Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarini.
Hi Tarini, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Footprints & Pages started from a very personal place. I founded the organization while I was still in high school, driven by a genuine desire to help others and give back to communities in need around the world. What began as a small book drive at a local elementary school quickly turned into something much bigger than I ever expected. The support and enthusiasm from students, families, and teachers was incredible, and it showed me how much impact a simple idea could have.
That experience inspired me to expand beyond one event, and soon Footprints & Pages was created. Today, we’re a nonprofit focused on helping poverty-stricken villages worldwide through fundraisers and community initiatives. I’m incredibly proud to work alongside a dedicated team of student leaders who share the same passion for service. Even as we’ve grown, our mission has stayed the same, to make a real difference while inspiring others to get involved and create positive change in their own communities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of our biggest challenges early on was building awareness, getting people to understand who we were, why our mission mattered, and how their support could make a real impact. Along with that came the challenge of encouraging people to donate, especially as a student-led organization where we were still building credibility.
Another struggle was getting high school students involved as volunteers. Many students want to help but are already balancing school, activities, and other commitments, so showing them that they could make a meaningful difference while being part of something special took time. We also faced challenges securing sponsorships from companies, since reaching out as a small, growing nonprofit meant dealing with rejections and unanswered emails.
Despite these obstacles, each challenge pushed us to become more persistent, creative, and confident. Over time, we learned how to better tell our story, build relationships, and grow a team that truly believes in our mission.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing shoes and books to children worldwide who cannot afford them.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was very talkative and naturally outgoing, but I also had a strong desire to help others in any way I could. I always wanted to be involved, whether it was helping my mom in the kitchen, trying to carry groceries for my dad even when I was clearly too small, or offering to help wherever I saw a need.
That same mindset followed me into school. I loved helping teachers pass out papers or collect assignments. It wasn’t about recognition, I genuinely enjoyed being useful and making things easier for the people around me. Looking back, that instinct to help and be involved really shaped who I am today and laid the foundation for why starting Footprints & Pages felt so natural.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://footprintsandpages.base44.app/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/footprintsandpages?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/footprintsandpages
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107699884/admin/dashboard/
