Rana, the passionate founder of Art for Palestine, approached us with a compelling vision - to use art as a means to support Gazan refugees seeking to relocate to the United States and to fund the essential medical procedures provided by the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) for Gazans in need. Her mission was deeply rooted in compassion, aiming to alleviate the suffering of her fellow Gazans while showcasing her artistic talents.
Facing the challenge of limited resources and a desire to reach a broader audience, Rana sought our assistance in creating a comprehensive online platform. This platform needed to serve multiple functions - as an avenue to sell her art for charity, a means to raise funds for Gazan refugees, and a channel to generate income for her charitable endeavors through the sale of merchandise. The task was not only to develop a functional website but also to craft a brand identity that effectively communicated Rana's message and captured the hearts of potential supporters.
To bring Rana's vision to life, we embarked on a multifaceted solution. Our first step was to collaborate closely with Rana to define a brand identity that resonated with the essence of Art for Palestine. Drawing inspiration from Palestinian symbols, such as the olive tree, we carefully incorporated these elements into the brand identity. These symbols not only conveyed a deep connection to Palestine but also represented growth, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
We utilized a minimal color palette as the backdrop, allowing Rana's vibrant and expressive artwork to take center stage. Bright and bold colored accents were strategically introduced to complement her art, accentuating its vividness and emotional depth. This visual approach not only celebrated the colorfulness of her creations but also created a harmonious and visually appealing identity that drew visitors into the heart of Rana's cause.
Next, we designed and developed a user-friendly website that showcased Rana's artwork, allowing supporters to purchase her art pieces online. The website also included an e-commerce section where we created a range of merchandise inspired by Rana's art. These merchandise items served as an additional source of income for her charitable cause.
Through our collaborative efforts, we not only provided Rana with the tools to showcase her artistry but also created a platform that enabled her to channel her creative passion into meaningful change.
An e-commerce website
Merch, such as t-shirts, mugs, and posters
The famous Adivasi slogan of Komaram Bheem, jal, jungle, jameen (water, forest, land), provides the framework of this holistic rural development project. What started as a water management project eventually grew to cover livelihood and community development. Our project touched:
In addition to primary project work, we also did extensive cultural documentation, grassroots awareness on sexual assault and legal recourse, and research on caste and gender disparities.
During my tenure at Seva Mandir, I spearheaded a successful fundraising strategy by writing grants to major global funders, securing a remarkable 15 crore INR (approximately 2.5 million USD) in contributions.
Additionally, I conducted extensive grassroots research to identify areas of greatest need and formulated a comprehensive 5-year plan for allocating funds across three major regional blocks in Rajasthan, ensuring the most effective utilization of resources to uplift rural communities and foster sustainable development.
Through diligent grant writing and strategic engagement with donors, we achieved significant financial support, enabling the organization to continue its impactful work in addressing critical social and developmental challenges in rural Rajasthan, India.
During my tenure at Seva Mandir, I spearheaded a successful fundraising strategy by writing grants to major global funders, securing a remarkable 15 crore INR (approximately 2.5 million USD) in contributions.
Additionally, I conducted extensive grassroots research to identify areas of greatest need and formulated a comprehensive 5-year plan for allocating funds across three major regional blocks in Rajasthan, ensuring the most effective utilization of resources to uplift rural communities and foster sustainable development.
Through diligent grant writing and strategic engagement with donors, we achieved significant financial support, enabling the organization to continue its impactful work in addressing critical social and developmental challenges in rural Rajasthan, India.
In my mini-project, I conducted a detailed analysis of water budgeting and management practices at the village level in Parwat Kheri, Rajasthan. This comprehensive study delved into the community's water resources, consumption patterns, and conservation efforts, aiming to identify potential challenges and propose sustainable solutions to enhance water availability and usage efficiency in the region. The project shed light on the significance of localized water management strategies to address water scarcity and support the well-being of the residents in Parwat Kheri.
Our academic paper, co-authored with Laxmi Thakur and Varsha Rathore, explores the critical importance of providing rural women in Southern Rajasthan with leadership spaces, alongside capacity-building training. By presenting our research at the conference "FUTURE OF WOMEN ’20: The Next Generation of Women: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, and Equal Participation," we shed light on the significance of empowering women to become fully realized leaders within their communities. The paper advocates for a holistic approach to gender equality, emphasizing the need for both skills development and opportunities for women to take on leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and progressive society.
