Get involved!
Here you can read about our various local grass-roots campaigns to realize Podrska’s vision of self-empowerment and compassion for human and non-human animals.
All our Local Campaigns.
Child Program
At the Podrska Foundation, we’re deeply committed to helping children in need through our child welfare program. Our Child Program is designed to provide essential resources and support to vulnerable children, especially those who are orphans or living in poverty. We believe that every child deserves a safe, healthy, and happy childhood, and we’re dedicated to doing everything we can to make that a reality.
Our team works directly with children in need, providing them with food, education, healthcare, and emotional support. The program raises awareness of children’s rights such as gender equality and equal opportunities. In particular, we ensure that girls not only go to school but also stay in school and acquire an education through our stay-in-school campaign. We know that these children face many challenges in their daily lives, and our volunteers are always there to lend a helping hand.
Through our child welfare program, we’re working to create a more just and equitable society for all. We believe that by supporting vulnerable children, we’re not only helping them, but also strengthening the communities in which they live. We’re proud to be part of a global movement for social justice and sustainability, and we invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether you’re a donor, volunteer, or supporter, your involvement can make a real and lasting impact on the lives of children in need.
Compassionate Feeding Program
At the Podrska Foundation, we are driven by a simple yet profound belief: that a hot meal can be more than sustenance: it can be a lifeline, a source of comfort, and a beacon of hope. Our Compassionate Feeding Program embodies this belief by reaching out to the most vulnerable communities and offering them hot, nourishing plant-based meals.
We’ve chosen to provide plant-based meals as a symbol of compassion not just for people, but for animals and the planet too. A plant-based lifestyle represents a sustainable, ethical, and healthy way of living that aligns with our core values.
Over the years, our program has touched the lives of countless individuals and families.
We couldn’t achieve any of this without the support of people like you. Your financial contribution directly helps us provide meals to those in need.
Education/ Sponsorship Program:
At the Podrska Foundation, we believe that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their background. Our Education / Sponsorship program provides early education for children and women who may not have had the opportunity to attend school otherwise. We know that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a better future for all.
For just $50 per month, you can sponsor a child’s education. This sponsorship covers the cost of a health checkup, daily plant-based breakfast and lunch, school fees, and occasional school-related materials such as textbooks, bags, and uniforms. By sponsoring a child’s education, you can help ensure their long-term welfare and enable them to reach their full potential.
Our team of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for every child. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and we strive to make it a reality for the children in our program. We provide educational materials, books, and learning aids to help children learn and grow, and we offer counseling services for teenagers and empower women through education. With your help, we can continue to provide access to quality education for children and women in Uganda, and create a brighter future for all.
Plant-Based School Campaign
Our Plant-Based School Campaign aims to provide educational programs that teach students about plant-based diets, animal rights, and environmental sustainability. By introducing these concepts in schools, colleges, and universities across Uganda, we’re creating a culture of compassion and sustainability that will impact the lives of students and their families for generations to come.
In addition to classroom education, we also aim to create animal rights clubs within the communities where our schools are located. These clubs will serve as a space where students, teachers, and community members can gather to learn more about plant-based living, share recipes, and discuss the importance of animal rights. By promoting a plant-based lifestyle beyond the classroom, we hope to create a culture of compassion and sustainability that extends far beyond the walls of the school.
However, lack of funds has limited our ability to expand this program and establish more animal rights clubs in surrounding communities. We are currently seeking donations and sponsorships to help us reach more schools and establish more clubs. With your support, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring more people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle and care for the welfare of animals.
School Feeding Program
Our School Feeding Program is all about providing much-needed nutrition to children in Uganda, who might otherwise go hungry throughout the school day. Our team of dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that children in the program receive a daily mid-day meal lunch, consisting of plant-based foods that are both healthy and delicious.
For many of the children we serve, these meals are the only consistent source of nutrition they receive, and the program has a significant impact on their ability to learn and thrive in the classroom. We believe that every child deserves access to nutritious food and the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.
Through our school feeding program, we not only provide meals, but also education on the importance of healthy eating and how to prepare nutritious meals using local ingredients. Our team is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of these children and their communities, and we are grateful for the opportunity to do so.
Plant-Based Advocacy Campaign
Our Plant-Based Advocacy Campaign is a core part of our mission to promote animal rights and create a kinder, more compassionate world. Through this program, we strive to raise awareness of the benefits of a plant-based diet and the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, human health, and animal welfare.
Effective movements for empowerment and justice have almost always involved various forms of direct action such as in-person interactions, informal presentations, and demonstrations. As ambassadors for both human and non-human animals, we believe in sharing our vision of justice with local, national and international communities through activism and education. This information is shared with local individuals and groups through street activism, workshops and community dialogues.
Supporting our Plant-Based Advocacy Campaign can make a significant difference in the lives of animals and humans, and contribute to a healthier planet for all. By spreading the message of compassion, we inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves, animals, and the environment. Join us in creating a brighter future for all beings by supporting our mission.
Stay in School Campaign
At the Podrska Foundation, we strongly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to receive an education in a safe and secure environment. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as many children in impoverished communities face challenges that make it difficult for them to stay in school, i.e., children being exploited for labor, becoming young single mothers or even becoming involved in drug taking or drug dealing. We have made it our aim to help make schools safer for these children so that they can continue to learn and grow.
Through our Stay in School Campaign, we work closely with local schools and communities to identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance the safety and well-being of students. We provide training and resources to teachers and school staff, including trauma-informed care and conflict resolution skills, to help them better support the emotional and social needs of their students.
Project Grow
Environmental Initiative to Empower At-Risk Ugandans
Project Grow is a program that empowers individuals to make a positive impact on the environment and their own well-being. Through this program, we provide valuable knowledge and resources to participants, giving them the tools to make informed choices about adopting a sustainable cruelty-free lifestyle.
By teaching individuals how to recycle their organic waste into compost, they can reduce their carbon footprint and create a natural fertilizer for growing healthy, nutritious food at home. This not only benefits the environment but also provides an opportunity for individuals to improve their own health by incorporating more plant-based foods into their diets.
In addition, Project Grow has the potential to create a source of income for participants through the sale of surplus crops. This is a great opportunity for those who are looking to supplement their income while contributing to a more sustainable future.
At the heart of Project Grow is the belief that everyone deserves access to healthy, sustainable food, and that by working together, we can create a more just and equitable food system for all. Join us in this important work and help us build a brighter, more sustainable future for our communities.
The Lady Project
Our Lady Project focuses on empowering single mothers and women in underserved communities. While working with single mothers, Dash Meizler, the founder of Podrska became acutely aware of the poor status of women in Uganda. Firstly, without financial independence they have to rely on their husbands or fathers to provide for them and their children and, as a result, are viewed and treated as property or objects. Secondly, those who become single parents often become destitute having no means to provide for themselves and their family. Conversely, he observed that women with an income were independent and generally thriving so he subsequently decided to launch a program to economically empower at-risk women in Uganda to enable them to become equal participants in their communities. We believe that by supporting women, we can create positive change that extends far beyond their individual lives and families.
In 2018, ten women were successfully enrolled in the program and trained in craft work that was sold on their behalf. In order to build on this work and extend it to other women, the Lady Program is seeking funding to provide materials as well as training in tailoring, handicrafts and simple money management skills. The women who enroll will learn to make products like bags, ear rings, and wristbands from African fabrics which are cruelty-free and will be supported to find a market for them.
The project also focuses on women with HIV/AIDS as the Kampala suburbs are among the areas most devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and HIV+ women have often been neglected by larger multinational organizations outreach programs.
Through this program, we provide a range of resources to help women achieve financial independence, improve their health and well-being, and build a strong support system. Our goal is to empower women to take control of their lives and become agents of change in their communities.
By teaching individuals how to recycle their organic waste into compost, they can reduce their carbon footprint and create a natural fertilizer for growing healthy, nutritious food at home. This not only benefits the environment but also provides an opportunity for individuals to improve their own health by incorporating more plant-based foods into their diets.
In addition, Project Grow has the potential to create a source of income for participants through the sale of surplus crops. This is a great opportunity for those who are looking to supplement their income while contributing to a more sustainable future.
At the heart of Project Grow is the belief that everyone deserves access to healthy, sustainable food, and that by working together, we can create a more just and equitable food system for all. Join us in this important work and help us build a brighter, more sustainable future for our communities.
Our Team
Our team is made up of a group of dedicated individuals who share a common goal of promoting compassion and improving the lives of both human and non-human animals. We come from diverse backgrounds and possess a wide range of skills, but we all share a passion for creating positive change in our communities.
Working together, we strive to make a meaningful impact through our various programs and initiatives. We believe that by working together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could alone. Our team values collaboration, communication, and empathy, and we strive to reflect these values in all that we do.
We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who wish to join us in our mission. We believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and we welcome people from all walks of life to join us in making the world more compassionate. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all beings.
Veggie Kids
Childhood obesity is a pressing concern in Uganda, and with our “Veggie Kids” concept, we
believe in early intervention and education to foster healthier lifestyles. Our program
focuses on raising awareness about the impact of childhood obesity and advocates for
a plant-based diet as a powerful tool for overcoming this challenge. By engaging with
families, schools, and communities, the Podrska Foundation through Veggie Kids strives to
instill the importance of nutritious choices, empowering children to embrace a healthier,
plant-powered lifestyle.
Green Space
Our Green Spaces program is a testament to our commitment to environmental
sustainability. We identify areas within our communities that can benefit from the beauty
and benefits of greenery. Through collaborative efforts, we plant trees to enhance the
environment, promote biodiversity, and create spaces where communities can thrive
At Podrska Foundation, we believe in the power of community-driven change. Join us in
these impactful programs and be a part of the movement towards a healthier, greener,
and more sustainable future for all.
Donations
Regular Donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=WHWRKLN5AJRHU
Patreon account https://www.patreon.com/podrskafoundation
Donations to specific projects can be made to our Donorbox campaign pages:
Vegan Food Program: https://donorbox.org/vegan-food-program
The Child Program: https://donorbox.org/the-child-program
The Lady Program: https://donorbox.org/the-lady-program
If you are unable to support us financially we appreciate you taking the time to share this project on social media or directly with friends, family and colleagues.
General Infos:
Science-based sites that inform the statements made above
https://www.preventionofdisease.org/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-right-plant-based-diet-for-you
https://nutritionstudies.org/whole-food-plant-based-diet-guide/
https://www.forksoverknives.com/wellness/vegan-toddler-healthy/#gs.41iz9q
https://www.nutritiousvida.com/blog/dietitian-raising-vegan-children