Raah's Story

On the 8th of May 2011, when Dr. Kulkarni was driving through a portion of the Western Ghats, connecting Mumbai to Nashik. She sat shotgun with her neck twisted at a 90-degree angle focused on the summer landscape, yellow hills. Her daydreams slowly turned into a sort of horror show as she saw countless girls, mothers and grandmothers walking barefoot in the afternoon heat of May, on a burning hot cement road, carrying loads of water filled vessels stacked over their heads. With every step they took a few drops of water would fall and immediately glaze Sarika’s eyes. At that point, her inhibitions washed away, and philanthropy took over. We’ve been at it ever since!

“I started Raah to use my background, education and privilege to address and solve some of the deep rooted problems faced by the rural communities so that they can lead a life of dignity and happiness!”

Dr. Sarika Kulkarni
Founder

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead

Working alongside some of the poorest indigenous tribal communities nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range, we’ve come to understand the pressing need for a fresh approach to tackle their deep-rooted, intergenerational poverty—now further intensified by the effects of climate change. Despite past interventions, the progress has been minimal, and with the growing threat of climate change, there’s a risk that any gains made could be swiftly undone. This calls for a more innovative and thoughtful strategy. Our focus is on taking incremental, mindful steps, prioritizing climate resilience to enable these communities to adapt in ways that are sustainable for the long term. By delving into the underlying causes and fostering local leadership, we aim to empower these communities to shape their own future, driving the change they envision for themselves.

Change Without Charity

At Raah Foundation, we believe in ‘philanthropy by design’—a philosophy rooted in change without charity. Rather than relying on aid, we emphasize community empowerment. We actively engage with the communities, drawing on their ancestral wisdom and collaborating with them to ensure each initiative is aligned with their true needs. This ground-up approach fosters local ownership, turning passive recipients into active participants, who take the lead in their own development journey. In doing so, we create lasting, sustainable change that is shaped and driven by the people themselves