"I come as one, but I stand as ten thousand." – Maya Angelou

Angelou’s line came to my mind as soon as I started writing, because it summed up my journey with reimagining South Asian philanthropy.

When I began volunteering and advocating for young girls in my community, I was never truly alone. My sisters accompanied me, my mother joined the sessions, and together we welcomed girls into spaces where we talked about mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and simply held space for one another. Over time, these sessions evolved, expanding to include themes such as women in theatre, community building, the art of questioning, building resilience, and embracing identity.

Baloch Zaalbol Hub (an initiative), which my sister and I started, was created to bring together young Baloch girls, especially from Turbat and nearby areas, to explore who they are, learn about their mental and physical health, and grow alongside one another. It was built on values of empathy, self-awareness, sisterhood, intergenerational learning, confidence-building, and community-rooted leadership.

We realised how much we had gained from our own education and experiences, and we felt a responsibility to give back to the community that raised us. It was our way of paying it forward with limited resources but limitless love and dedication. That is how the journey began.

From Recipients to Leaders: Baloch Girls as Agents of Change in Reimagining South Asian Philanthropy

These sessions were never just about sharing knowledge. They were about creating spaces where girls could reflect, express, and grow together personally, and creatively. The girls who joined brought a deep sense of shared ownership. For them, volunteering meant more than just showing up. It meant finding ways to stay connected, to be part of the initiative, and to ensure the sessions continued. They helped set up spaces, supported one another, and eagerly looked for opportunities to contribute to future gatherings.

Even with so little, these girls and women offer so much. Their generosity, determination, and resilience are a form of leadership that deserves to be recognised on their own terms, and provide a model for reimagining South Asian philanthropy.

Read the full article about Baloch women's leadership by Mahan Aslam at Alliance Magazine.