Who we are

Ayaan is 9 years old as of launching Help Children Dream Big. Since he was a toddler, he displayed signs of high compassion and generosity for those that were less fortunate than him. Growing up in California as the child of immigrant parents, Ayaan’s visits to India were frequented by him generously doting out his brand new presents and treats obtained during festivals to children he’d never met, but whom he knew wouldn’t be getting any. He’d often urge his grandmother to accompany him as he donated popsicles or fruits to the sweltering service workers he’d see from the high-rise windows of her skyscraper home. 

When Ayaan turned 8, he decided to “earn” money from his parents through kind acts and positive behaviors with the sole purpose of donating them to those less fortunate. He started with his roots in Mumbai, India, a city notorious for its gross divide between the rich and poor, where he’d witnessed poverty from the windows of his grandparents high-rise apartment.  With the help of his grandmother, he partnered with the Ambedkar Nagar Balwadi Project at Family Service Center where he hosted a holiday event for the slum children where they performed a show, obtained much-needed supplies, and had a chance to speak with professionals about career choices, and paths to pursue their dreams.

Ayaan returned from his visit to India with renewed gusto and determination, ready to take on the next one! With the help of his mom, he researched the poorest countries in the world, and made a plea that his family visit Africa for their next trip, so that he could positively impact the children in need. His parents love to travel (Ayaan himself had traveled to 37 countries at this young age) so it wasn’t long before they created a plan to visit Kenya and Laos the next summer. 

Ayaan enlisted his mother to find a remote location where he could meet with, and inspire children, while he worked hard to earn dollars to buy them educational supplies. Ayaan believes in equipping these young minds with the tools, knowledge and confidence to earn a living for themselves, so education was his focus. Soon, he had successfully convinced his dad and grandparents to match his earnings, resulting in hundred of donation dollars before their planned trip to Africa. 

They visited Saaten Primary School in the Masai Mara, a truly remote school for children of the Masai tribe, at the outskirts of the famed national park that he chose because of their motto, Knowledge is Power. He purchased hundreds of books, pens, pencils, soccer balls, games, and health supplies and spent the day playing, bonding with and distributing supplies while his parents spoke to the children about their dreams and aspirations, encouraging them to follow their passions. 

That trip also included a visit to the Ziwa orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya and Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabhang, Laos where he helped the Laotian children learn English through interactive play, so that they could find better job opportunities.  

Please join Ayaan as he continues on his quest to continue to educate the world’s children and encourage them to dream big, one child at a time….