Growing up in India, Anaghaa Nandishwar Gauri was always social and outgoing. She loved connecting with others. But when she and her family moved to Canada, she suddenly felt alone and invisible, disconnected from the systems and the culture surrounding her.

For a while, it seemed like “blending in” would be enough. But her perspective changed when she met a fellow student who was also ignored by his classmates – a boy with an intellectual disability.

“Watching him brought back the ache of invisibility I once felt,” Anaghaa said. “I realized that if I had the ability to see this problem, then I had the responsibility to act.”

In response, Anaghaa founded a Best Buddies chapter at her school. The program helps foster one-to-one friendships between kids with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, creating opportunities for meaningful connections, inclusion, mutual understanding and fun.

“People often come in with ideas of how things are going to be,” Anaghaa said. “I felt that this could be a real learning moment, that a lot of preconceived notions could be dissolved and we could make sure that everyone is actually involved in the community.”

It wasn’t easy at first. One lesson Anaghaa learned early on was that change often starts small: “I had to advocate to teachers and coordinate with administration,” Anaghaa said. “I had to convince skeptical students that it mattered. At our first meeting, only a few people showed up.”

But slowly, the culture began to shift. Lunchtimes became more inclusive, and Anaghaa and those who joined her began to see that simply including others and helping them feel less alone could have a profound impact. “My buddy, who once barely spoke in public, began telling jokes and sharing stories,” Anaghaa said. “Later, he handed me a handwritten note that said, ‘Thank you for giving me friends.’”

Now a life sciences student at McMaster University in Ontario, Anaghaa is studying to become a physician and also plans to use her degree not only for patient care but also for research and community and public health. She is especially passionate about programs, resources, and public and educational policies that support youth with cognitive and developmental differences. “I know that I want to build a future where inclusivity is the expectation,” she said.

As the daughter of an IBO, Anaghaa sees those same core values reflected in Amway. “No matter how much we moved, at every time in our lives, Amway has always been connected, always been there and given us support,” she said. “They’ve been like another type of family.”

Anaghaa hopes that her story inspires others to step up for their own communities. “To me, hope isn’t just optimism – it’s the quiet belief that change is possible, and the courage to be that change when no one else will.”

Her advice for others who are looking to make a positive impact is simple: “Put yourself out there and make sure you’re available for others,” she said. “Even the smallest actions can make a difference in someone’s life.”