“Every bag of coffee can change a life,” says Jayen Dhall, a twelve year old boy from Wimbledon.
Inspired by his uncle, Rajiv Chadha, Jayen has taken on the mission to raise money for orphaned children in Kenya, to support the Rajiv and Anya Chadha (RAC) Foundation which is dedicated to helping provide orphaned children with the essential food and care that they need. Jayen felt that selling Kenyan coffee was a way he could raise money as it also helps support Kenyan farmers, extending the impact beyond the children.
Situated in Nanyuki, just north of the equator in Kenya, the RAC Foundation is a non-profit organisation that does vital work to help feed more than forty children between the ages of 2-18 every month. They organise deliveries of food and basic supplies to ensure that every child has a nutritious meal. They also ensure each child has access to any psychological and emotional support that they need, and the foundation hopes to create a nurturing environment. Rajiv listens to their stories, spends time with them and offers support and encouragement, fostering their confidence as he hopes to create a sense of belonging in their lives. In the time the children have come to know him, he has become very important to them as he is now both a mentor and a friend, equipping them with tools to dream big and shape a brighter future. They are also currently in the process of planning a vocational training centre which they will build to help give the older children opportunities to learn skills such as sewing, plumbing and carpentry.
The inspiration for the RAC foundation began when Rajiv first visited the children’s orphanage. He was touched by the resilience and warmth despite their challenging circumstances. Since then, he has been determined to make a difference in these children’s lives and create a space where they can thrive and grow. Rajiv has a clear vision: “to help give opportunities for the impoverished children”.
Jayen Dhall began his initiative by contacting Horsham Coffee Roasters in Sussex. He chose them as they are not only a local business but also are committed to purchasing ethically traded delicious coffee. Horsham Coffee Roasters are passionate about sourcing the highest quality coffee with direct trade relationships in Rwanda, Kenya, Costa Rica and Brazil. They generously allowed Jayen to purchase the coffee at wholesale prices which allowed him to maximise the profit generated for the RAC foundation, making each sale even more impactful. Determined, Jayen went door to door selling the coffee and reached out to family and friends and so far has managed to raise around £250. Although he has just started, his goal is to reach £1000 – a sum that will have such profound impacts on each child’s life.
Jayen encourages people to purchase a bag of coffee to help donate towards such an important cause and hopes to inspire others get involved and help make a difference in areas they care most about. He says, “imagine the difference we could all achieve together.”
To support this cause and help create a positive impact, reach out via this email dhallscoffee@gmail.com to purchase a bag of coffee or to ask any questions. Jayen and the RAC Foundation are incredibly grateful for all your support. Thank you so much for helping contribute to creating a brighter future for these children.
