My Story: A journey of Hope and change

My name is Armish, and my journey with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) began long before I truly understood what it meant to make a difference. My father joined TCF in 2017, When I was just five years old.While most of the children my age spent their time at playgrounds, I spent mine wandering through TCF head office, attending daycare, watching my father dedicate his days to helping underprivilleged children get access to quality education.

As I grew older, TCF became more than just a part of my father's life, it became a part of mine. I started attending summer Camps organized by TCF, even before i was old enough to officially participate. I loved every moment of it, the laughter, the teamwork, and the feeling that I was part of something meaningful.

When I turned 11, I joined the summer Camp again, but this time as a volunteer. That experience changed everything. For the first time, I saw the impact we could create together, the smiles on the children's faces, the friendships that crossed differences, and the hope that education brings.

In 2024, I volunteered at the Riaz Tata Campus and later joined Baghbaan, a TCF initiative that raised funds to send children to school. During my first cycle, I raised about 3 lakhs, enough to support several children's education. It was a proud moment, even if it wasn't perfect, it motivated me to do better next time.

And I did. In 2025, I joined the summer Camp again, this time older, wiser, and even more determined. I also took part in baghbaan once more and my efforts paid off, I raised around 8 lakhs, enough to send 19 children to school for an entire year. I also interned at the TCF office, Gaining hands-on experience in how such projects are managed.

This year, I was honored to serve as a core committee member in Baghbaan, where I handled four groups and led one of them. Being trusted with that responsibility meant a lot to me; it showed that my journey with TCF had truly come full circle, from being a child in daycare to becoming a leader among volunteers.

For now, I'm focusing on my studies at Happy Home Fast Track school, but my heart remains with TCF. I look forward to joining summer Camp in June-July 2026, and continuing to serve as a volunteer and changemaker.

In the future, I hope to study law, so I can use my voice to bring justice and opportunity to those who needs it the most. My journey with TCF taught me that change doesn't always start big, sometimes, it beings with a single step, a small act of kindness, or one child getting a chance to learn.

I believe that hope grows when we share it, and through my journey, I wish to keep spreading that hope, one feather at a time.