Ep5 On Grassroots Fundraising: community-led care and material support

In this episode, I sit down with Ash and Nassim to talk about the steady, deliberate work of grassroots fundraising — the kind that grows out of relationships, trust, and the conscious decision to stay engaged even when it’s difficult.

Their Berlin‑based initiative* sells artisanal goods at markets around the city, using every Euro to support families they’re directly connected to in Gaza and, when needed, beyond. What they’ve built is not a simple project, rather, it’s a mutual aid structure shaped by care.

We talk about how their work began, how they organize together in practice, and the moments where they’ve seen the most impact. We also explore what it means to build community care in a political climate that often feels hostile to Palestinian visibility and how they navigate that tension with clarity and intention.

What moved me most is that Ash and Nassim don’t do this professionally, they volunteer their time and energy. Their resolve is rooted in humanity and the courage to stay present.

They share what it’s like to be in ongoing contact with families living through genocide in Gaza: the discomfort of not always knowing the right words, the inevitability of making mistakes, and the commitment to center the people whose needs are most urgent. Their honesty stayed with me long after the conversation ended.

This episode is about fundraising, yes — but it’s also about responsibility, connection, and the ongoing work of caring across borders while tending to one’s own capacity. It’s a conversation about what it means to show up consistently, when the stakes are real and the relationships are lifelines.

*We intentionally left the name of the initiative out for privacy reasons.

Many thanks to TorGado for composing the music just for this podcast. Art from my sketchbook. 

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