Dubai trekker twins raise over Dh11,145 for Nepal schools

Dubai: Brave twins Shaivi and Sharvi Kalwani, 13, are at it again.

This time around, they’re hiking for a cause, showing that charity knows no age — while promoting healthy lifestyles.

Born and raised in Dubai, the Year 8 student at Dubai Academy has trekked several routes in the UAE – including Wadi Shawka in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Al Rabi Mountain Khorfakkan in Ras Al Khaimah, Jebel Jais in RAK Mountain, Wadi Tayyibah Fujairah and Hatta Dubai – Fundraising for The Shree Jagdishwor School (SJS) in Bimal Nagar, Nepal.

Their 2023 fundraising campaign titled “Excursion for Shree Jagdishwor School, Nepal” has raised AED 11,145 through YallaGive.

“The school is in dire need of repairs,” Shaivi said. “The primary school on the main Kathmandu-Pokhara highway – with 123 pupils, 69 girls and 54 boys – has been seeking support from the local government and NGOs for more than 10 years. Me and my The twin sisters are delighted that we can help the school, students and staff.”

Sharvi added: “The school’s existing two-storey building had four dark and damp rooms. However, the focus was on a fragile brick staircase. The building is more than 25 years old and not earthquake resistant at all. Dubai University Fund The goal with Pahar Trust Nepal is to demolish the building and replace it with six two-storey buildings,” she said.

The twins’ parents, professional artist Reetika Rajpal and businessman Deepak Kalwani, support their daughters’ initiative.

“The twins have been raising money for the Emirates Red Crescent, Al Jalila Foundation, Dubai Smile Train, Harmony House India and Dubai University Foundation (SJ School, Nepal),” Deepak said.

Hiking is nothing new for the twins.

In February 2018, the girls attended their first fundraiser at Jumeirah British School Park in Dubai, where they sold handmade cards, the father said.

Says Shaivi: “We continued to take orders and make cards to sell after the event to raise more funds. In early 2019 we ran a second fundraiser at the school and it was sold out again. We donated to the Emirates Red Crescent AED9,332 was raised from the sale of handmade greeting cards.”

Sharvi added that the next time the goal is bigger. “Our goal was to think about raising the same amount or more in twice the time. Handcrafted cards take a long time to make, so we looked for an idea that was economical and easy to handle.”

She and her twins came up with the idea of ​​finding machine-made 3D pop-up cards.

“The twins found a sponsor to pay for the machine. So 100% of the proceeds from card sales go to charity.”

The twins’ mother, Reetika, said the Al Jalila Foundation and their ‘Farah’ program proved to be a perfect fit for the girls.

The Farah program helps children with chronic illnesses. This gave the twins plenty of motivation.

“The Al Jalila Foundation was very supportive and helped to obtain all the necessary permits and really encouraged Sharvi and Shaivi from the beginning.”

Sharvi and Shaivi are passionate about philanthropy. When the pandemic hit, Sharvi and Shaivi decided to cycle to a cause. “They cycled around the roundabout outside their home in Jumeirah to raise money.

They have decided to cycle 100km each in May 2020, with a goal of raising AED 15,000 for Al Jalila Foundation’s ‘Farah’ initiative – again with their full support, permission and encouragement. “

“With the kind and generous help of family, friends and others, they managed to raise their goals and cycle 100km in 15 days,” the mother said.

In 2021, when COVID-19 peaked especially in India, Harmony House India, which houses underprivileged children, ran out of food supplies.

Sharvi and Shaivi decided to raise money for them to keep the children and their families fed and safe.

The twins were approached by Dubai Smile Train last year to help them raise funds for a child born with a cleft lip and palate.

They then raised over AED 20,000 for the Dubai Smile Train by walking around the city of Dubai.