Copy of FRIENDS OF NAARI
FRIENDS OF NAARI
Many people have helped foster the success of Himalayan Naari. In particular, long term volunteers have made tremendous contributions to the organization.
Norah Gaughan has generously designed our recent Naari product lines. As a renown international designer, author and editor of Vogue Knitting, she brings incredible design skills to our Naari team. Norah has created our cable knits, using some of the techniques she describes in her book “Knitted Cable Sourcebook”. In her brilliance, she has also creatively adapted the traditional Aipan painting of the Kumaon region and turned their rich designs into exciting and fun hats and cowls.
The multi-media artist, Marina Powdermaker, generously left a legacy to Himalayan Naari that has enabled us to start our on-line store. As a sister artist, Marina recognized the talent of the Naari artisans and committed to supporting their efforts.
Amanda Novotney, Danielle Dacus and Julia Olsen served as interns for Himalayan Naari in our early years. These dedicated young women spent months in Chakouri setting up the program, training the leaders and working on product development. In addition, they led the Nutrition Initiative – founding Healthy HIC and coordinating the research and follow-up.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT OUR WORK
Sewpportive Friends trains women and girls in rural villages in Africa to make home-sewn, washable, reusable feminine hygiene products. They brought their training to mothers- daughters pairs and Naari women in the fall of 2022
A division of Creative Learning, Aid to Artisans creates economic opportunities for artisan groups around the world where livelihoods, communities, and craft traditions are marginal or at risk. They provided funds to Himalayan Naari to build our wool bank, so that we have an assured supply of materials to make our products.
Keepers of the Earth fund of Cultural Survival is giving critical support to provide healthcare access to the women and girls of Chaukori.
Thistle Farms Global Market is an on-line marketplace selling products from women across the world. They have been wonderful customers of Naari products and have provided generous operational support during the pandemic.
MERRILL FAMILY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Merrill Family Charitable Foundation (MFCF) has supported a number of Naari’s startup initiatives including creating a wool fund to assure that artisans have the resources they need to work consistently. Their generosity allows us to take the risks of new ventures to strengthen the Naari community.
Paxworks has generously supported the Women and Girls Health Initiative and the start up of Naari Store in Chaukori. With Paxworks encouragement the women and girls in the community have enhanced their skills and begun learning grant-writing.
Merrill Family Charitable Foundation (MFCF) has supported a number of Naari’s startup initiatives including creating a wool fund to assure that artisans have the resources they need to work consistently. Their generosity allows us to take the risks of new ventures to strengthen the Naari community.
SoLight Design, an innovative and environmentally conscious lighting compnay has supported our “No more Knitting in the Dark” campaign, enabling us to provide solar lanterns to all our knitters and weavers.
India Development Service provided support for our local leaders and business training initiatives.
The Dollar a Day Fund for Indigenous Environmental Justice’s mission is to increase giving from non-Indigenous grassroots donors to Indigenous organizations working for environmental justice in their communities.
Our friends help Naari in countless ways such as: selling products at craft fairs, working on inventory, holding “Chat and Chai” parties, photographing products and supporting Naari efforts.
Naari friends in the US include: Alice Pell, Beate Becker, Betsy Di Prima, Carla and Dan Powdermaker, Doug Walker, Eleanor Briggs, Jack Davis, Jean Rosenthal, Jeff Williams, Joan Plastino, Jane White, Kitty Cloud, Lee Garland, Lelia Olson, Lida Stinchfield , M’lue Zahner, Monica Lehner, Patricia Forts, Patrick and Ruth Powdermaker, Paul Armbrust, Paul Merrill, Ritu Budatoki, Susan Barker, Susan Hansel, Terry Reeves, Tricia Bendik, David Goldstein, Ann Halvorsen, Loretta and Peter Menkes, Kathleen and David Koepele, Dinah Simonini, Cathy Arnst and Jay Hardikar.
We are especially grateful to our Indian friends and supporters Anish Mangal, Girish Chimyal, Manvee Vaid, Pradeep Nagarkoti, Prakash Karki, Raj Kumar, Tarun Mahara and Thakur Ajay Sisodiya.
Our sincere thanks to Deepti Asthana (datravelography.com), Diba Siddiqi and Mamta Takuli for permitting us to use their photographs.