Show notes
Abarna Raj is the Co-Founder & CEO of Australian-based Palmera (@palmeraprojects). The organization is named after a tree which grows in Sri Lanka and is fundamental to the existence of the communities it's located in because every part of it is used from the bark, the timber, the leaves and the fruit. Palmera is a social startup looking to help change the way that the world tackles poverty by ensuring that the poor having a living income (with a focus on Sri Lanka).She joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss being in Sri Lanka during the 2004 tsunami, why she left being a full-time lawyer to found a non-profit and how her ideology of work subsequently changed, the impact & thinking behind Palmera’s HANDMADE cookbook, how to address the resource challenge for non-profits and much more.Follow Abarna:- Instagram (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abarna-raj-34976761/) Timestamps00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Abarna Raj01:48 - How her childhood led her to starting a non-profit04:44 - Being in Sri Lanka during the 2004 tsunami07:15 - How the 2004 tsunami impacted her decision to found Palmera08:38 - Raising tens of thousands of dollars for Palmera10:23 - Balancing her job as a lawyer and the early development of Palmera12:16 - Leaving a job with strong income to work full-time for a non-profit14:05 - The HANDMADE cookbook16:24 - Is there a non-profit that Abarna wants Palmera’s structure to emulate?20:12 - Is there a declining participation of developmental efforts?26:11 - The long-term effects of the war 28:38 - How Abarna remains hopeful30:11 - The lack of talent in the non-profit space when compared to tech, finance, etc.33:25 - Incentivizing volunteers; Benevity and more38:33 - Resources and sustainability being key challenges for non-profit organizations42:04 - Tax receipts and Palmera’s Australian accreditation44:35 - How long will Abarna stay in the non-profit space?46:43 - Was she questioned by friends/family for her decision to enter the non-profit space?48:34 - The programming side of Palmera52:13 - Advice she would give her 16-year-old self; the personal legacy she wants to have54:05 - Creator Confessions59:24 - The Wrap UpIntro MusicProduced And Mixed By:- The Tamil Creator- YanchanWritten By:- Aravinthan Ehamparam- Yanchan Rajmohan Support the Show.