GlobalGiving.org: Empower girls like Priti in slums in Pune, India

Stitching a new life

Jilna Shah — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:10:49 GMT

Rajiya, 18 years old

I was really happy to learn sewing at the project. The course really has changed a lot in my life. Before joining the class, I didn’t have confidence in my stitching skills. By joining the class, not only did I get skills, but I got confidence too.

Before joining the course I was very shy and found it hard to mix with other women and girls. But now, I like to share my thoughts.

I can actually earn money – the course helped me to get a job at a dress designer’s shop, so I now have financial independence.

I’m very grateful to the project.

Reflections from Amrapali

Jilna Shah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:08:03 GMT

Amrapali

Hi! I am Amrpali staying at Bhim Ngar and regularly coming for women`s empowerment project`s life skill class. I get knowledge and information from this project that even I am not from my mother and from my school.

We learn lots more things from this project, such as how to behave and how to take care of our body. We also learn about cleanliness, crafts and computers - I am very happy that now I can handle computers. Sunita Tai taught me how to use a watch and calendar. She also gave us information regarding first aid, and even how to save someone if they are drowning. We also had sex education workshops through which I came to know many more things regarding our bodies. I also learnt meditation and pranayama (breathing yoga), and now I am doing it daily to increase my concentration power. I am grateful to the whole women’s team.

Making girls a priority

Jilna Shah — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:05:51 GMT

The Department for International Development (DFID) in UK has just announced its Aid to India strategy. It stresses the importance of empowering girls and women in alleviating poverty in India;

"Our theory of change is that bringing assets, opportunities and basic services directly to women and girls can break the cycle of poverty passed between generations"

For the full report, see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/oct/21/uk-unveils-aid-strategy-india/print

With your continued support, this project is in fact providing these precious and so badly needed opportunities to oppressed girls in the slum areas of Vishrantwadi.

Opening up

Jilna Shah — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:19:44 GMT

It’s not only the girls who participate in the project that benefit from it – the change in the confidence, self-esteem and capabilities they experience has a wider impact on their families and those around them. A mother of one of the project girls speaks about her experience -

* Savita Manic Sonawne

I am Savita and my daughter name is Vidya .before she was not talking frankly to anybody. Now she is doing her work in time. I observe her - she is speaking confidently I am very happy about her. Thanks to women`s empowerment project.

Courageous with Computers

Jilna Shah — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:04:54 GMT

Rubina at her computer class

Rubina Chand Patel, Aged 17

"Before joining the computer class in Vishrantwadi, I didn't know anything about computers. They were very new to me and I felt that I'd never be able to learn. There was a real fear in my mind, but after starting to learn that fear ceased.

I feel that I'm learning a new skill that is very important and helpful for my future life.

I wish to learn more in the advance course".

Powerful (Unseen) Women

Jilna Shah — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:00:54 GMT

Karunaprabha

We're delighted to announce that Karunaprabha, leader of this project, has been successfully nominated for One World Action's 100 Powerful (Unseen) Women award.

The women come from over 40 countries and have all contributed to positive social change on either a grassroots or global level. To learn more about this initiative, please follow this link:

http://oneworldaction.wordpress.com/100-unseen-powerful-women/

A huge congratulations to Karunaprabha for her momentous contribution to alleviating suffering in the slums of Vishrantwadi.

Karunaprabha

'I am very happy now'

Jilna Shah — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:33:15 GMT

Shilpa's Story - aged 20 years

Once there was a survey in my community. Through that survey I have came to know about this class. I have decided to join the class and to learn the sewing skills. I left the school in 6^th STD and after that did not join any course. But now I have completed the course successfully. The course has build confidence in me. I learn different types of blouse and Panjabi suits. I have started taking orders from outside and earn money from it. My brother gave me money to buy a secondhand machine. I am very happy now. After my marriage also I will keep on stitching the blouse and dresses.

I am very thankful to your project and giving me the skills and confidence to be independent.

Empowering adolescent girls

Jilna Shah — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:02:58 GMT

Karunaprabha

A reminder of what this project is trying to do. More details can be found on Karuna's website:

http://www.karuna.org/editorial.asp?page_id=229&keywords=vishrantwadi

The average time a women in South Asia will attend school is 1.8 years.

Recent research in India suggests that two thirds of women who lives in slums have anaemia and vitamin A deficiency due to poor nutrition.

India has the highest malnutrition rate in the world- it affects a quarter of the population.

The Vishrantwadi project is a health education project; it is working to reverse the current trends and improve the lack of adequate health and education provision for women. The Vishrantwadi Project was setup and is run and managed by women for the advancement of women, it was the first project setup by the Women’s Social and Dhamma project. The aim of the project is to improve the lives of women by addressing some of the most common problems such as- reducing malnutrition, promoting self-confidence, eradicating incidents of domestic violence and increasing the autonomy of women.

The project works in 10 slums in the Pune area; it has set up a women’s committee in each slum. The slum committees work together with the Vishrantwadi project to improve awareness and access to healthcare. In recent years, the committees have run a number of health camps and nutrition awareness sessions which offer practical solutions to local health issues such as sanitation, clean water, pollution and sexual health. The results have been very encouraging; women are now taking a greater responsibility for health issues within their families. By becoming more health and hygiene conscious communities are able to reduce the prevalence of disease and vermin.

The other major undertaking of the Vishrantwadi project is a one year education course that is offered to girls in the slums. There are many financial and social reasons which explain why women in India are prevented from finishing school- the Vishrantwadi education project is offering girls a second chance. The project takes a practical approach to education- one of the major focus of the project is the health awareness programme, there is an acceptance that most of the girls will have families at a young age; girls are therefore given practical lessons on caring for a family in the slums. This includes basic hygiene, nutrition, first aid, sexual health lessons as well as pre and post-natal advice.

The education programme has a varied syllabus; it addresses and prepares girls with skills that they are likely to use in life such as- household budgeting, negotiation, self-esteem and legal rights specifically regarding domestic violence and caste prejudice. Finally, the programme works with local training centres and employers to give girls vocational training and work experience. Women benefit from lessons in sewing, computer training (in association with the Karuna Computer Education Centre), entrepreneurship and accountancy.

Bright Futures

Jilna Shah — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:55:26 GMT

Shilpa Pawale shares her feelings about how the project has impacted on her life;

“I am Shilpa, living with one family for domestic work. I don’t have father and my mother is staying far away from me for her job purpose she is also doing daily wages work. Where I stay with family there I do all household activity such as washing clothes, cleaning house cooking, everything I do. Somebody told me about this class and I came to learn stitching clothes. Before I could not even talk in group and use to feel shy to interact with people. I have very low confidence within me but now I feel have very bright future. I got confidence that now I can earn by stitching cloth by my own business, no need of doing domestic work.”

A rough deal for girls

Jilna Shah — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:07:07 GMT

Recent research by UNICEF verifies how girls in India face a rough deal when compared to boys. Here are some key findings from a recent uncef report -

"Almost 47 percent of the girls in the age group of 11 to 19 years are underweight in India, which is the highest in the world," says the report which considered three criteria -health, nutrition and education - to comment on the state of adolescents globally.

“This is of concern as anemic girls being undernourished are the first to drop out of school and are married off early,” - Karin Hulsof of Unicef India.

“The adolescent birth rate also stands at 45 - the number of births per thousand women between the ages of 15 and 19 years,” according to the report titled ‘State of the World's Children 2011’.

“About 57 per cent of the poorest children in India are underweight compared to 20 per cent of the richest.”

Adolescence in India

Jilna Shah — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:52:34 GMT

I came across some insightful information on a UNICEF blog about adolescents in India. Here are some interesting facts from that blog:

* India has the highest adolescent population in the world

* It is still the case that boys enjoy a higher quality of adolescence than girls

* The biggest health problem for Indian female adolescents is Anemia - about 50% of girls aged between 15-19 in India are anemic.

* The risk of HIV is significantly higher amongst adolescent females than adolescent males

Karin Hulshof, UNICEF India Representative concluded that -

The available data shows that maximum adolescence today, do not get to enjoy or have access to quality education, basic sexual reproductive health care, support for mental health issue and disability and protection from violence, abuse and exploitation and a forum for their participation.

Links:

The full UNICEF blog

Big Challenges

Jilna Shah — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:14:01 GMT

Karunaprabha, leader of the project in Pune tells us about the biggest challenges that she and her team have faced when working to empower the girls -

Question:

What have been the biggest challenges for you in your work?

Answer:

In the age group that we work with, girls rarely go out of the house- they aren't allowed. So it is often quite a task to try and convince parents to let them come to our activities. Another problem, even when they are allowed, is that many of the girls in the slums are addicted to watching tv serials so they often decide not to attend the sessions. This habit can catch on to other girls, as just like most adolescents this age, they are very susceptible to peer pressure.

Big changes

Jilna Shah — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:19:53 GMT

I thought it'd be interesting to get Karunaprabha (the leader of this project in Pune) to share her thoughts about aspects of the project. She kindly answered a series of questions for me, which I'll be sharing with you in the next few weeks!

Question: What do you see as the biggest successes that you have seen in your work?

Answer:

1. First of all, our efforts mean that we've been successful in creating a supportive environment where the girls can build their self-esteem and confidence.

2. Another big change has been the fact they they all eat healthy food now, and they know about the impact of food on their well-being.

3. It's lovely to see them all interact with one another and make friends - so different to the isolation that many faced before.

4. A major step has been how girls are becoming financially empowered through having done vocational training.

5. The girls really are becoming agents in their own lives, participating in decision-making over issues that affect their own lives.

A message from Pranali

Jilna Shah — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:06:19 GMT

Pranali

A message to you, from Pranali

Name: Pranali Mahendra Khandagale.

Education: 10^th STD

Age: 15 years.

My Feelings:

Before joining life skill class I was very introverted and shy. I did not feel comfortable to go out of the house and mix with other girls.

After joining the class, I started to change as my confidence built up. My mother was very happy to see these positive changes in me. I really developed trust towards the people in my class and the Project. Every day I used to go to the class.

We girls all visited the orphanage home and felt very sad about the orphan children. We also visited the police station and bank to know how they function. We were happy to play, sing and come together in class.

I was very happy to participate in an adventure camp at Mumbai (Bombay-Karjat). For the first time in my life, I got opportunity to participate in such type of camp. I was very frightened at the time of crossing the valley but bit by bit I started to feel that I can do it - and I did it!

The Project will also be helpful for my future life, and now I feel that I can successfully come out from any obstacles and problematic situation in my life.

Thank You.

Changing minds

Jilna Shah — Mon, 30 May 2011 08:11:36 GMT

I read an article recently by UNICEF exactly about Adolescent Girls' Empowerment clubs in India. It made me understand that projects like ours are on the rise and are making real in-roads all throughout India. The article reaffirmed to me that if long-term poverty, inequality and gender discrimination are to be eradicated in India, the empowerment of adolescent girls is a necessity.

As UNICEF observed, 'early marriage can lead to a vicious cycle of gender discrimination, illiteracy and high infant and maternal mortality rates'. Girls thus find themselves trapped in a downward spiral of marginalization on multiple fronts. Here's the link to the article in case you're interested: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/india_58294.html

In my opinion, it's one of the many paradoxes of India that it has some of the most progressive and impressive acts of legislation in the world. For example, child marriage has long been outlawed, and there even exists the right to free and compulsory education of children to act as a buffer to this. The reality on the ground, however, is that there's often a lag between the law on paper and the attitudes and practices of people in society. Of course, this is a massive generalization and there are many exceptions to this. What I'm trying to say, though, is that gender equality remains an uphill struggle in India, which makes projects like ours even more vital.

We know that through this project, progress is being made, minds are being changed, and girls and their communities' are beginning to transcend the mindsets that have long kept girls confined to the house, restricted in accessing education and prone to early marriage.

I met Sonali's family when I visited the project in March (you may remember her, I shared her story with you). They had tried to arrange her marriage a few years ago to a boy that she had never met and against her will. They were at first adamant that she would be married. As Sonali grew in confidence thanks to the project activities and support from Karunaprabha and her team, she was able to resist and insist that she be allowed to continue her vocational training. She now has a job, is earning money independently and when I spoke with her parents they said that they were glad that they didn't get her married young and that they're proud of the life that Sonali has made for herself.

With your support, we can continue changing hearts and minds like this, to create a new generation of empowered and independent women in India.

I am courageous now

Jilna Shah — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:41:20 GMT

Jyoti

Jyoti's story shows how this project is slowly but surely creating a new generation of empowered young women -

Jyoti Tusamad, Aged 15 years (participant of Life Skills class)

One day Dr. Mune madam came to my house and gave information to my mother about the life skills class and asked her to send me to the class.

She teaches us about confidence - which factors affect our confidence. Through this class we have visited an orphanage. We felt very sad when we saw the condition of the children and infants there.

Through the bank visit we got information and the confidence to open a savings account in it. I can save money and also can withdraw money from my bank account.

We very much enjoyed the adventure camp at Mumbai (Bombay- at Karjat), especially the valley crossing which was very adventurous. We stayed there for two days.

We also learned about the menstruation cycle, and hygiene and how to take care of our body. I also participated in an environment camp arranged in our school and got to know many important things about the environment.

The life skill class has developed confidence in me, so much so that I decided to become a air hostess.

In the future I will oppose any kind of calamity or disaster in my life. I am courageous now.

The sky's the limit

Jilna Shah — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:14:47 GMT

Holding a blouse that she has sewn

When I was in India visiting the project, I got to speak to Shubanghi who has been going to sewing classes run by the project. I was quite amazed by how much impact learning this skill seemed to have had on her life. What remains strong in my mind is her drive and enthusiasm when she spoke about her ideas about the future.

Here is her story:

Name: Shubanghi Raju Diwar - beneficiary of women’s sewing class

Background

I started sewing classes six months ago and have completed the course now. When I started I had never earned any money in hand. I just relied on my husband all the time. One person’s money wasn’t enough. Karunaprabha came here and I came to know about the project. She said I could earn my own money and I wouldn’t have to pay fees to learn how to do this. I thought it was a good thing. My husband didn’t want me to leave the house - he wanted me to just stay home and look after the kids. But after I started to learn sewing and I could sew things, he liked it - he even helps me with it now! I taught him how to sew and he does it too! He comes home from work after 3, eats lunch and then he helps me with the sewing.

Thoughts about the future

Now I just want to take this further and further. I can do blouses now and I want to learn fashion design and doing dresses. I could open my own shop or work from home.

What has been the biggest change in your life since doing the sewing classes?

The biggest change has been that before I didn’t have the confidence or aspiration to do anything with my life. Now it’s changed and I want to do lots of new things.

Links:

Recent article on adolescent girls' clubs in India by UNICEF

'I can stand on my own two feet now'

Jilna Shah — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:58:34 GMT

I'm back at the Karuna office now in London and have just managed to go over my notes from my visit to the project. I was lucky enough to meet Sonali and her family at her home and she shared some of her experiences with me. I went with Karunaprabha, the leader of the project - she was very handy as my Hindi is not 100%!

For me, Sonali is real testimony to the possibility that can lie before girls like her. I hadn't quite understood how important skills training is for girls like her. In her case, it really does seem like a passport to a better, more meaningful life. Here is a short bit from the interview that I did with her -

What is the best thing about the WEP? (Women’s Empowerment Project)

The best thing about the project is all the information that we get about so many important issues. We get good exposure to the outside world. I can stand on my own two feet now and feel financially empowered. Now I even have a job, I work in a mall – I do billing work.

[Karunaprabha tells me that she never used to speak up and was chronically shy two years ago. Now she is cheery and confident]

What are your hopes for the future?

My hopes now are to do something for my whole family, to make their experience of life better and to do something for myself. After the life-skills course, my confidence has just turned around. I can communicate really well with customers now. My hopes for the project now are that they could run new classes for vocational training and more advanced computer and life skills classes.

I also got to visit one of the life skills classes and see how that works in reality - probably the highlight of my visit to the project. I loved how informal and comfortable the set-up was, which is reflected in how at ease and relaxed the girls appeared. So from what I learnt, the whole idea behind these classes are to give the girls a safe space in which to bring up and explore all sorts of issues in their lives - I mean all sorts, ranging from things like learning new hairstyles and talking about the latest Bollywood films to sharing experiences about domestic violence within the home.

I asked the girls if any of them wanted to share any reflections that they had about the life skills classes. Here is some of what they came up with:

‘I love coming to class, especially when they take us on trips to places like the bank and the police’

‘If any girl has a problem, we can all talk about it together and help them. It’s really good to share things’

‘Here we can talk about things that we couldn’t talk about with our parents’

‘I like coming here and meeting new people. We do loads of things, like we teach other new hairstyles and personal hygiene’.

‘We don’t get to play at home at all, but here we get to play and be playful’

‘I have confidence in life now just from meeting people from here’

Attachments:

My first visit to Vishrantwadi

Jilna Shah — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 05:08:57 GMT

I’ve just got back a few hours ago from my first visit to the project in Vishrantwadi. Wow. Reading about it on paper and seeing it on the ground in action are two very different things. I just wanted to share my feelings, as I’ll write a more detailed report and share the stories of the girls that I met when I get back to our Karuna office in London.

Up until now, I never fully experienced how limited the life choices of the girls involved in the project are. Most of them live in the slums of Vishrantwadi, and many don’t even attend school. I met many girls who used to go and now don’t go. Having said that, I also met girls who have re-enrolled at school since being part of the life Skills classes that the project runs. For many of the girls, even obtaining permission from their parents to attend activities such as computer classes or life skills training has been an uphill struggle. Some parents remain under the assumption that to invest in the development of girls in this way is futile. Karunaprabha, the leader of this project, and her formidable stuff are key in helping to overcome this barrier. It is clear that over the years that the project has been running they have gained the trust of many in the communities in which they are working in. Through open conversation they are often able to convince reluctant parents to let their girls attend classes.

I was lucky to be able to see many activities today – I saw the computer and sewing classes in action, watched an awareness-raising street play on anaemia, a rally by girls against child marriage and I met with one of the life skills class groups. I also did two visits to the homes of beneficiaries, one from the sewing class and one from the life skills group. I was really humbled by the work that is going on – how hard the women leading the project work and their capacity for empathy, but also the enthusiasm and zeal with which the girls engage. I had underestimated the impact that this project is having in transforming the lives of the girls; not only this, but the role that this project is playing in creating a new generation of empowered women in India.

Attachments:

Me (in red) with girls from life skills class (DOCX)

Realising the reality of Empowerment

Jilna Shah — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:20:00 GMT

The reality

I know that I take the level of control that I have over my own life for granted. For me, it’s not the absence of options, but having too much choice that’s often the problem.

I find it difficult to imagine what it must be like to have no choice, to have your future pre-determined in some way.

Let’s take a look at this:

Scenario One:

No formal schooling. Low self-esteem. Poor communication skills.

Likely end result on an individual level:

Married under 18. Domestic violence. Poor health.

Likely end result on a broader level:

Strengthening of discriminatory values towards women in society. Propelling this cycle for future generations to come.

This is the cycle that many adolescent girls in Pune’s urban slums find themselves trapped in. Lacking formal competencies and not knowing how to realise their fundamental legal rights, these girls are among the most marginalised in Indian society. The Right to Freedom is longstanding in India, yet this has remained a paper tiger for many of these adolescent girls. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Through the work of the Women’s Empowerment Project, things are changing.

Let’s look at this alternative scenario:

Scenario Two:

Essential life skills. Vocational skills training. Statutory rights awareness. Hygiene and nutrition training.

Likely end result on an individual level:

Confidence and an appreciation of self-worth. Financial autonomy. Improved long-term health and reduction in maternal and neonatal mortalities due to poor nutrition.

Likely end result on a broader level:

Positive changes in societal attitudes towards adolescent girls. More girls living with dignity and respect. Improved lives of many young girls who will become the women and mothers of the future.

The Empowerment Project has already gone a considerable way to making this scenario a reality. Here are just a few ways how it has been doing this:

Helping others to help themselves

Many of the adolescent girls that this project works with have appeared resigned to the prospects of their not-so-bright futures. It needs to be clear though, that this doesn’t indicate a wilful acceptance of their ‘lot’. On the contrary it has stemmed from a deeply-entrenched sense of fatalism in many cases. This is changing, however.

This project has been empowering girls by successfully equipping them with essential life-skills. Economic empowerment has been a real area of success:

A corporation bank has made provisions for the girls to open a saving accounts, allowing for this to happen at zero balance. Many girls are taking advantage of this initiative and experience a sense of pride and security from doing so.
60 girls visited a bank on an orientation visit and were trained in vital finance management skills.
A total of 248 girls have taken part in vocational training in the areas of IT training and/or fashion design and tailoring. Many girls are now earning their own money and are less dependent on others for their livelihoods.

And here’s what all this has meant in practice for Shilpa –

Before I could not even talk in group and used to feel shy to interact with people. I had very low confidence within me but now I feel I have a very bright future. I got confidence that now I can earn money by stitching clothes in my own business, no need of doing domestic work. - Shilpa Jagnaath Pawale, Vishrantwadi

From ignorance to agency

The maxim that ‘ignorance is bliss’ doesn’t really ring true in this case. In fact, knowledge is often the vital ingredient that can transform the sense of powerlessness experienced at an individual level to one of agency. Much of the work of the Women’s Empowerment Group has centred on breaking the taboos that are prevalent in conservative and patriarchal Indian society

Helping girls to access information so that they can make informed choices has been crucial, as has their being well-versed in issues directly impeding their health and safety has been crucial:

Health awareness initiatives have included training sessions on personal hygiene, healthcare camps related to Cancer awareness and anatomy training. Girls involved now have a greater understanding of changes in their physical well-being and feel more able to respond appropriately.
Expert sessions on sexual abuse and self-defence training have been run. There is now an increased feeling of safety among these girls as they are able to respond actively to the threat of violent situations in the home.
There has been a lecture on the Domestic Violence prevention Act (2005) and an orientation visit to a local police station. This has meant that these girls are now aware of their legislative rights and are better situated to invoke these protections.

Here’s a glimpse of the impact that these initiatives are having –

I attended sex education through which we came to so many things regarding body changes as well as physiological changes during adolescent age. Nowhere we get such information but this project is giving and helping us to cope with the situation. - Komal, Bhimnagar

All for one and one for all

It is routinely the case that attempts at realising progressive change encounters resistance from key stakeholders. In the case of this particular project, attempts at change have often come up against deeply-entrenched attitudes on perceptions of both caste and gender roles. This makes it all the more important to build and sustain relationships in the broader community that foster understanding and support for the cause. One of the major strengths of this project to date has been the level of harmony and co-operation witnessed between various stakeholders. This impact, although not lending itself to quantification ought not to be underestimated:

Previously resistant parents are giving permission for their daughters to participate actively in vocational training workshops and visits to key societal institutions such as police stations. Having the backing of parents as central stakeholders in the empowerment of girls adds to its perceived acceptability and the overall legitimacy of the project.
The project has been enjoying the support of many local community and political groups. For example, the Mahila Mandal and local youth groups have been engaging with the project. It is well-understood that broad local support makes for meaningful community change.
26 teachers from government schools have been trained in the area of girls’ empowerment by experts in the social field. This has led to the increased confidence, capacity and co-operation of local school teachers.

Looking ahead

A huge thank you for your generous donations that have been turning the vision of empowered adolescent girls into a reality. In particular we’ve seen donations coming in more and more since our last update, which is just great. I hope that you find this update useful and can share in our joy at the changes taking place on the ground.

As ever though, a lot of work remains to be done in order to maintain the momentum that has been built up so far. So please continue to give what you can and also to raise awareness about this critical cause.

If you have any feedback or any specific questions about the project then I would love to hear from you.

Many thanks again.

Girjia's gratitude

Jilna Shah — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:09:04 GMT

A recent testimonial from Girjia, one of the many girls reaping the benefits of this project:

Name: Girjia Hosmani, 22 years old.

Community: Burma cell

I am Girija staying at Burma cell. My personality is somewhat introverted. I never shared or opened myself up in front of anybody before I joined this life skill class. Side by side I have completed my computer class as well. Though I am an elder in the class, I feel ok because I am getting good knowledge about how to lead my life independently. I would like to share my testimony. I have come from a poor family and I have a big number of family members. We don’t get a proper diet. I used to feel giddy and sometimes tiredness but I ignored it all the time. One day the Women’s Empowerment Project (WEP) ran a programme of free haemoglobin (HB) check-up and I had one myself.

Dr. Mune told me that my HB is only 6, whilst the minimum normal level is 12. She gave me information on looking after my diet and gave me medicines. From that day I decided to look after my own diet. I took medicines and it helps me to improve my HB level.

I am very much grateful to the WEP and send my warm thanks.

"I dare!"

Steven Murdoch — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:31:32 GMT

Hi,

I am very pleased to report that thanks to your generosity, we have now raised over $1,000 for girls living in very difficult circumstances in slums in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Please be assured that your donation is having a dramatic impact. It would not be an overstatement to say that this project is life changing for the girls who come into contact with it.

One such girl is Archana, who tells us her story:

I dare!

“I am Archana staying at Burma cell (slum in Pune). I have 3 sisters and 4 brothers.

My father is a farmer. We have chili machine, mother look after that machine. She grinds chili and prepares gravy masala (spice) and is earning money.

After my tenth (aged 16) mother asked me not to go for school. I was told to be at home and learn household activity. Parents were worried about my marriage.

One day guests came to see me. They proposed me for marriage. In our community girls are not allowed to see bridegroom. Quietly I greed all that told by parents. And I got engagement with him. He was 8th pass (aged 14) and was at home. I was realizing my future is blank. I was so sad to whom to concern, to whom to ask? One day I went for women`s empowerment life skill class.

On this day Manisha Tai and Smita Tai (project community workers) were discussing on topic of decision making with girls. I got struck. I did not sleep whole night.

Next morning as soon as Manisha entered in our community I rushed to her and told about my tragedy. She gave me emotional support.

I got a kind of daring within me. Finally I dare to break my engagement with whom I was not at all happy. I got relief. Now I am happy. I have finished my sewing machine class and have join computer class. I thank to you all and to Dr. Manda Mune (project leader) and to all women`s empowerment project staff and wish my best luck.”

Thank you for your generous and ongoing support. I hope you find this partnership valuable and worthwhile. I know the economy is tough, so thank you for investing your hard-earned money on our cause.

Please consider telling your friends and family about our project - share the link on your blogs or social networks, use the tell-a-friend feature on the project page to email your network, or just bring us up in conversation. You know your friends and family best so use your own words - tell them why you chose our project and what it means to you.

If you have any feedback I would love to hear from you. In the meantime I will continue to send stories from the girls whose lives you are helping to improve. Thank you again for all you have done to help this cause.

Yours,

Steven Murdoch

Thanks from girls of Pune. You're creating good!

Steven Murdoch — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:19:27 GMT

Nilam

Hi,

I am writing to say thanks so much for all your support in allowing this project to go ahead. Your generosity is helping adolescent girls have a voice, gain confidence and escape the poverty of slums in Pune, Maharashtra. Contrary to popular perception, Maharashtra is one of India’s poorest states, behind only Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. An Economic survey (2004-05) released by the Maharashtra Planning Commission revealed the poverty ratio in the state is 30.7 per cent. If this figure were measured by international methods on disposable income (living on less than USD $1.25, per person, per day), the figure would be nearer 50%.

You’re helping young women such as Nilam Shinde (21) who joined the project in March. Nilam lives in a slum district of Pune known as Tingare Nagar. Nilam tells us her story:

“ I am Nilam staying at Tingare Nagar. First of all greetings to all. My father is rickshaw driver and mother is a housemaid. I have one brother. He is studying. After my 10th (standard) I was at home, use to help my mother. I was jobless due to my education and was unskilled.

One day I came to know about women’s empowerment project and its vocational training. I went to office and took admission.

With my full of attention I learn everything whatever thought by my teacher. After completing my course I got job as a computer operator in Yerwda (district of Pune). Now I am getting 5,000 rupees (USD $100 per month) of salary. I am really happy that because of this project I am here and earning money.

I am really grateful to you for your kindness. I too am thankful to Karunaprabha (project leader) and her team and wish her the best to do best for women like me who are really in need. Thanking you."

Nilam Thanks again so much for your generosity. This is one of our most successful project, thanks to the dedication of a locally recruited social work team of women who know these communities and the girls’ needs. Please do spread the word. Many thanks.

Steven Murdoch

Update on Shivani and Preeti

Robert Beard — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:56:49 GMT

Computer Training

The following project update is from some of the beneficiaries. It lets us know some of the activities that people have been engaged in and how this has been of help.

1) Testimonial Name of beneficiaries: - Shivani Dhende Name of community: - Shanti Nagar

I am a student living in the slum of Shanti Nagar with my mother and grandmother. The name of the project were involved with is ‘Women`s Empowerment.’ I have attended life skills classes every day and enjoy the activities very much. My teacher Mrs Manisha Pathole has imparted a lot of practical knowledge on how to face various problems which has given me confidence to face them. I visited a bank to find out about bank accounts and how to open one and also a police station to find out about making reports if we need to. I also learnt to swim in a place called sang am which I enjoyed the most. Our group name is jagruti-jagruti which means the knowledge we have and that which we get. I have gone for Wenledo which is self defense training in a place called Shramik Vasahat. Our project director brought Teachers from other places they came to teach us specialist knowledge. One teacher whose name was Preeti taught us meditation. She told us that when we have a serious problem or tension we can use meditation to help us feel some relief, even just 5 minutes of meditation. Another Teacher Dr Manda Mune gave us information regarding our body and its health. My teacher Mrs Manisha Pothole taught us that we should always be neat and tidy and practice Hygiene. This has helped me a lot. I’m thankful to the ‘Women`s Empowerment’ project`s team for their guidance and feel very lucky to have such positive influence at the start of my life.

2) Testimonial Name of beneficiaries: - preeti subhash Jadhav Name of community: - Burma cell

I am Preeti Subhash Jadhav and live in Burmacell with my parents. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother. In the community in which I live girls don’t have a strong Identity. We don’t have rights to take our own decisions. We have a high rate of gender discrimination with a girl seen as a burden for the parents. If a boy makes a mistake no one cares but if a girl does she’s punish. When the Women`s Empowerment Project came to our community many parents protested. Dr Manda Mune the project director handled it gently and communicated the importance of the life skills classes. Now even more girls have started coming for classes since the project is now seen to help girls to progress. The project has arranged various activities for the girls, to learn about computers for instance. Mrs Manisha Kharat taught us about nutritious food as well as how to communicate with our elders. We learnt mehendi which is henna art, and also got Wenledo training which is for self defence. I learnt to swim in sang am and that experience was really great. Now difficulties in day to day life are more manageable. Also we have kishori panchayat, youth leadership, and my group name is Magic Group. We arrange various community activities for instance we maintain clean Boudh Vihar every Saturday. The magic group is also arranging street plays that address our communities’ problems to raise awareness in the whole community; for instance girls that are being married at around 7 years of age. Thanks to the women`s empowerment project team we have learnt to fight against bad practices. 3) Parents testimonial Name of parents:-Shobha Raju bachute Name of community: - Bhimnagar Age: - 32

I am Shobha and my daughters name is Komal. I can honestly say that now I am observing my daughter she is changed. Use to give back answer and I was worried about her. Now she is listening to me and behaving like a mature child. I am greatly thankful to women`s empowerment project team.

3) Parents testimonial Name of parent:-savita manic sonawne Name of community: - Bhim nagar Age: - 45

I am Savita and my daughter name is Vidya. Before she was not talking frankly to anybody. Now she is doing her work in time. I observe her she is speaking confidently I am very happy about her. Thanks to women`s empowerment project.

Learning to Swim

Health and the Human Body