Bilaal Rajan (born September 7, 1996 in Toronto, Ontario) is UNICEF Canada’s child ambassador, fundraiser, globally recognized motivational speaker, author and founder of The Making Change Now organization that heightens awareness of youth and environmental issues and helps children worldwide.
“My main goal is to have one million people take action, get involved in their communities and help create a better world,” says Rajan, whose accomplishments became the content of his newly-published, best-selling book, Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever (Orca Books). In it, Rajan focuses on being creative, thinking big.
Real Name | Bilaal Rajan |
|---|---|
Date of birth | September 7, 1996 |
Place of birth | Toronto, Ontario |
Age (as in 2021) | 24 |
Nationality | Canadian |
Residence | Richmond Hill |
School | Lakefield College High School High School (2009-2013) |
University | Stanford University Bachelor of Science – BS (School of Engineering), Product Design (2014-2018 |
Experience |
|
Profession | Motivational Speaker, Author |
Work Written | Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever (November 2008) |
Founder | Making Change Now (July 2014 – Present) |
Ambassador | UNICEF Canada National Ambassador (March 2005 – Present) |
License and Certification | Advanced Open Water, Emergency First Provider, and Rescue Diver Certification (PADI) (Issued 2010) |
Language skills | English French Spanish |
Documentary | My Name is Bilaal |
Early Life
Bilaal Rajan started raising funds when he was only four years old by selling clementines door-to-door in his neighborhood to raise C$350 for the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat, India in 2001. He also raised $1200 for HIV/AIDS orphans by selling homemade plastic plates and sold cookie boxes to raise over $6,000 for the affected people and children of Hurricane-devastated Haiti, raised $50,000 for the victims of the tsunami in south-east Asia,[3] and more than $50,000 for the World Partnership Walk.
UNICEF Brand Ambassador
Bilaal Rajan launched the Canada Kids Earthquake Challenge for UNICEF in 2004 when he was only eight years old and from that he raised $1.8 million for tsunami relief. He raised over $5 million for various causes to date, and since March 2005 he is an official ambassador for UNICEF.
Awards
Bilaal Rajan is a recipient of more than 20 awards which includes-
- The Huggable Hero Award, 2009
- The Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, 2009
- The Kids to Kids National Service Award, 2010
- The Changing Our World/Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, 2010.
Meating Nelson Mandela
Rajan met Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa, in July 2009 to discuss his upcoming youth initiatives. He also spoke to the students of several schools in South Africa.
Some facts about Bilaal Rajan
- In August 2009, Rajan traveled to New York and was featured in a CNN story about his fundraising work and raising money for children in the developing world.
- Rajan has also co-developed the online charitable gaming website SudokuHub ,where visitors play Sudoku to raise funds for food for children in developing countries.
- In 2011, Rajan spoke at TEDx Toronto on the theme of redefining philanthropy.
