12 years old Khela has authored two books to raise funds for charities and underprivileged kids
Our Bureau
Sydney
Its misty, hazy and chilling cold in dense foggy mornings of outskirts of northern India. But none of this stops 12 years old Ashleen Khela who happens to be Australia’s youngest female published author of Indian origin, to make it nice and cozy for the underprivileged children of rural Punjab. She is utilising finances raised from the proceeds of her two books ’17 Stories’ and ‘Journey Through Her Jersey’ to donate laptops, cash amounts, warm track suits, socks, bennies, fruits and her books to the less fortunate children of various schools of native Punjab. The temperature drops down to two degrees in some cold freezing January month mornings, the heating equipment less classrooms of some schools appear no less cold than a fridge but the warmth of Ashleen’s efforts and motivating speeches filled with cozy jokes keeps the kids laughing. Their eyes shine with a ray of hope as they listen to her speech.
The youngest author’s family visits India each year to stay connected with their Indian roots. Ashleen published her first book at the age of 11 for which she became the youngest female author in Australia earning her international laurels. Ashleen discovered a love of writing at the age of 7 when she was visiting India, and, continued to develop this hobby over the COVID lockdowns.
Ashleen and her family often travel to India, and it was during one of these trips before the lockdowns that Ashleen met underprivileged children who were living in rural Punjab that inspired Ashleen and gave her a desire to help the underprivileged children.
One of the inspirations for the stories in her book came from a visit she made to India when she was only 7 years of age. While travelling to Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara in a car with her family, she saw number of kids of migrant workers living in roadside hovels in poor conditions. She did not feel good about it and wanted to help them. On their way back from Gurudwara sahib, her mother and grandmother gave her bananas to donate to the underprivileged children by the roadside. It was getting dark and Ashleen did not think kids would come out of the hovels to get a banana. But, as her dad announced their arrival with bananas, to her surprise, hundreds of kids came running towards her like a sheep flock just to get a single banana. It showed her that in some parts of the world such as rural India, a single banana is a big treat for the less fortunate kids and there are huge social disparities in the world. That moment planted the seeds of her determination to help underprivileged children, she said. She decided to write about these kids to raise awareness about them and to do something bigger to help them.
Soon after her return to Australia, Covid 19 pandemic started, and lockdown began.
Over the lockdowns, Ashleen used the time to develop her stories, first drawing on inspiration from the underprivileged children in Punjab, then using her creativity and imagination to create the tales that make up her debut book ‘17 Stories’.
From her Hills Shire Council Sydney backyard during the Covid lockdown to the enchanting realms of caves, mountains, and rural Punjab, Ashleen says she invites readers on an imaginative journey. She encourages reflection on social injustice and deprivation, especially highlighting the challenges faced by underprivileged children living in roadside slum hovels in India.
One of the tales ‘Elisa and Josephine’ in her debut book ’17 Stories’ shows the contrast in lifestyles between kids in developed and developing nations. Another story, “Zombie Virus Diary Entry” creatively captures her personal experiences during the Covid lockdown, providing insight into the feelings of an Australian school kid confined at home.
To turn her passion into action, Ashleen published her debut book, ’17 Stories’, at the age of 11, using all proceeds from the sale of book to support Australian charities and children in developing nations. Remarkably, she funded the publication entirely on her own by recycling bottles and cans through Australia’s Return and Earn programme and selling plants. “I wanted to support myself and raise funds for the cause without financial assistance from my parents,” she said.
Her second book, ‘Journey Through Her Jersey’ (published last month), delves into the barriers faced by girls in sports, drawing inspiration from her younger sister Avleen. “My sister was heartbroken when she couldn’t join her school’s cricket club because it was a ‘boys-only’ thing. That incident motivated me to advocate for equal opportunities for girls. Unfortunately, gender bias remains in this world hiding in places we least expect. This book sheds light on neglected women’s rights, emphasising the capabilities of young women in both privileged and underprivileged parts of the world,” Ashleen said. Through this book, Ashleen will be raising funds for UNICEF, United nations women, and underprivileged children of India; and developing nations.
According to her father Amarjit, who accompanies her every morning to various schools informed that Ashleen spent Rs 3.5 Lakh rupees for benevolence to the kids in addition to funds that she already raised so far through her debut book ’17 Stories’ for Cancer Council of Australia and Starlight Children Foundation.
Some of the philanthropic act by this young girl includes Rs 10,000, three laptops and her authored books to Government High School Kaulgath ( Balachaur) Dist SBS Nagar, Rs 10,000 and two laptops and books to Government Senior Secondary School Simble Mazara Dist SBS Nagar, warm track suits, bennies, socks, fruits and laptops to Government Elementary School Sajawalpur (Dist SBS Nawanshahr), two laptops and books to High School Kaluwahar (Dist Hoshiarpur), one laptop, warm clothes and her authored books to Govt Primary school Pandori Khajoor (Dist Hoshiarpur), one laptop, warm clothes and her books to Govt Primary school Hussainpur Guru Ka (Dist Hoshiarpur), one laptop warm clothes and her books to Govt Primary school Mallian Nangal (Dist Hoshiarpur), three laptops and her books to Govt Elementary School Nurpur (Dist Jalandhar) and many more schools in the district. Ashleen also donated warm track suits, bennies, socks, fruits and her books to roadside hovel kids who inspired her to start writing a few years ago at village Chankoya on Hoshiarpur Roopnagar highway.
Her family informed that Ashleen aims to visit few more schools before she leaves the country and donate more laptops, warm clothes and cash to the needy school children. “It makes me feel immense satisfied while connected to my roots and do something for the community where my parents originated from. I love my country Australia as I was born there but am equally proud to be of Indian origin. Age is just a number. We can achieve any goal in any field at any time provided we are determined and committed. The fulfilling feeling of giving back and contributing to society is unparalleled,” said Ashleen who addressed several school assemblies in the last few weeks and motivated children to do their best in their chosen fields to serve the community through their passion or profession.
Ashleen’s debut book ‘17 Stories’ is part of library collection of over 300 public libraries in Australia.
Within the last four weeks, since publishing her second book, so far, Ashleen has raised over $1,000 for UNICEF by selling her second book online. Her buyers come from Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, India and England, informed her parents.
“In India she has been honoured by Punjab University, various Arts and cultural Associations of Punjab and Blood Bank NGOs of SBS Nagar while back home in Australia her remarkable achievements have earned her a nomination as a finalist for the young Australian Sikh Of The Year award 2024, ‘ Community Recognition Statement’ about her in the parliament house of NSW state of Australia, Young citizen of the year 2025- Hills Shire council and Finalist for NSW Women of the year 2025 awards (The Ones to watch 7-15 years age category), showcasing her dedication to making a positive impact in her community and beyond”, mentioned overjoyed Amarjit. As per media release issued by the NSW minister for women The Honourable Jodie Harrison, The NSW government will be presenting her a state level award on March 6, 2025, at the international convention centre Sydney during the NSW Women of the Year Awards ceremony 2025.
