Meet Wareesha
Founder and Community Builder
For the past 15 years, I've dedicated myself to planning and leading community events that bring people together in celebration, understanding, and joy.
Born in Pakistan, I grew up witnessing firsthand how vibrant, fun events serve as the heartbeat of community life. From colorful festivals to intimate gatherings over chai, I saw how these moments created bonds that transcended differences and built lasting connections.
I grew up in York, Pennsylvania after moving from Pakistan and I noticed that community and diversity were seriously missing in my new environment.
This is why even as early as high school, I was planning campus-wide events that brought students together for fun and celebration. When I moved to Penn State for my undergraduate degree, I started organizing events that became touchstones for our university community.
Events like Unity Week (a week-long event celebrating all the cultures on campus), Holi (the Indian festival of color), Eid (the muslim holiday celebrating the end of ramadan), and Indo-Pak: Reviving the Bond (the largest collaboration between a Pakistani and Indian organization in Penn State's history), all allowed me to celebrate diversity and create spaces where everyone felt welcome.
After years of organizing countless socials and cultural events, I noticed something troubling: our communities were losing their third spaces. Those informal gathering places where people naturally come together were disappearing fast!
This is why, in October 2025, I founded Camels and Chai, so that I could have a dedicated space to do this work. With Camels and Chai I have hosted several art workshops and fun events, and collaborated with local mosques and schools to bring people together. The response to Camels and Chai has been incredible, confirming what I've always believed: people are hungry for authentic, joyful community experiences.
My ultimate vision is to create a vibrant calendar of programming for people in Maryland and the DMV area. I am inspired by the rich cultural traditions of the Muslim world and all the vibrance that comes from our countries. But more than that, I want to recreate those third spaces where community naturally flourishes, where friendships form over shared experiences, and where everyone feels they belong.
If any of this resonates with you, then please come attend one of our events or reach out so we can schedule a private experience for your friends, family, or community group. Lets create something beautiful together!
Our Mission
Camels and Chai connects people through art workshops, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings inspired by Muslim traditions. We create spaces where creativity flows, friendships form, and everyone belongs.