Helping others is something that has always been important to Tahra ‘21 and Karan ‘19 Khanuja. In 2008, their parents Dr. Harpal “Paul” and Maria Khanuja started the Maryland chapter of Operation Walk, a private, non-profit, volunteer service organization that provides free surgical treatment for patients in developing countries suffering from disabling arthritis and other debilitating bone and joint conditions. Karan says that because giving back is her family’s business, it has become a part of their everyday lives. “We got very lucky that we were born into this,” Karan said. “Our parents have been serving others for as long as we can remember, so it’s just part of us, and we really want to make a difference in the world.”

Tahra and Karan work as non medical volunteers, donating their time to help the Operation Walk teams prepare for trips, fundraising throughout the year, and occasionally traveling with the team of surgeons, anesthesiologist, nurses and other volunteers. Tahra, who recently returned from Guyana in October says working with Operation Walk has helped cultivate her passion for global studies. “Being exposed to parts of the world I would not normally get to visit, and to do some good there and see different cultures and people and what they value is just really rewarding and has helped foster my love of the world.”
Karan says that in addition to helping her immerse herself in other cultures, being involved in Operation Walk has taught her to be grateful. “We learned from our parents that because we are so fortunate, it’s our duty to share what we have with others and give back because we have the means to make a difference,” said Karan. In 2017, Karan took part in the Trinidad and Tobago trip, and says experiencing a service trip firsthand helped her see the impact of the work she had been doing her entire life. “To actually go and experience a trip was so different because I got to see why my parents work so hard- it’s the people,” Karan said. “A lot of the patients have been in so much pain and waiting so long to walk again, so seeing them at the beginning and then at the end is so powerful.”
 
Above: Tahra Khanuja with the Operation Walk volunteers in Guyana. Below: Tahra '21 and Karan Khanuja '19 . Middle: Operation Walk doctors. Bottom: Karan spends time with a patient in recovery.
Tahra echoed her sister, recalling a patient in Guyana who received a bilateral knee surgery. “I got to visit him in the recovery room with my dad and we showed him a video we took of him walking before the surgery,” said Tara. “When the video ended, he started crying, and that was really emotional for me because it showed that to change just one person's life can be so rewarding and powerful.” Although helping just one patient is enough, Operation Walk is making an even bigger impact than that. One hospital in Guyana reported that given their resources, it takes three to four years to complete 43 surgeries, but in just one week, Operation Walk volunteers were able to complete 47 surgeries.  
Karan says that none of their work would be possible without the medical volunteers who selflessly donate their time and skills to help others. “They really inspire me, because these doctors are some of the best in their field, but they use their own vacation days, when they could be taking time to relax from their busy jobs, to do this work without pay,” Karan said.
In an effort to use their own resources and skills to do more, Tahra and Karan organized a school supply and clothing drive earlier this year at Bryn Mawr to collect items for children in the countries they visit. “We wanted to bring Bryn Mawr into the equation because we are very fortunate in our lives to have all the basic things we need and to go to a place like Bryn Mawr,” said Karan. “Being able to make a connection between Bryn Mawr and another place that is so in need was really powerful and made us all feel a little closer,” Tahra said.

Get involved with Operation Walk and follow the volunteers on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram @operationwalkmaryland.
 
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, The Bryn Mawr School is a private all-girls pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school with a coed preschool for ages 2 months through 5 years. Bryn Mawr provides students with exceptional educational opportunities on a beautiful 26-acre campus within the city limits. Inquisitive girls, excellent teaching, strong student-teacher relationships and a clear mission sustain our vibrant school community where girls always come first.