Hearts behind the Foundation: Dolly Malvai

Prema Sagar & Dolly Malvai
in 2001

“Compassion, empathy, and love are the real pillars we need to build within ourselves to become human.” – Loknath

My association with Genesis Foundation began in 1996 when I joined Prema Sagar. From being associated with Missionaries of Charity to care for critically ill children, helping those in need through personal capacity, Prema was always at the forefront.

Prema Sagar & Dolly Malvai at the
Kasauli Rhythm & Blues Festival, 2019

Why give?

What resonated with me further was that these were the same values that were inculcated in me by my parents. Generous giving was a way of life for them and eventually it became mine too, as I grew up.

Being an individual who connects on the emotional front, I feel for others. When someone like Prema, who is like an elder sister to me, does something good, it impacts me. It motivated me to push myself to do good as well.

Dolly Malvai with the Genesis Foundation
team at a fundraiser

Genesis Foundation’s Establishment

Every now and then, through Prema I was also involved in acts of charity helping to care for critically ill children. But after formally getting registered as an NGO in May of 2001, our work began.

With a small team at the Foundation, I was the jack of all trades helping through organizing events, fundraisers, hospital visits, checking cases as and when they came in etc. I’ve made some of the best memories in the last 24 years of being associated with Prema and in turn with the Foundation meeting the most resilient children and heartening parents.

As more people got associated with the Foundation, connecting with us as donors and volunteers, our little family who believed in our cause also expanded. From doctors to hospitals to expanding corporate partners, by 2016 we had a steady team in place with defined roles maintaining a workflow connecting with parents and counselling them on every step. The Foundation’s vision and mission were also redefined as treating children with Congenital Heart Defects became our primary focus.

Dolly Malvai with our miracle
baby ‘Baby of Rekha’

My Journey

To say that I’m deeply associated with Genesis Foundation is incorrect because it’s more than that, it’s a part of my life now. As I continue to review all the cases that come to the Foundation, it reinstates my faith in the good that is possible through us.

I’ve seen children through their surgeries and growing up to get education, living a normal life to achieve their dreams and nothing could bring me more happiness than knowing I was a part of it. In Michelle Obama’s words, “You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world as it should be”, hence working towards ensuring that every child has the basic right to quality medical care is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my life.