I will never forget the moment I entered the Biliamba School in Dang, Surat, Gujarat. Together with my American India Foundation (AIF) colleagues from both the US and India, we were welcomed by students and staff with a full sensory spectacle of traditional dance, drums, song, food, and drink. While I was moved to joyous tears by the community’s hospitality, the beaming smiles of the young schoolgirl dancers, and the heartfelt remarks of teachers and students alike, it was what followed that punctuated the importance of this place.
Patiently sitting in the audience were several fathers whose daughters had benefited from AIF’s Learning and Migration Program (LAMP) and scholarships. They were farmers from the local tribal community, who themselves may not have completed a secondary education. When all performances and speeches had been made, it was time to have homemade chai and share kesari bat with new friends. The proud fathers rose from their seats, approaching us with eager smiles…and testimony. We had ample translations of Dangi (the local language) and Gujarati to Hindi or English, yet what they shared with us transcended language. They were brimming with gratitude and a newfound sense of hope. We learned that their daughters, whose education was supported by AIF programs, are now midway through their higher education degrees. One is on her way to becoming a nurse! It was there, in those fathers’ eyes, that I saw and understood the importance of legacy.
At the American India Foundation, we are driven by a shared commitment to create lasting impact in the lives of those we serve. So much of the work we do is vested in multigenerational transformation. In short, we build and grow better futures. Today, I am reaching out to share with you the incredible power of Legacy Giving and how it can enable AIF to positively transform India’s most vulnerable communities, for generations to come.
Legacy Giving, also known as “planned giving,” is a visionary approach to philanthropy that allows you to make a significant impact well beyond your lifetime. By including AIF in your estate plans–through bequests, charitable trusts, or beneficiary designations–you are ensuring that our vital work continues to thrive. There are several avenues by which you can help drive sustainable change that are at no cost to you now, or can even pay you income today.
You can create a world where children will receive life-changing education, and the ripple effect could see entire families lifted out of poverty. You can create a world where the stigma of empowered, working women is eradicated. You can create a world where one’s gender, socio-economic status, or ability is not a barrier to a healthy, dignified life. In partnership with AIF, this can be your legacy.
I personally invite you to join our Leave a Legacy community where you become a steward of hope and progress. There, you can explore the various ways your legacy and generosity can shape a better tomorrow.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference that reverberates into an exceptional, shared future. Together, we can build a world where compassion and opportunity are resourced for every person across India.
