Behind The Grind was dreamt up by two Wollongong locals Sarika Gupta and Blaise Gassin. There was a message to convey, and a whole community to explore.
Blaise is an engineer who spends his time travelling interstate for work, but still calls Wollongong home. Sarika is a Doctor who is currently stretched between Newcastle and Wollongong. After spending so much time away from their roots they understand the importance of a strong, cohesive community that is often synonymous with healthy and supportive networks. With increasing amounts of domestic violence and social isolation, there is a need to bring people together to create an awareness and a foundation for taking action.
Sarika and Blaise sourced funding from family and friends to develop this website and create the cups. They do not want to understate the unanimous and unwavering support from these very people. Not only have they donated money, but these same people have been a sounding board for ideas and feedback each step of the way. Without all of your contributions this project would not have been possible. So thank you!
Further, what you see are artworks by Sarika herself. We hope that the project encourages, empowers and educates victims and the wider community, one coffee at a time. If there is one thing that you take from these cups, they ask that it is this –
Nobody is alone in their suffering. Life is hard, but together we can make it work!
