I am Ashleen Khela, 12 years old, one of the youngest
published authors in Australia and the recipient of NSW Women Of The Year Award
2025 (The Ones to Watch aged 7-15 years category) . I am raising funds by
selling my book ‘Journey Through Her Jersey’ for $20 to support UN Women
Australia so they can continue their fight to progress rights of women and
girls around the world, especially in countries where the need is greatest. I
believe in women’s and underprivileged children’s rights and want to highlight
social justice issues through my writings.
Inspired by real life confrontations and witnessing social disparities, I
decided to write with the goal of raising awareness about underprivileged
children living by the roadside hovels, whom, I met in Punjab during a trip to
India at the age of 7, just before the Covid-19 lockdowns. Running towards me
like a sheep flock to get a single banana, these underprivileged kids of
interstate labourers living in roadside slums of Punjab inspired me to help
them, when I went to donate them a few dozens of bananas. It showed me that in
some parts of the world such as rural India, a single banana is a big treat and
there are huge social disparities in the world. I wanted to help those children
and I could not think of a better way than writing to raise funds for them. At
age 11, I published my debut book ‘17 Stories’ to raise funds for Australian
charities and underprivileged children of developing nations. Determined to
support myself, eschewing financial support from my parents, for two years, I
embarked on a unique fundraising journey of my own to raise money towards the
publication of my first book. I raised my own funds by recycling bottles and
cans through the Return and Earn program and selling plants to meet the
publication costs of my debut book ‘17 stories’. This is how I began my journey
through literature for community causes.
My second book, ‘Journey Through Her Jersey’ sheds light on neglected women and
girls’ rights. It is an inspirational novella that follows a girl who has to
overcome significant gender bias and hurdles to pursue her talents and dreams
as a soccer player.
Every day, UN Women Australia is working around the world to help underprivileged
or neglected women or girls in need to realise their full potential by advocating
for their rights worldwide. UN Women Australia works hard to ensure needy women
and girls are safe and protected from harm and is always there during times of crisis
and emergency.
Please buy my book ‘Journey Through her Jersey’ to help me support needy women
and girls through UN Women Australia. Once you have made the donation, please
email me or text me your postal address and I will post you my books with
special thanks. My email is ariesash1204@gmail.com
and my web site is www.ashleenkhela.com
Thank you to our Sponsors
$30
Darren Tiago
$23
Jasvir Singh Chauhan
Dear Ashleen Khela, you are an amazing young girl making a real difference through your writings and charity work in Australia and around the world. Thank you for your kind donation of laptops, stationary and books to our school here in Punjab (India). Our students loved reading both of your books written by you. Keep doing the great work for India, Australia and the globe.
$23
Harjit Singh
Bravo Ashleen! You are a true inspiration for all especially young children. Your philanthropic work in India and around the globe at such young age is highly commendable. Myself, fellow teachers and our students here in Kallowal Senior Secondary School in India were highly amazed and motivated by listening to your incredible speech. Thanks for donating laptops, books and stationary items to our school. '17 Stories' and 'Journey Through Her Jersy' books written by you will keep inspiring many of our students for many years.
$23
Devinder Singh
Great work Ashleen Khela. Keep it up. Your donation of laptops , stationary and books to our school in India is much appreciated by all of our staff and students. You are a role model and your work is inspirational for many around the world. Your books are very well written and illustrations by you take them to the next level. We look forward to seeing you again during your next trip to India
$23
Devinder Devinder
Great work Ashleen. The books written by you are read with lot of interest by our students. Our school is truly grateful to you for your very generous donation of warm clothes, fruits, stationary and laptops that you bought with your book sales. You are a role model for all especially for diaspora living abroad. God bless you. We hope to see you again in future.
$23
Manjinder Kaur Jalandhar India
Extremely proud of you Ashleen. Anyone can write at young or old age but what makes you different is your using your writings to raise funds for needy and giving back to your community. Remaining intact with your roots in India is highly commendable. Thanks for donating laptops, cash and books to our school here in Jalandhar India. May you keep shining your, your parents, your country Australia and your ancestral mother land India’s name through your humanitarian work.
$22
Jagjit Dhaliwal
Good on you Ashleen, we are very proud of you. Thank you for visiting our school in India and donating your books and laptops to the underprivileged childern. Keep writing!
$22
Didar Shetra, Kaulgarh India
Wonderful job you are doing at such young age. The philanthropic work done by you through your books is commendable, inspiring and connected ting the communities worldwide. Thank you for donating proceeds of your book sales to our village Kaulgarh’s schools in the form of laptops, stationary, cash and books. You are a source of pride for India and Australia.
$22
Navjinder Mohan
Ashleeen, your sense of giving back to your community at such young age is exemplary. May god continue to bless you with courage and strength to enable you to keep doing such great charity work as you grow older. Underprivileged children of our school here in Punjab are thankful for your donation of laptop and books. You gave them hope and inspired them all to dream big. We are proud of you.
$22
Chander Shekhar
Undertaking such a noble cause at young age by you is very inspirational for all. You are a real change maker. Your work has proven to the world that age is neither a limit nor excuse or hinderance to one’s ability or desire to make a social change for the benefit of all. Our school at Simble Mazara in Punjab is truly grateful for your visit, your speech and your donation of books,, cash,, stationary, warm clothes and laptops bought with the money you earned by selling your books worldwide. Keep shining India’s name worldwide with your absolutely great and kind work.
You are a true hero and legend Ashleen 🙌 👏 ❤️ keep doing this great work and continue to inspire others ❤️God bless you abundantly. The world sure needs more Ashleens. God bless your heart. 💗🙏🏾