About Us

In late 2007 Nia’s founder, Shezmin Madhani, visited the slums of Kenya where she worked with vulnerable children in a small non-government run nursery school for three months. The impact of dirty water, little food and virtually no healthcare resulted in the students’ lack of participation in educational activities. She watched bright young children who were eager to learn but struggled through poverty and witnessed the death of a young boy, as a result of AIDS. The impact of the boy’s death increased her enthusiasm and commitment to projects which support such children.

After leaving Kenya, she regularly visited the school with the hope of one day being able to support them. In April 2009, at the age of 23 she worked alongside UK donors and local Kenyan suppliers to launch the 'Food Programme' which provides the school with regular food supplies and educational materials. A year later she officially founded and registered Nia Children’s Foundation and aims to grow and expand this scheme across more schools in Africa.

Shezmin is the winner of the Social & Humanitarian Award at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2011. Click here for more information including press clipings and images of the awards ceremony.

Nia Children’s Foundation would like to thank the following companies for their support.

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