Sophomore Maanya Shettigar co-founded the Henna for Humanity branch in Hopkinton this past January.

Henna for Humanity is a growing non-profit with branches in Lexington and Bedford.

The organization donates 100% of its earnings to the American Association for the Social Advancement of India.

“It’s an organization that helps women and children in poverty in India,” co-founder Maanya Shettigar said.

Shettigar learned about Henna for Humanity from co-founder, Junior Aditi Khiste, earlier this year.

Since January, Shettigar and Khiste have already done henna on over 50 hands and made over $250 for the Hopkinton branch.

Other branches have raised over $10,000.

Shettigar has done henna at the Indian Arts Gala, Holi Mala, and Bengali New Year, as well as other community events.

Shettigar started making henna this year because she was inspired by her friends. Now, she feels able to charge people for her intricate designs.

“Sometimes we do both hands, so everything’s for free, and people can choose to donate,” Shettigar said.

“But for events that we collaborate with other organizations, we charge $5 for a flower on each hand and $10 for a diagonal and $15 for both hands.”

Henna is no easy skill to master, and sometimes it’s difficult to find events to showcase the organization’s work.

“We try to find events, but even if we don’t find events, I still try to practice henna, at least once or twice a week,” Shettigar said.

Creating henna and raising money has become a large part of Shettigar’s life, and she believes it will remain important to her for many years to come.

“It makes me feel great because I’m doing something that I like while helping people in need,” Shettigar said.

“We hope to continue it even after we go to college, because henna is something that we genuinely like to do.”

Shettigar has big goals for Henna for Humanity and what she believes the organization can accomplish in the future.

“We hope to raise more money and help more families, women, and children in need.”