Pothula sai

Carrying the Torch: How Sphoorti Shaped Sai Pothula's Life Mission

Sai's story began amidst financial hardship. Raised by farmer parents in Hyderabad, he and his brother were sent to a Christian missionary school far from home, at the age of 4. The hostel conditions were bleak - with non-nutritive food and constant pilfering of basic necessities. However, a spark of academic brilliance flickered within Sai. He excelled in his studies but was forced to show his answer papers to other students and earned 10 rupees per paper. All the while, he shouldered the responsibility of caring for his younger sibling.

When Sai was in 7th grade, hope arrived in the form of Sphoorti Foundation. Sai's mother tirelessly petitioned the founder, Mr. Srivyal Vuyyuri, until he agreed to take them both in. Here, education came alive. Literature classes involved movie analysis and scriptwriting, and academic competitions like Learnasium, where Sai secured first place, fueled his confidence. The foundation fostered a sense of belonging and kindness, replacing the stress of his earlier life with a supportive environment. He even blossomed into a leader, taking initiative to show visitors around. Sai described Sphoorti as, “A luxurious life that nurtured dreams”.

During his 12th grade, Sai set his sights on prestigious colleges like BITS Pilani and VIT. He approached Mr. Srivyal, whom he lovingly called "Mamaiya," for help with coaching fees for the entrance exams. Mamaiya provided the funds and even sent him on his college trips. This helped Sai get some exposure to the outside world and helped learn communication skills.

Despite his dedication, Sai managed to score 800/1000, which didn’t help him in qualifying for BITS Pilani. Dejected, Sai turned back to Mamaiya, who motivated him to pursue NCC and a Bachelor's degree at a top university. However, in his final year, managing both academics and NCC with his mother's declining health became difficult. He completed his NCC certificate but failed his final degree examination. But this didn't stop Sai from pursuing his dreams.

Stepping out of Sphoorti, Sai embarked on a journey of self-reliance. He began as a Zomato delivery boy, gaining valuable lessons about customer interaction, business models, and professionalism. This experience propelled him forward, leading him to apprenticeships and eventually a full-time team lead position at GenPact. Currently, he works as a Query Management Associate at Accenture. 

Today, Sai embodies the values instilled by Sphoorti. He lives in a rented space, pays his bills, and embraces practices like meditation and yoga for inner peace. To further up-skill himself, he is currently pursuing a certification course in Artificial Intelligence with a startup incubated by IIT Madras. His desire to empower others led him to become a social investor in Rang De, a platform that supports rural entrepreneurs.

Sai's message to future Sphoorti students is a testament to the foundation's impact: "Dream big, for Sphoorti will give you wings. Seek support, be it for mental health, sports, or career. And never forget the opportunities you've received."

Mamaiya stands tall as Sai's biggest role model. His guiding principles – to be observant and serve wherever possible – resonate deeply with Sai. Witnessing Mamaiya's dedication firsthand, Sai still wonders: "How can one person's efforts impact so many lives?" The answer, it seems, lies in the countless success stories nurtured within the walls of Sphoorti Foundation, Sai's story being a shining example.