- 23 September, 2025
September 20, 2025
At just ten years old, while most children her age spend their free time watching television or playing video games, Rachel Jasmina Dias, a Goan girl based in Dubai, has her sights set on something far greater: changing the world through books, kindness, and hope. A Year 6 student at a British curriculum school in Dubai, Rachel is the founder of The Rachel Foundation, an initiative dedicated to improving literacy for underprivileged children.
Founded in May 2023, the foundation works to ensure that every child has the opportunity to go to school and access resources that can spark curiosity and growth. “I want children to have access not just to classrooms but also to storybooks, learning materials, and other resources that can help them learn and dream,” says Rachel earnestly.
Inspiration Behind the Foundation
Interestingly, the idea for The Rachel Foundation didn’t originate with Rachel herself. “It was actually proposed by Verma D’Mello, a renowned fashion designer from Goa,” Rachel explains. “Verma has always been passionate about giving back to the community, especially helping children who don’t have access to education. Inspired by her encouragement, my mother and I decided to take the step and create the Rachel Foundation.”
Impact So Far
Since its inception, The Rachel Foundation has donated over 6,000 books to underprivileged children across five countries, including Mauritius, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Rachel’s home state of Goa in India. Its flagship initiative, Books for All, is a collaboration with the Diocesan Society of Education in Goa, through which church-run schools in the state have received hundreds of books to establish libraries for their students.
Beyond Books – Bracelets for a Cause
Rachel’s mission extends beyond books. She channels her creativity into crafting and selling bracelets to fund the education of girls from underprivileged families in India while also supporting individuals with special needs in Dubai. “Every bracelet helps kids go to school or supports people with special needs, so every purchase really makes a difference!” she says.
Family Support – The Backbone of Her Success
When asked about her success, Rachel is quick to credit her family. “My family has always been my biggest source of guidance and support. My twin brother, Troy, is not just my sibling but also my best friend. Having a family that believes in you makes all the difference,” she says.
Rachel's mother, Remediana (Remy) Dias, a former teacher at Manovikas School in Goa, serves as both her mentor and manager.
“I help Rachel organise her ideas, manage communications, and ensure everything runs smoothly, but the vision and the heart of the foundation truly come from Rachel,” she says with pride.
Remy advocates for balance in technology use at home. While Rachel and her twin brother Troy don’t own smartphones, they are allowed limited iPad use for learning and play. “Screens are tools—not substitutes for real-world experiences,” Remy stresses.
The Power of Reading in Childhood
For Remediana, reading remains the cornerstone of childhood development in today’s screen-saturated world.
“Even with all the devices around, it’s essential to build a routine where reading feels fun and natural,” she says. She encourages parents to read with their children and make books part of family life. “When children see parents enjoying reading, they naturally pick up the habit themselves,” she adds.
Rachel’s father, Terence, echoes a similar view. “Children learn most from what they see their parents do,” he says. “I Remy and, as parents, try to model good habits like reading as well as good values such as honesty, kindness, empathy, and responsibility every day.” Rachel and Troy were also deeply influenced by stories of their grandmother’s (Terence’s mother’s) generosity, which continue to inspire them.
Multi-Talented and Ambitious
Rachel’s life is anything but one-dimensional. She is a talented swimmer who has won several medals, a budding artist, and a consistent academic achiever. She also served as the Girls’ Sports Captain of her school’s Primary Student Council.
Beyond her school achievements, Rachel is the Reading Ambassador for the We Love Reading Programme by Jordan’s Taghyeer Organisation, conducting storytelling sessions across schools and nurseries in Dubai and India. She also became a published author with her book Rose Never Gives Up, which was launched at the Sharjah International Book Fair in November 2024.
The Inspiring Bookworm
Rachel's belief is clear: books change lives. And with her bracelets, reading sessions, and boundless energy, this young Goan girl is proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.
As her mother beautifully puts it, “Reading is never uncool. It opens minds, sparks creativity, and builds knowledge. Calling someone a ‘bookworm’ should be a compliment.”
And if there’s anyone who makes being a bookworm inspiring, it’s Rachel Jasmina Dias—a girl with bracelets on her hands, stories in her heart, and dreams too big to fit on a single page.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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