Kasturi ray

Team

About Me

Hi, I am Kasturi, a book lover and an enthusiast for social impact.
When I used to meet some kids who used to sell trivial stuffs in Park Street, Kolkata near multiple eateries I couldn't look away from them. That led me to look for the root cause of the vicious cycle of poverty and the lack of opportunities. In my quest I met Shalini Datta during my TFI fellowship and shifted to Mumbai to learn and grow with Aftertaste.
I have been associated with Aftertaste Foundation for the past two years now. My passion had always been to work towards women’s empowerment by creating opportunities for them to gain skills, earn a livelihood, and build an identity of their own.

“Give someone a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.”
This saying perfectly reflects our work at Aftertaste Foundation. We don’t just provide temporary aid—we equip women with skills, confidence, and opportunities to earn a dignified livelihood. By empowering them to stand on their own feet, we are not only transforming individual lives but also creating ripples of change for families and communities.

One of our oldest artisans Ayesha, she never had the chance to step into a classroom herself, yet today she beams with pride as her daughter becomes a pharmacist and her son prepares to graduate in software engineering, after years of breaking barriers.

We request you to help us raise funds to strengthen our initiatives and ensure sustainable impact.

Appeal

At Aftertaste Foundation, we believe in the power of art to transform lives.
For the past 12 years, we have worked with women from the at-risk community in Malwani, Malad West, Mumbai—creating pathways to financial independence and dignified livelihoods. Through training and upskilling, these women have mastered the craft of hand-painted, hand-stitched, and hand-crafted products across stationery, home décor, utility, and gifting.

Today, our journey of empowerment is ready for its next chapter. We aim to:
1. Develop entrepreneurial skills among our artisans, enabling them to leverage their artistry for growth and independence;
2. Invest in the physical and mental well-being of our women;
3. Provide advanced training in digital literacy, presentation, and entrepreneurship;
4. Support the next generation—helping the youth of our women gain confidence in interviews and career opportunities.

To make this vision a reality, we are initiating a Center of Excellence—a space for continuous learning, growth, and empowerment. With your support, we can unlock brighter futures, not just for women artisans, but for entire families and communities. Every training, every product, every milestone is another step towards empowerment that lasts a lifetime.

These women and families have taken the first step to escape the cycle of intergenerational poverty, help them stay on that path! Towards breaking barriers, building futures.

Join us in shaping this transformation—because every contribution creates ripples of change.

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