"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."
Why We Work
Our goal is to go inside and find the problem. According to UNICEF, 20% of India's children from 6 to 14 years old are not enrolled in school. India has an 74% female literacy rate compared to a 88% male literacy rate. Most children with disabilities do not have the necessary resources to seek proper medical treatment. About 46% of all children under the age of three are too small for their age and 16% show signs of wasting.
We believe that education leads to knowledge, and with knowledge comes change. If we educate women and children, they will be able to bring the care, love, and hope to generations to come.
As an organization, Aahana understands that we are not fighting just one problem, but thousands. To help us click the 'Get Involved' tab and tell us why you would like to join us on our journey.
We believe that education leads to knowledge, and with knowledge comes change. If we educate women and children, they will be able to bring the care, love, and hope to generations to come.
As an organization, Aahana understands that we are not fighting just one problem, but thousands. To help us click the 'Get Involved' tab and tell us why you would like to join us on our journey.
What We Do
We go to the poorest parts of villages and look to educate underprivileged children. With our Aahana mission trips, Aahana's goal is to uplift children and youth in the most impoverished parts of the village.
The Human Research Foundation located in Gujarat, India is our first partner organization. Mamta School, a school operated by the Human Research Foundation is Aahana's partner school for approximately 48 deaf and disabled children who come from the poorest villages in Gujarat. These children have been found from these villages and faced with a better life through Mamta School. Their ages range from 5 to 19 years old.
The school was opened and is run by Jayantibhai Patel, who has dedicated almost thirty years of his life to helping these children. In a country where children with disabilities are ignored and treated as burdens, an orphanage like this one provides a life that these children would not be able to have anywhere else. Our work as Aahana will continue to provide them with the necessary resources to keep running.
For more information on our partner organization click here.
The Human Research Foundation located in Gujarat, India is our first partner organization. Mamta School, a school operated by the Human Research Foundation is Aahana's partner school for approximately 48 deaf and disabled children who come from the poorest villages in Gujarat. These children have been found from these villages and faced with a better life through Mamta School. Their ages range from 5 to 19 years old.
The school was opened and is run by Jayantibhai Patel, who has dedicated almost thirty years of his life to helping these children. In a country where children with disabilities are ignored and treated as burdens, an orphanage like this one provides a life that these children would not be able to have anywhere else. Our work as Aahana will continue to provide them with the necessary resources to keep running.
For more information on our partner organization click here.
We believe in touching each child with our love and care. By personally going to India each year, we ensure that the children are able to grow in a nourishing, positive environment.
Mamta School Staff
Meet the Founder: Rina's Story
I was born and raised in the United States, but have been going to India every year since I was 12 years old. My parents were born in impoverished villages in Gujarat, India. After hearing their stories, I was curious to see where they came from. I started to see India, not as a poverty stricken country but the country that has made me the person I am today. After spending a few years with villagers, I fell in love. I fell in love with the simplicity of how they lived their lives. I fell in love with going back to India each year and seeing the amount of selflessness complete strangers had for one another. But most of all, I fell in love with the innocence of the children.
The images of children playing in rags, so untouched by the reality of the world they are living in, seemed almost unreal. Despite their circumstances, the children who had nothing were bright, witty, and unstoppable. With millions of children deprived of education and the basic necessities, I knew I had to do something.
After years of doing fundraisers for other charities, I wanted to build something of my own. These children don't need free handouts; they need inspiration, love and hope that they are meant to do anything BUT what society expects.
Aahana means the first rays of the sun. Each child deserves equal opportunity and each child is just that, the first ray of the sun.
-Rina Patel
The images of children playing in rags, so untouched by the reality of the world they are living in, seemed almost unreal. Despite their circumstances, the children who had nothing were bright, witty, and unstoppable. With millions of children deprived of education and the basic necessities, I knew I had to do something.
After years of doing fundraisers for other charities, I wanted to build something of my own. These children don't need free handouts; they need inspiration, love and hope that they are meant to do anything BUT what society expects.
Aahana means the first rays of the sun. Each child deserves equal opportunity and each child is just that, the first ray of the sun.
-Rina Patel