- Maria Khambati, Mumbai

Maria has a Master’s in Textiles and worked in corporate spaces before joining the Dawoodi Bohra’s Project Rise initiative full-time. In this blog, she reflects on her journey with Project Rise through meaningful engagements and how it has shaped her approach to philanthropy.

When I joined Project Rise, the global philanthropic arm of the Dawoodi Bohras, my approach felt largely administrative. Research. Coordination. Documentation. Reports.  But as I got more attached to the cause, it had a life-changing impact on me.  

Over time, I began to realise I was not just a person working in philanthropy; I was becoming part of a movement.

A visit to Ulhasnagar

My first deep dive into the field took me to the Blinds Welfare Association (BWA) in Ulhasnagar, a city in Maharashtra, where we had been working to support students through access to technology and educational resources. I had spent many weeks researching and coordinating a project for local students.

I remember arriving after a nearly two-hour cab ride in sweltering heat and drained by the entire journey. But the moment I stepped into that classroom, my irritation gave way to joy. There sat a group of children, faces glowing with anticipation as they waited for computers to be set up for them. They had a sincerity in their eagerness to learn.  

"I began to realise I was not just a person working in philanthropy; I was becoming part of a movement."

It was a humbling realization. While I was complaining about a long cab ride, they sat there, eager and grateful simply for the chance to learn. That moment reinforced the meaning of gratitude for me.

Moraiya: Small steps, giant leaps

Most recently, I travelled to Moraiya, a village near Ahmedabad, for the launch of an Early Childhood Development Care and Education Centre established in collaboration with Deepalaya, an NGO based out of New Delhi. It was the second such project I had worked on closely, and by then I thought I understood what fieldwork demanded.

Still, the day tested everyone involved. The roads were uneven, the blistering Ahmedabad heat was relentless, and every small logistical task seemed to require twice the effort. I was exhausted, sitting in a corner, going through the day’s agenda, when Shivani, a five year-old-girl, walked up to greet me. 

When I asked whether she went to school, she quietly explained that the nearest one was simply too far away for her to go regularly. But when I asked whether she wanted to go, the look on her face changed. Her wide smile did more to answer the question than words. 

At that moment, I saw the true weight of our work.

"Having travelled to these places, I have been blessed with a renewed perspective on service."

In cities, education is often discussed as a pathway to success. In Moraiya, it felt far more basic than that. It represented access. Dignity. Possibility.

I also met Hetal Parmar, a migrant mother who had been worried about how to educate her daughter, Nisha, while surviving on a minimal wage. The relief in her voice when she realised her child would receive an education within their society was a victory more rewarding than any milestone I’ve ever achieved.

A new perspective 

In the hustle and bustle of city life, we often find reasons to complain. We focus on what we lack rather than the blessings at our feet. Having travelled to these places, I have been blessed with a renewed perspective on service.

I have realised that:

• Education is the ultimate bridge: It is the best gift we can give to children. 
• Groundwork is essential: Behind-the-scenes administrative work is vital, but meeting the people we serve expands our horizons. It grounds us and forces us to think differently about our own life.
• Every drop counts: No effort is miniscule. If it brings a smile to one’s face or eases a mother’s burden, it is worth every ounce of energy.

Project Rise has taught me that as humans we are interdependent on each other and if we get an opportunity to make a difference, we should step up where we can. That, if you ever get the chance to reach out and help someone, take it. 

These moments and experiences made me realize that  I am not just a professional; I am a grateful volunteer, humbled by the opportunity to serve.