Rooted in Love, Grown from Purpose
Our Story
At the heart of Return to Vital Roots is a family — one barefoot in the grass, one hand in the soil, one vision held between them.
We are Ali, Kendra, and Elizay — a Pakistani-American family building something ancient and new: a movement that returns us to what matters most. A movement rooted in healing the Earth, honoring the sacred, and creating a future where our children — and yours — grow up in harmony with the natural world.
This is not just a nonprofit. It’s a living, breathing legacy.
Born from two cultures and one shared longing for reconnection, Return to Vital Roots began with a simple question: What would the world look like if we came home to nature — and to ourselves?
Dream it.
Return to Vital Roots began as a dream: a vision of a world where humans, animals, and nature live in harmony. Inspired by the beauty of our planet and the urgent need for change, we knew we had to act.
We grow with nature.
Build it.
We are building a sanctuary where animals find safety, the land is restored through permaculture, and communities come together to reconnect with nature. From our home in Southern Indiana, we are growing a movement of hope.
Grow it.
Through hands-on workshops and outreach programs, we’re empowering people to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives. Every garden planted and every skill learned is a step toward a better future.
Protect it.
Our commitment to conservation drives everything we do. By protecting wildlife and restoring natural habitats, we ensure a thriving planet for future generations. Every step we take safeguards the Earth’s delicate balance.
Share it.
Change doesn’t happen alone. We’re creating a global community of individuals who care deeply about the Earth, sharing knowledge and inspiration to amplify our impact. Together, we can inspire action that reaches far and wide.
Sustain it.
Our work is just beginning. With your support, we aim to create a network of eco-villages, sanctuaries, and permaculture hubs that will sustain communities and protect the planet for generations to come.
Rooted in Rituals
We believe nature isn’t separate from daily life — it is daily life. That’s why we grow, cook, gather, and share in rhythm with the Earth. Through Khan’s Kitchen and our homestead vision, we celebrate soul-filled food rooted in Pakistani heritage and local wild abundance.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about returning.
Why This Matters
We do this because we believe our children deserve a future of wildflowers, not wildfires.
Because climate justice is cultural justice.
Because hope is a seed — and we are the ones who must plant it.
This story is ours — but it’s also yours.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the state of the world, but deeply called to help heal it — welcome. You’ve found your roots.
Be Part of What We’re Growing
This is more than a mission — it’s a movement. A return to what matters, and a path forward for all of us.
If you’re longing to live in alignment with the Earth…
If you believe healing is possible — for people, for the planet, for future generations…
Then you already belong here.
Together, we can grow something enduring: rooted in nature, nourished by community, and blooming with hope.