Our story

Our purpose and how it all began

Growing up I observed my parents and grandparents actively contributing to help the communities around us. I remember this one time when my mom, Rahimunissa Riaz Ahmed, worked for months to get lights installed on a dark street and finally, when we finally got those 12 streetlights, it was a sight to behold! The brightly lit road made such a big difference in alleviating concerns about safety among residents, who in the past would avoid venturing out in the evening because of the increased threat of theft and assault in the dark.

In 2014, I lost my dad, M.A. Riaz Ahmed to a sudden cardiac arrest. The next few months after his passing we got to meet hordes of his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, who either called or visited us to pay their respects. The common theme in most of these conversations was about how dad had helped them, both during good times and bad – in one instance, he had helped an acquaintance start a small business, in another he had supported a friend with his children’s education. Through these conversations, I realized my dad had taught me the biggest lesson in his passing than he did in his life. His altruistic nature had become his legacy, and I wanted to make it a part of my life too.

As an adult, it always pained me that some of us have so many opportunities- education, supporting family structures, access to great healthcare – while others struggle through their entire lives, sometimes scrambling to meet the very basic needs. The fact is many a time we don’t have control over the hand we are dealt with in lives – we don’t get to choose our parents, gender, where and when we are born, race, color, or the economic circumstances we are born into. All lives are equal; however, in order for all of us to have a solid chance at a healthy, happy, and nourishing life, it’s essential that we create opportunities that lift each other up. This has been the foundational premise behind Riaz Ahmed Foundation (RAF).

At RAF, we strive to create opportunities that empower communities, in particular, women, since they are the pillars of their families’ wellbeing and economic security. Several studies have demonstrated educated maternal education is associated with better cognitive development in children. We also focus on skilled and vocational education, food and nutrition, and providing access to quality healthcare to everyone. As of 2024, we have trained over 70 women in professional tailoring and fashion designing with many of them now pursuing employment and business opportunities in this space. We have also been supporting the local communities with nutritious food since a strong mind needs a strong body to function at its best. We look forward to expanding our work and growing from strength to strength.

Best wishes,

Kausar Riaz Ahmed