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Zariya Foundation

Our
mission

Zariya is Urdu and means “source”.

Our mission is to be a source of inspiration and motivation for improvement, by encouraging everyone to be a transformative source of compassion, respect and love in their personal lives – independent of any religion or politics.

Our aim is to alleviate the suffering of the poor, abandoned, sick and dying and to uplift the standards of health and education for the youth around the world.

Projects

Inspiration

Mother Teresa & Me
Our first project is the innovative not for profit feature film Mother Teresa & Me that celebrates Mother Teresa’s message of “Love in Action” in a modern context. It is based on Mother Teresa’s vision and work and it shows the ‘woman behind the Saint’ with all her doubts. It inspires international audiences of all age and population groups to live a life with respect, tolerance and compassion in their daily lives.

Motivation

Love in Action

Our second project is the Love in Action Short Film Competition. It is a call to action directed towards young visionaries aged 16 to 22 and residing in Switzerland, inviting them to capture the essence of “Love in Action” in a short film format. In this way, we join in sharing tangible expressions of compassion through individuals or groups making simple, impactful, positive changes in those around them.

Improvement

Supporting grassroots initiatives
We believe that every person has every opportunity in their day to day lives to be a source of compassion, respect and love. We encourage everyone to promote universal human values in their personal environment and to actively use their own resources, skills and talents so that true change can happen from within as well as through the transformative and multiplying power of collective action.

Message from the Founders

The shock to meet poorest street children in Mumbai, India, moved Jacqueline and Richard Fritschi-Cornaz into ‘action’. The painting of Mother Teresa in a Bollywood film studio was the actual spark to establish the Zariya Foundation. The Zariya Foundation and the Mother Teresa & Me charity movie were founded in 2010, on the occasion of Mother Teresa’s birth centenary.

Beyond our first project, the production of the inspiring feature film Mother Teresa & Me, we now endeavor to motivate young people to use their own talents, skills and resources in joining our second project, the Love in Action Short Film Competition.

All net proceeds generated by our projects together with further donations continue to support grassroots programs and foundations that work for the destitute, the sick, the disabled and abandoned children and orphans, improving the standards of healthcare and education for those who need it the most.


We wholeheartedly thank all individual contributors, donors, companies, and organizations for their financial support, pro-bono activities and sharing the word, without which the realization of our projects and donations to our beneficiaries would not have been possible. In particular we thank our Donators, Patrons and Partners for their invaluable support, passionate efforts and generous contributions.

We continue to invite and welcome your support, contributions and encouragement.