{"id":19795,"date":"2026-02-16T15:57:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T04:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/?post_type=article&p=19795"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:57:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T04:57:13","slug":"changing-lives-in-bangalore","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/article\/changing-lives-in-bangalore\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing lives in Bangalore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New to Santa Sabina, Imali is already living the Dominican spirit of service through the Akka Project, supporting children across four schools in Bangalore.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When most other 12\u2011year\u2011olds are settling into their first year of high school, Imali Bamji is also preparing for her third volunteer trip to India \u2013 work she proudly calls \u2018funateering\u2019 rather than volunteering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I don\u2019t really like to call it volunteering,\u2019 she says. \u2018I call it funateering<\/em> \u2013 because I love it so much.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imali\u2019s involvement in service began long before she arrived at Santa Sabina. Her mother volunteered in India as a teenager after moving there with her family, and the experience remained deeply embedded in her life. Years later, she hoped her children could carry that spirit forward \u2013 and so the Akka Project was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Akka Project brings Australian mothers and daughters to Bangalore to make an impact at Parikrma Humanity Foundation \u2013 to spend time assisting at four partner schools that support children living below the poverty line \u2013 many of whom come from nearby slums and face complex challenges in accessing education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It\u2019s a school for kids who are really struggling,\u2019 Imali explains. \u2018But they\u2019re so excited to learn. We go there, make friendships, help with lessons \u2013 and just play.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A day in the life of a \u2018funateer\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imali\u2019s description of a typical day reads like a mixture of school, community and joyful energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day begins with a ride through the city in an auto rickshaw or on the school bus, followed by morning assembly and cultural exchanges. Volunteers then help with a writing program, working with children who are strengthening their English literacy skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We go to different classes and help wherever we\u2019re needed,\u2019 she says. \u2018Sometimes we teach them about Australian culture. Sometimes we just hang out with the kids.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch is part of the immersive experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We have the same food as the kids. We sit and eat with our hands, just like they do. You\u2019re really with<\/em> them.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trips typically last 10\u201312 days, though the Bamji family often extends their stay to help prepare, set up and support the schools beyond classroom time. In 2026, the Akka Project participants will also donate books to the schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding joy, not obligation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Imali, service isn\u2019t about charity \u2013 it\u2019s about connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I just like interacting with kids who aren\u2019t addicted to their phones. It\u2019s real life. We\u2019re just having fun.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But her interest in India is deeper than play. She is observing, learning and growing into a global citizen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It\u2019s not just about service,\u2019 she says. \u2018It\u2019s also discovering and growing yourself too.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though still in Year 7, Imali talks about the future with some clarity. She\u2019s considering law, politics or even running the Akka Project full\u2011time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I want to keep doing this \u2013 and one day, do it with my own kids.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Santa Sabina, Imali is also passionate about Visual Arts, Music (she\u2019s a bass guitar player), Maths, Netball and wants to try out for Debating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imali sees a natural alignment between the Akka Project and Santa Sabina\u2019s Dominican values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I think it fits really well with the service ethos here,\u2019 she says. \u2018Volunteering for the greater good \u2013 and learning from others.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her commitment to compassion, community and joyful service is a powerful expression of the Dominican heart. Even as a new student, Imali is already a living example of how young people can shape a fairer world through relationship, courage and love while embracing our 2026 theme \u2013 Accept the Invitation. This theme encourages us to remain open to new possibilities, to growth and to the daily invitations God places before us in our learning and relationships. Imali has accepted our invitation to relationship, to purpose, to action.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

‘It\u2019s not just helping others. It\u2019s growing yourself as a global citizen.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As she settles into Year 7, one thing is clear: Imali Bamji doesn\u2019t just talk about making a difference. She\u2019s already doing it \u2013 and she\u2019s having fun every step of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

_________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imali Bamji has been named by the NSW Government in the NSW Women of the Year Awards 2026 Finalists. Imali is one of 10 \u2018Ones to Watch\u2019, a list which recognises young women aged 7 to 15, who demonstrate a single act or ongoing acts of courage, bravery, strength, determination and\/or kindness to help and support those around them, the next generation of rising stars. We are so proud of her!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.nsw.gov.au\/departments-and-agencies\/women-nsw\/awards-and-events\/nsw-women-of-year-awards\/nsw-women-of-year-awards-2026-finalists<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Akka means big sister in several Dravidian languages of South India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Victoria Harper<\/strong>
Editor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New to Santa Sabina, Imali is already living the Dominican spirit of service through the Akka Project, supporting children across four schools in Bangalore. When most other 12\u2011year\u2011olds are settling into their first year of high school, Imali Bamji is also preparing for her third volunteer trip to India \u2013 work she proudly calls \u2018funateering\u2019 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":19796,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","article_category":[4],"article_tag":[],"class_list":["post-19795","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_category-secondary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/19795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19795"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=19795"},{"taxonomy":"article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_tag?post=19795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}