AJALA, hosts “Art for Change” at TheJamJar Gallery on 20th of September
Dubai: AJALA hosts “Art for Change” at the The JamJar Gallery in Al Serkal Avenue, Al Quoz on 20th of September from 7:00pm till 10:00pm.
“AJALA” is synonymous with nomad, explorer and a global thinker. The AJALA Project is a movement that was founded in May 2016 by 22 year old Hassan Adebayo Bello from Nigeria, a software programmer, writer and adventurer along with Narmeen Naser from Bangladesh, a Global Health and Project Management and Giovanni Morra from Italy, an Engineering Manager, all based in Dubai, UAE. The movement is inspired by the story of Olabisi Ajala, a Nigerian explorer who traveled to over 87 countries to spread a positive message of Africa and change negative stereotypes of minorities, marginal communities and developing countries.
“Art for Change”, will provide changemakers and nomads the opportunity to share their stories and raise awareness of their initiatives. Art for Change will also showcase artwork inspired by the stories of the changemakers and nomads featured by The AJALA Project and increase community engagement and grassroot support.
The Changemakers of The AJALA Project include, Lina Zoghaib: Founder, yogitruck.com. Teaches yoga in Dubai to raise awareness and provide support to build classrooms in orphanages around Kenya. Hadia Aslam – She started the first medical aid response centre in Lesvos, Greece for refugees living in squalid conditions, without adequate access to health care and basic necessities. Kuntal Joisher: The first vegan to summit Mount Everest. He climbs mountains to raise awareness for LBD and veganism. Kuntal’s father suffers with LBD for over 10 years now. Sergi Rodriguez Basoli: Kayaking around the Mediterranean for over three year with a rescue dog Nirvana. His mission is promote healthier seas and marine life- Rumbo Mediterrá.neo and Divya Rawat – Started the first mushroom cultivation farm in India to increase employment in her village and reduce city migration.
Hassan Adebayo Bello – Founder of The AJALA Project explains, “We want to inspire and empower people, with real life stories of nomads from our around the world who we consider our changemakers; our nomads are from eleven different countries, only four of them are based in the UAE and the rest are global, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Pakistan , US and we continue to expand our search for more stories to share. With Art for Change, we expect to connect these stories to Artists and create a support system for these projects.”
Giovanni Morra- Co – founder of The AJALA Project explains how the team of AJALA came into formation, Narmeen, Hassan and I came together through our collective passion for art, community engagement and social impact – AJALA has a higher purpose and as social entrepreneurs we believe that Dubai is the best place to have our base, the city is pulsating with creative energy and a drive for change.”
Narmeen Naser – Co- founder of The AJALA Project says, “Our goal is to encourage active collaboration between local artists, writers, changemakers, and patrons. We wanted to use Art, since it creates a lasting impression and gives a different perspective to their stories. It is used to commemorate and immortalize changemakers and nomads. Through the use of art, changemakers and nomads are able to reach, connect and engage with a greater community of supporters and patrons.”
“Art for Change” is a free to enter event and open to public; the aim of the event is to increase community involvement and raise awareness on The AJALA Project and bring on local artists, writers, changemakers and Art patrons under one roof.
At the event, visitors will hear from a panel of local changemakers and inspiring nomads, along with event co-host, Travel +SocialGood (an initiative launched in partnership with the United Nations to promote sustainable travel. T+SG Dubai is committed to social impact through a series of events with the local community).
EVENT AGENDA:
Date: Tuesday 20th Sept, 2016
Venue: The JamJar, Al Serkal Avenue
Scale: 200 – 250 Guests
Time: 7pm to 10pm
(Doors open by 6.30PM)
Agenda: The AJALA Project Introduction
Travel +SocialGood Introduction by Varun Kapur
Changemakers Panel
Moderated by Tena Pick, The Sustainability Platform
Lina Zoghaib- Founder, YogiTruck (Yogi for a cause)
Jihad Mnasria – Founder, USmileISmile
Ahmad Eldessouki – Founder, Dubai Daily Fitness
Sketching Workshop by Urban Sketchers Dubai
Entertainment
Artworks Showcase
Live Painting by Victor Sitali
Music performances by Celestial Apex Band
Drinks and Canapes
The AJALA Project: Aims to build a collaborative platform for social impact in marginal communities.
Showcasing and empowering changemakers, nomads, writers and artists.
Using artwork to commemorate changemakers and nomads.
Creating inspiring and relatable role models.
Changing stereotypical narratives and negative bias.
Advocating for positive change, sustainability and diversity.
Drive people to take initiative to create social impact.
