Dear members and friends of the ZTFE,

The ZTFE is launching an appeal on behalf of Zarine Pavri, a 42-year-old mother of four and a much-loved member of our global Zoroastrian community.

Originally from Canada, Zarine moved to Udvada some years ago and has made it her home, raising her children there and contributing meaningfully to community life. She was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on her 40th birthday.

She has since undergone multiple surgeries, with a further procedure scheduled in the coming days. We are glad to share that Zarine is doing well at present and remains in good spirits as she prepares for the next stage of her treatment. Her sister, Meher Pavri, currently in the UK, has also appealed for help with the costs the family is now facing.

Zarine is known to many of us as a co-founder of the Clean & Green Udvada initiative, a yoga teacher, and someone who has spent her adult life in quiet service to others, both within the community and beyond it. She is now in the position of needing the support of the community she has so consistently served.

A note from the family: The family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and concern from across the community. However, the volume of messages has become overwhelming at what is already a very demanding time. We kindly ask that members do not message Zarine or her husband Dara directly. The best way to show your support at this time is through a contribution to this appeal.

This fundraiser has been set up specifically so that members and friends in the UK can contribute in GBP. Funds raised will be distributed with the assistance of our Indian partner, the WZOTF, to ensure they reach Zarine and her family promptly and are applied where they are most needed.

Funds raised will go directly toward:

We ask the ZTFE membership and the wider community to please contribute as generously as you are able. Even modest donations, pooled across the community, will make a real difference.

How to donate

You can contribute via this fundraiser, or alternatively donate directly to the ZTFE. To donate directly, please contact the Secretary or the Treasurer, who will be happy to assist with the arrangements.

A longer-term proposal

This appeal has highlighted that the ZTFE has no standing mechanism to respond quickly when a member of our community faces a sudden illness or comparable difficulty. We intend to establish a dedicated corpus fund so that future appeals of this kind can be addressed promptly, without the delay involved in raising funds from scratch each time.

If you would consider contributing to the corpus of such a fund, whether as a one-off donation or a recurring commitment, please contact me directly so we can discuss it further.

With thanks for your continued support,

Javid Canteenwala

Honourary Secretary- Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE)