Episode Details

The inimitable Dash Meizler joins the podcast this week from Kampala, Uganda, for a truly inspiring conversation about leveraging our activism to better advocate for animal rights and marginalized communities. Founder of the Podrska Foundation, Dash outlines how the organization is fighting for farmed animals while empowering women, providing schools with vegan meals, fighting poverty through home-based vegetable gardens, and more. The Ugandan activist also tells us about his upbringing on a poultry farm and shares the moment his life trajectory changed forever, ultimately leading him down the path of animal activism, veganism, and humanitarianism.

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Dash Meizler.*

Fahd Kharim Ssevume, commonly known as Dash Meizler, is an accomplished humanitarian and founder of the Podrska Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a world of equity, compassion, and justice by supporting vulnerable people and improving their day-to-day lives. Dash’s projects address immediate needs and have the long-term goal of enabling participants to become economically and educationally independent enough to live in harmony with others – not only with other human beings but also with non-human animals. Dash has a longstanding vision of multispecies justice, which is informed by his deep commitment to human and animal rights. In addition to his humanitarianism, Dash is also known for his effective and efficient animal activism throughout Uganda. His love for non-human animals inspired him to incorporate friendly, inspiring methodologies to spread veganism all over his country. He’s currently using his untiring commitment, drive, and leadership skills to bring more dignity and autonomy to both human and non-human beings in Africa — and looks forward to bringing these same values to regions all over the world.

“Let’s lift people out of poverty, let’s uplift animal lives, let’s uplift education for kids, and let’s uplift animal rights at the same time.” – Dash Meizler

Highlights for Episode 645:

• The Podrska Foundation’s food distribution programs, including the Vegan School Campaign and the Vegan Food Program
• How the Lady Program empowers women in precarious financial situations to make and sell cruelty-free products
• Why Dash believes that helping people can also help animals
• How the Vegan School Campaign works to care for children in poverty and educate schools about plant-based eating
• How the foundation promotes a vegan diet by appealing to people’s interest in staying healthy
• Why providing hot meals to those in need helps instill a sense of care for themselves and for others, including animals

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