Founding Story

Village Rise began with a simple belief in the power of community.

Manijeh Marvastian was raised in Iran within a large, close-knit extended family where service to others was woven into everyday life. From a young age, she watched her parents open their home and hearts to those around them. During religious holidays, her father prepared food for hundreds of people in the community. As a child, Manijeh eagerly helped, carrying bowls of rice and stew to her neighbors and people in need. What stayed with her was not simply the act of giving, but the connection it created, the shared humanity, the quiet joy, and the sense of belonging that followed.

Those early experiences shaped her understanding of community: that dignity matters, listening comes first, and meaningful support begins with trust.

After earning a degree in Computer Engineering and spending years in the corporate world, Manijeh felt called toward work centered on spiritual healing and human connection. She dedicated nearly two decades to spiritual healing and community work, deepening her belief that lasting change cannot be imposed from the outside—it must emerge from within the community itself.

This vision was strengthened through her partnership with her husband, Marz Attar. An entrepreneur, community builder, and lifelong seeker, Marz built and led successful businesses that expanded communication infrastructure across underserved regions of Appalachia. Through his work, he witnessed firsthand how investment, opportunity, and local leadership can transform communities. Guided by the principles of service, compassion, and care for one's neighbor, he became committed to supporting grassroots efforts that empower people to create lasting change.

Together, Manijeh and Marz share a belief that communities thrive when people are listened to, trusted, connected, and equipped to shape their own future. Their commitment has also been informed by decades of spiritual practice and study within the Sufi tradition, which emphasizes unity, service, and the interconnectedness of all people.

As they looked across communities facing barriers to education, economic opportunity, healthcare, and basic resources, they saw a common pattern: communities often knew what they needed, but lacked access to the support, partnerships, and resources necessary to bring those solutions to life. This realization inspired them to create an organization dedicated to walking alongside communities rather than prescribing solutions from afar.

In 2020, Village Rise was founded to turn that vision into action. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all programs, the organization was built on the belief that sustainable change begins by listening to communities and investing in their strengths. Today, Village Rise partners with communities across multiple countries to support initiatives focused on education, food security, health and wellness, housing, vocational training, and community-led development.

Over time, this approach has evolved into a growing network of partnerships rooted in trust, local leadership, and long-term sustainability. Whether supporting access to education, creating opportunities for women and youth, strengthening community infrastructure, or responding to local needs identified by residents themselves, Village Rise remains committed to empowering communities to lead their own development.

At its heart, Village Rise is grounded in the same values that shaped both Manijeh and Marz's lives: listening before acting, working in partnership, and approaching every community with respect, care, and reciprocity.

What began with simple acts of service has grown into a global commitment to strengthening communities and expanding opportunity. Guided by the belief that every community possesses wisdom, resilience, and potential, Village Rise continues to walk alongside those it serves, fostering pathways toward self-sufficiency, dignity, and lasting impact.

Because when people are trusted and empowered, they rise.