I did both.
Kala is one of the most inspiring women I have ever met. You can see her profile on facebook. Look for Kala Charlu, Mitu Foundation. She lists herself as housewife and mother. Recently, she received an Honorary Doctorate. Well deserved.
One of the first and saddest things I learnt about Kala is that she lost her daughter Mitu in a car accident. This propelled her to follow in Mitu's footsteps. Her daughter was a young university graduate who didn't take life for granted; she had been very socially involved, wanting to help the less fortunate.
The facet of Kala's organization that appeals to me most is her work supplying sanitary products to young women so that they do not have to quit school (or skip 5 days of work each month) for lack of sanitary protection, a problem that would never occur to us in Canada.
In Bengaluru, at her house, she asked if they could make any handicraft for us to sell for my fundraising, thus creating work for workers there also. I showed them how to make headbands and gift bags which they have been supplying to us for several years now. They get the fabric free from tailors' cuttings. And the quality of their work is always high.
I enjoy selling these knowing that the proceeds from when I purchase them are helping these young women in Bengaluru. The mark-up from their sale in Canada goes to help fund a school for poor children in Rajasthan and for Calcutta Rescue which helps hundreds of destitute people in Calcutta.
You can find out more at
http://mitufoundation.org/donate_for_dignity_during_periods
and theindiaconnection.org
Please visit Kala's facebook page and congratulate her on her Doctorate.
Well done, Kala! Dr. Kala, I mean.
