’ enrollment in schools has increased, but there is still a significant gender gap, especially in rural areas. Globally, according to the World Bank, only 36% of girls complete lower secondary school in low-income countries, compared to 44% of boys. Project Shakthi aims to change this by sponsoring girls’ education and providing mentorship opportunities.

4. Climbing for a Cause: Future Goals

Having successfully climbed the virgin peak, Malavath and Manyapu are now setting their sights on Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America, standing at 6,961 meters. This climb, scheduled for December 2024, is part of the next phase of Project Shakthi. They are inviting others who share their passion for climbing to join them in this mission to empower girls through education.

5. Expanding Horizons

Project Shakthi has already raised $12,000, and Malavath and Manyapu are using these funds to sponsor girls in their home village. But this is just the beginning. Their goal is to expand the project globally, reaching girls in need of educational opportunities and mentorship. As they continue to climb new heights, these two women are not only proving what girls can do but are also paving the way for future generations to dream bigger.

Malavath’s own journey from a village girl to a record-breaking mountaineer serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that opportunity and education can have on a life. “When I had the chance to climb Mount Everest, my goal was to show that girls are capable of anything,” she says. Now, through Project Shakthi, she and Manyapu are making sure that other girls get the same chance to reach their potential.

This article not only highlights the inspiring story of two trailblazing women but also emphasizes the importance of girls’ education—a cause that has the power to transform lives and societies.power to transform lives and societies.