Earlier this year, renowned artist Shreya Mehta donated the proceeds of one of her gorgeous paintings to C2C. Eight girls are receiving an education, room and board this year because of Shreya’s generosity.
“Humankind is made up of two sexes, women and men. Is it possible for humankind to grow by the improvement of only one part while the other part is ignored? Is it possible that if half of a mass is tied to earth with chains that the other half can soar into skies?”
--Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, first President of Turkey
When I was younger, I thought I could CHANGE the world and make it a better place—by doing something big. I was wrong. I’ve realized that change takes place by small but steady steps.
When I was introduced to Commit2Change, the organization’s mission statement--to create systematic and cultural change by educating abandoned and impoverished girls—touched me.
C2C first encourages people to “imagine a world where poverty, abuse, indentured servitude and sexual slavery are so common that misfortune is considered a way of life; where children are abandoned because they are diseased, or considered a burden and a curse.”
And then C2C reminds you that more than 30 million children in India don’t have to imagine. It is their reality, and a disproportionate number of those children are girls.
Why C2C?
I was drawn to C2C because they see the problem, but they also see a solution: education. They want to break barriers and invest in the power of girls. But they can’t do it alone.
The question is: How do we help those who need help? How do we judge who needs and who doesn’t?
My answer is simple: Get in touch with people who are directly involved.
When I met C2C co-founder Sumana Setty last summer, she told me all the events that led to the creation of C2C. She shared the direct impact dollar to dollar that C2C has. It opened my eyes.
Other members of C2C told me of the organization’s amazing follow-up communications—that after someone donates, C2C sends pictures of how that donation helped those who needed it.
C2C clearly was not a “Here, take my money, and then bye-bye” organization. There is a real interaction and a dedicated staff at the other end, to help with receiving donations and doing the work.
The Art of Donation
If we are to help humanity, then we have to invest in educating and empowering girls. So for my small step, I chose to donate my art to C2C. If that baby step can help even one life, my work is done.
About a year ago, I launched ART for A Cause. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of all my artwork goes to charity. Since its launch, through the sale of artwork, this project has given more than $100,000 to those who need it.
This is why I chose C2C. Through the combination of my small, steady steps and theirs, we’re working together to do something big.
For more info on the artwork, please visit: www.shreyamehta.com.