Dr. Manu Chandaria.
In the bustling heart of Kenya’s economic landscape, one name resonates with a profound commitment to societal upliftment: Dr. Manu Chandaria.
Hailed as one of Kenya’s “Founding Fathers of Philanthropy”, this eminent businessman and Chairman of the Chandaria Foundation embodies a giving spirit so deeply ingrained that he introduces himself simply as, “I am just a social worker”.
His life, a testament to decades of philanthropic endeavor, offers a compelling roadmap for what businesses can truly achieve beyond profit.
From Humble Beginnings: A Family’s Journey to Giving
Dr. Chandaria’s philanthropic journey is rooted in a rich family history. His father arrived in Kenya in 1916, initially aiming to earn 4,000 rupees and return to India.
However, after six months of working “from dawn to midnight,” his wages totaled only 120 rupees, shattering his initial dream.
This challenge spurred him to establish his own business in Ngara, which, through tireless work, surpassed his initial financial goal.
Instead of returning to India, Dr. Chandaria’s father called his entire family – siblings, cousins, and other relations – to Kenya.
They hailed from an “extremely arid part of India,” finding Kenya significantly more fertile.
Yet, farming was not an option for Asians in colonial Kenya, leading them to pursue business ventures.
From this formative experience, young Manu absorbed a crucial lesson: “To succeed and have an impact, you must work together”.
This ethos became a cornerstone of his life, transforming him into a man known for his ability to “bring people together”.
A Vision for Giving: Philanthropy from Day One
Dr. Chandaria’s commitment to giving emerged early in his life.
As a young man in his twenties, he confronted a pivotal question: how to foster a spirit of collaboration, particularly when introducing philanthropic initiatives that might be met with suspicion.
His foresight was remarkable; he envisioned philanthropy being “built-in to the company’s plan from day 1”.
He courageously proposed to his family, ” Even before we create wealth, we need to give back to the community.
Let us start a foundation. We start with what we have”. This bold idea was influenced by the pioneering models of the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations in the United States.
Initial resistance from his family was strong; they were a small company, seemingly lacking the wealth to establish such an entity.
However, through persistent convincing, the Chandaria family ultimately agreed, making an early commitment to allocate “a proportion of the profits… for social impact”.
Inspiration and Sacrifice: The Pillars of a Philanthropist
Dr. Chandaria attributes his embrace of philanthropy to two profound influences: the exemplary lives of his parents and his personal and religious philosophy as a Jain.
He vividly recalls watching his parents “work day and night to care for the family’s needs,” a challenging feat given that “that generation of Kenyan Asians had not had access to much education”.
His father, unable to read, write, or speak English, was “heavily dependent on others” for basic tasks like banking, leading him to resolve to educate his children “to the highest level he could afford so that they could have a better future”.
The 1940s wartime provided Manu and his brothers the opportunity to study in India and the US, making them among the first in their community to attend college.
During this period, they were deeply impacted by the example of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Chandaria recounts, “‘We were impressed by this man who had given all his life.
And the principle that came up with was sacrifice. Whenever you sacrifice, it brings true happiness'”.
These powerful examples inspired Manu, his brother, and cousins to forgo potential high-level careers in the US, choosing instead to return to Kenya and dedicate themselves to expanding the family business23.
A Life Dedicated to Impact: From Scholarships to Prisons
Upon their graduation, the family business employed 40 individuals. Within a “couple of years,” this number surged to 100, then to 450 in the early years of their involvement.
Crucially, by this point, they had already embarked on their journey of giving.
Recognizing that societal needs often “far outweigh any philanthropist’s ability,” they made an early decision to concentrate their efforts on two primary areas: higher education and disability.
Their commitment to education began modestly with “just one Scholarship”.
Today, this initiative has blossomed into “hundreds of scholarships,” administered by the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) on their behalf, with a notable preference given to girls over boys.
The focus on disability was a deeply personal choice, driven by the fact that Dr. Chandaria’s brother was deaf.
Over time, the Chandaria Foundation’s impact has expanded significantly, moving beyond its initial focus areas to include a broader spectrum of development.
Their work now encompasses “building schools, medical clinics, planting forests, and much, much more”.
The foundation’s reach is global, with active chapters established in Kenya, Uganda, Mumbai, and the United Kingdom.
A recent example of their enduring commitment to social welfare occurred in 2022, when the foundation donated KSh 10 million to support the rehabilitation of inmates at Langata Women’s Prison.
Their motivation is clear and unwavering: “‘All of us have a duty to society – when you are doing business, you are responsible from day 1 to help build the Society. This is regardless of whether you have a lot or a little.
It goes beyond just writing a cheque. It is beyond you and me as individuals – we are part of something much greater”.
The Chandaria Doctrine: Philanthropy as a Cornerstone of Business
Dr. Chandaria firmly believes that philanthropy is not merely a responsibility for leaders and corporations, but rather “a cornerstone of doing good business”.
He consistently challenges the notion that one needs vast wealth to contribute, offering a practical pathway:
“You don’t need a lot of money to give back – you can start by simply getting a few people together and planting trees”.
His advice to business leaders is pragmatic and empowering: begin where you are. ”
If you’re small, start your CSI program small and grow.”
He vehemently dismisses the delaying tactic of waiting to accumulate wealth, stating, ”If that’s the thinking, you’ll never get started.”
