Our Vision
A world where every individual and community thrives, free from the burdens of poverty and injustice.
Our Mission
Partner with people and communities to fulfill their basic human needs and empower them to reach their potential by providing education, nutrition, healthcare support, sustainability programs, and cultural engagement.
Core Values
Justice and Equity
We believe everyone deserves access to education, safe housing, nutritious food, clean water, and opportunities to provide for themselves and their families.
Community-Led Empowerment
We trust that communities best understand their needs and should lead the way in developing their own solutions.
Collaboration & Partnership
We value the power of collective effort, recognizing that meaningful and lasting change happens when we work together.
Sustainability
We are dedicated to building resilient programs and systems alongside communities to ensure lasting impact and long-term benefits.
Compassion & Empathy
We approach every endeavor with genuine care and understanding, striving to ease suffering and foster supportive, respectful relationships.
Our Story
Manijeh Marvastian was raised in a large extended family in Iran, and spent her earliest years helping her family serve others in their community.
“My parents inspired me to help others,” she says. “During religious holidays my father prepared food for hundreds of people. As a child, I loved to bring bowls of rice and stew to the people. Seeing the joy on their faces lifted my heart.”
After earning a degree in Computer Engineering and spending many years in the corporate world, Manijeh pivoted, dedicating herself to the field of spiritual healing for nearly two decades. She founded Village Rise, a nonprofit that collaborates with local and international organizations to empower individuals and build self-sustaining communities. Focusing on education, housing, healthcare, and cultural preservation, Village Rise uplifts women, children, and the underserved. Guided by deep listening and local wisdom, her mission remains the same: to bring love, justice, and lasting change.
Our Approach
Village Rise is a 501(c)(3) organization and holds no political or religious agenda; instead our goals arise from within the communities we work with. “You must first listen and then convey that you are there to provide resources and guidance. When the people believe in your commitment to them and know their voice will drive the mission, you have the right mix for success,” said Manijeh.
Village Rise is a collaborative partner empowering communities to build a brighter future. We believe in the power of local leadership and invest in long-term relationships to address root causes of poverty and inequality. By co-creating sustainable solutions with our partners, we unlock human potential and foster resilient communities. Our work is grounded in empathy, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to education and equity.
Our work focuses on fostering collective action to create transformational, systemic change that truly meets the needs of the local population. Since its inception, Village Rise has partnered with organizations in three countries, working across linguistic, cultural, and racial barriers to co-create solutions that are replicable, sustainable, and impactful. By addressing challenges in a way that restores hope, dignity, and pride, we help people overcome obstacles and build brighter futures.
At Village Rise we have seen the need for our services grow to a stage that makes it ripe for collaboration. “Our leadership is actively inviting new partners to work with us to have long lasting impacts and affect meaningful change in even more communities within our global village.”
