A young voice finding a way to give back: Iha’s story

Raising funds to fight homelessness doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Sometimes, it starts with looking at what you already enjoy and finding a way to share it with others.

For 15-year-old Iha Nayak, she’s been finding ways to turn her music into something meaningful for others.

A singer-songwriter who has been singing for six years and playing guitar for three, Iha recently took to the streets for her first busking fundraiser, choosing to donate her proceeds to Sacred Heart Mission.

The idea began with a suggestion from her dad: why not use her first busking gig to raise money for a cause? For Iha, it was an opportunity to bring together her love of performing and her desire to help others.

“I wanted to support people experiencing homelessness, so I started looking into charities and came across Sacred Heart Mission,” she says. “It felt like a meaningful way to combine something I love with helping others.”

It’s a simple idea, but one that says a lot about the ways we can all contribute to our communities. Fundraising doesn’t have to start with a big event, a huge goal or years of experience. Sometimes, it starts with looking at what you already enjoy and finding a way to share it with others.

For Iha, music has always been about more than the songs themselves. It’s about the connection that happens when people stop, listen and share a moment together.

“I love being able to create that connection with people through my lyrics, my songs and the energy I bring to a performance,” she says.

One moment from her first busking experience has stayed with her. While singing Taylor Swift’s Blank Space, Iha noticed two teenage girls in front of her dancing along.

“They were bringing the same energy that I was, and I could really feel that connection through the song,” she recalls.

It’s these moments that remind Iha why she loves performing. And by choosing to fundraise for Sacred Heart Mission, she’s found another way to use that connection to make a difference.

For her mum, Anu, supporting Iha means encouraging her to pursue her passions while staying connected to the people around her.

“As parents, we want our children to have the freedom to choose their own paths and reach their goals. But it’s also important to instil in them the values of being a good person and giving back to society,” Anu says.

“As they work towards their own dreams, we want them to remember that there are other people they can lift up along the way.”

That spirit of generosity has also shaped the family’s connection with Sacred Heart Mission. What began as a way for Iha to support a cause she cared about has grown into a desire to become more involved with the community and the work we do.

Iha hopes to continue supporting Sacred Heart Mission in the future, whether that looks like more busking fundraisers, volunteering, or helping out at an op shop. She’d also love the opportunity to perform at Sacred Heart Community in the future, where she hopes her music can bring joy to older residents.

Her message to other young people who want to make a difference is straightforward: start by finding a cause that matters to you.

“There are so many charities and organisations supporting different causes, so you can find something that genuinely matters to you,” she says. “You don’t need to have everything figured out straight away. Sometimes, you just have to take that first step!”

At Sacred Heart Mission, we know that building a more compassionate community takes people willing to show up for one another in all kinds of ways. Iha’s story is a reminder that there’s no single way to contribute, and no minimum age for caring about the world around you.

Whether it’s through music, creativity, sport or another passion, young people can find meaningful ways to support their communities right now.

Iha has chosen to start with a guitar, her voice and a willingness to give back. And by doing so, she’s shown how something you love can become something that helps others.

Keen to get involved in fundraising? Find out more about how you can get behind a good cause.