Have you heard of Women for Women International?
Aline and Deena, the founders of I Am Kooky, met on a school playground. They instantly connected due to their Asian roots and western upbringings, sharing similar anecdotes of their experiences of the fusion of cultures, ideas and traditions.
They came up with the business idea to sell freeze-dried and gently-dried fruits to integrate different fruits from around the world into other countries.
Their views of women’s rights supported their fierce unity. In this blog, we explore their affiliation with Women for Women International and how Aline is running a marathon for charity to help support them:
What Inspired the Kooky Team to Support Women for Women International?
“At the lunch, the then-Executive Director and Vice President for Women International shared her stories about the women she had met on previous trips to Afghanistan and other war-torn countries.
“I was profoundly touched and moved with empathy as I heard about the plight of many women who struggled to cope with post-war fallout.
“I left lunch that day with a strong conviction to support this charity and to contribute to its cause, helping underprivileged women in post-conflict countries rebuild their lives.”
Aline then met Deena and, through their collective experiences, formed a partnership that would create the basis of their business and become the backdrop of their support for the charity.
Aline said, “Deena and I then founded Kooky, a brand of dried exotic fruit that has been sustainably and ethically sourced from the best farms in Thailand and curated for their eclectic tastes and unique antioxidant profiles.
“It was only natural then that we took our support for Women for Women International to the next level by becoming a corporate sponsor.”
Running a Marathon for Charity
Aline said, “Shortly after I Am Kooky was launched, Women for Women International approached me to ask if I’d be interested in joining the #Sheinspiresme Squad to participate in the Royal Parks Half Marathon. A half marathon is 13.1 miles - or 21.1km - a daunting feat!
We’re sure that Aline’s hard work in preparation for running a marathon for charity will pay off, and she’ll do the business and the charity proud. If you’d like to follow her progress or sponsor her marathon (with the proceeds going to the Women for Women International cause), you can do so here.
Alternatively, visit Women for Women International to learn more about the charity and its incredible endeavours to help women in war-torn countries.
You can also read our previous blog to learn about our passion for diversity and empowerment.