About

My name is Mahnoor Raja and I created MARA ink. the T-shirt Brand at the age of 16 in 2013. It started off as a school project and ended up becoming a real project, practiced in real life. Knowing that I am using my art for good is my motivation.

 

Back in 10th grade we had to choose six subjects we wished to study for the next two years as part of the IB program, and one of the subjects I chose was ART. We received art homework over the summer, and as most teenagers I left my homework for the  last two weeks of summer. The project was about finding themes you would like to explore and interpreting your thoughts into art. I called my grandmother in despair, hoping for some inspiration. She started speaking of Kenya, and spoke so warmly about her faint memories of the elephants. And that is how the first MARA ink. Original Elephant was created.

As I sat in the living room pleased with my work, I told my mother, “How funny would it be to see people walking around with this print on their T-shirts?”.

I used to have a blog I liked updating back then and so I had photo-shopped the file, removing the white background, and refining the print. Surprisingly enough, my mother took my file and she sent it to a local printing company. Guess who wore it to school the next day? The response was overwhelming from my classmates, friends and family.

It started off with one elephant. And now there are 15. As I have multiplied the designs, I wish to multiply the business. I wish to multiply the amount of people I can help. I wish to multiply the love I can spread.

I know I can’t end poverty in one day. I know I can’t end the slaughtering of animals in one day. But each and everyone’s effort counts. You can change someone’s life. You can do it. Yes, it does take time, but what doesn’t take time? Take 5 minutes out of your day and do something good. It’s simple. It is not as complicated as it sounds.

I come from the capital of materialism. I can get what ever I want. Those I wish to help, they are not from the capital of materialism. They can’t get what ever they want.

Be part of the change. Be part of something small. Be part of something big. Just be a part and I can assure you, you will want to do more.

 

Order a MARA ink T-shirt and support the charity of the month! Use the Hashtag: #MARAink on instagram, twitter or even facebook! Be part of the movement.

 

If you have any recommendations of future “Charity of the Months” send an email to [email protected].