There are beginnings that arrive with ceremony, and there are those that begin quietly, almost imperceptibly, with a simple gesture of kindness. For the Aariz Neonatal Hope Foundation, its first steps were taken around a dinner table in Pailles, surrounded by children, conversation and smiles. On Monday evening, 7 September, the newly established foundation welcomed the children of M-Kids Mission to a symbolic dinner, marking the official beginning of its work in Mauritius.
It was a simple gesture, but one filled with meaning. There were no grand declarations or elaborate ceremonies. Instead, the foundation chose to begin where its values are most clearly expressed: among children, through an evening of sharing and a gesture intended to bring a little happiness. For Nuzha Auckburally-Dawood, Founder of the Aariz Neonatal Hope Foundation, seeing the children’s smiles was enough to give the occasion its meaning. “We wanted the launch of the Foundation to be, above all, a moment of sharing with children,” she said. “Seeing their smiles and being able to give them an enjoyable evening gives this first initiative its true meaning.”
Behind those words lies a deeply personal story.
Aariz, the son whose name the foundation carries, died from neonatal sepsis in November 2025. His death left an absence that no organisation, initiative or act of charity could ever erase. But for his parents, his memory has also become a reason to act. The foundation, established in 2026, seeks to transform that personal tragedy into something that can serve others. Its work will focus on supporting children and families, promoting awareness of neonatal health and, in particular, neonatal sepsis, while developing initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people.
It is a mission that comes from experience rather than abstraction.
For families confronted with the fragility of a newborn’s life, questions surrounding neonatal health can be overwhelming. By placing awareness and education at the heart of its work, the foundation hopes to help bring greater understanding to an issue that remains unfamiliar to many until it touches their own lives.
Its ambitions extend beyond awareness.
The foundation also hopes to build partnerships with businesses, organisations, volunteers and healthcare professionals, recognising that meaningful community work is rarely achieved in isolation. Its longer-term vision is to create practical initiatives capable of offering sustained support to children and families across Mauritius. The evening at M-Kids was therefore only a beginning. For the children who attended, it was an opportunity to enjoy a meal and spend time together. For the foundation, it was an opportunity to put its philosophy into practice , quietly, directly and without losing sight of the people it hopes to serve. “Aariz will always remain at the heart of our engagement,” Nuzha said, “but our willingness now is to look towards the future and build, with the support of the community, actions that can truly make a difference.”
That shift from remembrance towards action lies at the heart of the foundation’s story.
The organisation is not seeking to distance itself from the grief that gave rise to it. Rather, it is choosing to carry that grief differently: by allowing Aariz’s memory to become a source of kindness for others. The founders hope the foundation will eventually become more than a vehicle for charitable initiatives. They envision it as a place where families can find solidarity, understanding and hope. “We hope that this Foundation will become a space of solidarity, listening and hope for families who need it,” Nuzha said.
It is an aspiration that gives the foundation’s name a significance beyond remembrance.Hope, in this context, is not presented as an easy answer to loss. It is something more grounded, the decision to continue, to give, to support another family, to raise awareness, or simply to bring joy to a child for an evening. The foundation has thanked M-Kids for its welcome, along with the sponsors, volunteers, loved ones and partners who contributed to making its first initiative possible. There will be other initiatives in the months ahead: community activities, awareness efforts and collaborations designed to broaden the foundation’s reach.
About the Aariz Neonatal Hope Foundation
The Aariz Neonatal Hope Foundation is a philanthropic initiative founded in 2026 in Mauritius by Nuzha Auckburally-Dawood and Marwan Dawood. Established in memory of their son Aariz, it works to promote hope, compassion and support for children and families, with particular attention to neonatal health and raising awareness of neonatal sepsis.
