Three young sisters in Dubai have embarked on an inspiring journey of philanthropy, creating a non-profit foundation that is reshaping the lives of women and children thousands of miles away in Kenya. Inaya Bhasin, 16, along with her younger sisters Simar, 13, and Rania, 12, founded the charity Arise after witnessing firsthand the challenges faced in underprivileged communities during their visits.
The roots of their initiative lie in their strong connection to Kenya, a country where their father’s family has lived for three generations. During their time there, the sisters observed communities grappling with scarce resources for children, limited opportunities for women, and environmental threats. This experience sparked their desire to create meaningful change.
Rania explains that the foundation grew from the recognition that education, empowerment, and environmental conservation are deeply interconnected, though often addressed in isolation. Built around these three pillars, Arise was launched in 2023 to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, embracing a holistic approach to community development.
Partnering initially with the Vanessa Grant Trust, an organization dedicated to improving educational access in rural Kenya, the sisters began their outreach. One story that deeply moved them was that of a stonecutter’s daughter who started working with her mother earning just $3 a day. With Arise’s assistance, she now holds a prestigious role at one of Nairobi’s leading law firms, a transformation that motivates the sisters to continue expanding their efforts.
Each sister has taken a specific role within Arise that plays to their strengths. Inaya manages the creative aspects, Simar oversees logistics and partnerships, and Rania focuses on people and long-term vision. Their ambition is to extend the foundation’s reach across more African communities over the next five years, demonstrating that youth-led initiatives can achieve global, lasting impact.
The foundation’s projects are diverse and impactful. One notable initiative is the donation of recycled computers from African businesses to schools in Tanzania, promoting digital education. They also support large-scale tree-planting campaigns across East Africa to aid environmental conservation. Another highlight is the Hot Meals Programme, funded by Inaya’s sale of African-inspired artwork, which raised $5,000 to enable 20 women to cook daily meals for 1,300 students at Songoro Mnyonge Secondary School near Dar es Salaam. This project has improved student attendance, health, and morale while providing income for the women, who support families of around five people each.
Despite their successes, the sisters acknowledge challenges such as finding schools willing to accept support, especially in isolated districts with language barriers. They have overcome these hurdles by collaborating with local organizations, ensuring the computers and other resources reach those in need.
Balancing their foundation work with academic commitments is no small feat. Inaya recently began higher education, Simar is preparing for her GCSEs, and Rania is in Year Eight. They integrate their philanthropic activities into their daily lives, keeping close contact with project partners and conducting regular evaluations to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of their programs.
Looking ahead, the sisters aim to forge partnerships with schools, companies, and institutions in the UAE to broaden their projects’ reach. They invite anyone interested in supporting their cause to connect via their Instagram page @arise.educate.empower.conserve.
Inaya is also initiating an electronics recycling campaign at her school, Dubai College, to collect old devices and extend their educational support. The sisters emphasize that every small contribution counts—no effort is too small to make a meaningful difference. This philosophy drives their passion and commitment to building a foundation that not only addresses immediate needs but fosters sustainable development rooted in education, empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
