Northeastern University students and twins, Seema Korumilli, DMSB'21, and Suraj Korumilli, DMSB/CIS'21, co-founded Literacy Movement 4 More in 2013, a nonprofit aimed at promoting literacy through the creation of libraries and the donation of laptops, books and other school supplies.
A 2012 trip to their native homeland, Kapileswarapuram, India, spurred their desire to impact change within the community, and other areas, when they realized the need for educational resources.
“We decided we would become the solution to eradicating illiteracy,” said Suraj, “and the first step to doing that was creating libraries.”
Over the past four years, the twins have created seven libraries around the world including in the Bahamas, New Jersey and Philadelphia. They also opened one in Plagiari, Greece, where Suraj is currently studying as part of the N.U. in program.
Seema and Suraj have collected and donated 3,000 books, seven laptops, and many other educational materials for learners.
“Literacy Movement 4 More has become one of the core parts of our identity. It's one of the most important factors in shaping us into who we are as students, as learners, and as humans,” said Seema.
The two plan to take their nonprofit to the next level with the help of Northeastern's supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, including IDEA, the university's student-run venture accelerator.