Shivani Mittal has been a Board Member at Ruraq Maki for the past three years. Here she discusses the vital role she plays in the organization and what motivates her to keep going.
Why are you a Board Member of Ruraq Maki?
Being a woman and coming from a country where more than 20% of population lives below the poverty line, I have always felt a very strong affinity to support the needs of women all around the world. After finishing my graduate school, I moved to the Bay Area in California for my job. Soon I started exploring opportunities to bring a meaningful change in the lives of impoverished women in underdeveloped nations and joined Ruraq Maki to make this aspiration come true.
Ruraq Maki supports incarcerated women in Peru and female weavers in Bolivia in a very unique way. Focused on identifying different talents in these women, we help them gain expertise in their area of interest by organizing various classes and workshops. The organization creates economic opportunities for these women by selling their beautiful products in United States along with helping them acquire the necessary skills that will earn them a livelihood on a permanent basis.
What do you do?
I am responsible for driving Ruraq Maki’s Sales and Marketing efforts. In this capacity I am on a continuous lookout for opportunities to exhibit and sell Ruraq Maki products at fair trade prices. I coordinate with craft fairs and festivals all across the Bay Area throughout the year.
I am also involved in fundraising efforts and seek donations from individuals and local businesses in the area.
Why do you love doing it?
I have always been keen on giving back to the community. Supporting other women gives me a sense of immense peace and pleasure. Bringing a positive change in someone’s life is a valuable and unequaled experience for me.
I personally feel very confident that Ruraq Maki has succeeded in bringing rays of hope and joy in the lives of many underprivileged women which is why I love what I do for this organization.
