By Rajshree Rathore | Head of Educational Services & Vol. Coordinator
Dear Sambhali Friends and Supporters,
The past few months in Jodhpur have been successful, with numerous events and exciting new projects focused on our mission to empower women and children.Let's take a closer look at the recent happenings at Sambhali that were made possible through your incredible support.
Let’s begin with the special events organized during these four months.
First, on June 8, we celebrated our third LGBTQ+ pride parade, focusing on the theme of equality and acceptance. This parade was a vibrant celebration of diversity, unity, love and brought together people from all around the city.
Another event that took place shortly after was, onJune 21, the International Yoga Day. We celebrated it with workshops highlighting yoga's benefits for our community. At Sambhali Trust, Yoga is an integral part of our empowerment initiatives, helping our community find balance, strength, and inner peace.
Further, in August, we celebrated Teej festival. This cherished festival, celebrating the monsoon and marriage, was joyfully observed by girls from our boarding homes and participants of the Garima Project. These events highlight our commitment to community, culture, and empowering women for a brighter future.
In September, we were honored to welcome Mr. Stewart Wheeler, ambassador of Canada, to inaugurate our new project Sambhali Sarai in the old town of Jodhpur. Mr. Wheeler's presence underscored the importance of international collaboration in our mission, inspiring us to continue making a positive impact in the lives of those we support.
We were also happy to welcome the team from Hairdressers Without Borders, who conducting vocational training workshops for the participants of our Garima project that support the LGBTQIA+ community. These workshops helped them learn new skills and build confidence.
Finally, we celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27, where the participants of the Garima Project showcased a unique performance. This celebration not only raised awareness about the importance of inclusivity in tourism but also provided a platform for participants to share their stories and talents, giving them a new opportunity to express themselves.
Now let's talk about how our projects are going.
First and foremost, Sambhali continues to work to provide an education to the girls of the Thar desert through our 3 boarding homes. These homes are a shelter for girls in elementary and high school, as well as for young women in university to receive quality education, free meals, lodging, daily tutoring, computer training and self-defense classes.
In June, most of the girls went home for summer vacation. In July, the girls returned to school with excitement, and around fifteen new girls joined the boarding home. Seven younger girls were enrolled at Galaxy School, while three older girls went to Badalchand School. The girls received new books and uniforms. In August, some of the students completed Unit I tests and participated in the Rs-Cit exam.
These months, many workshops were conducted covering a variety of topics like:
- Raising awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and strategies to prevent it.
- Encouraging teamwork among the girls to improve collaboration and productivity.
- Discussing mental health issues and promoting well-being.
- Teaching mindfulness practices to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and improve mental health.
- Learning how to build a personal or business brand through online platforms.
- Focusing on women's empowerment through decision-making and equal access to opportunities.
Also, a visitor from the USA, Aashumi Shah, led a Mirasa Design workshop, where the girls learned to create new colors and received gifts like stickers and art supplies
Here some updates about the girls’ success: Sumitra passed 12th grade and started college, Manisha became a computer tutor, and Lalita, Leela, and Ashu began teaching in their villages. Pooja also returned and applied for her second-semester exams.
Next, let’s move on to an update on our other projects.
Currently, 8 Empowerment Centers operate in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Setrawa, welcoming 240 women and 280 children daily for academic classes and vocational training, promoting independence and personal growth. Our training centers empower underprivileged women through skills development and community support. The Trust also provides a helpline, shelter, counseling, and medical aid. Witnessing these women wear their self-made clothes is a joyful celebration of their journey and achievements.
As part of the Samarth program, Sambhali launched a new project named Sambhali Sarai, a refuge in Jodhpur for women and gender minorities who are survivors of domestic violence, symbolizing hope and resilience. The Trust also continued its door-to-door outreach in Jodhpur, informing communities about its services.
Through the Sambhali Shiksha program, dedicated to the children, we are excited to announce our support for the Government Primary School, Udavaton Ki Dhani, Viramdeogarh, Setrawa, as part of our mission to improve the quality of education. We were able to donate several items as chairs, fans, printers, tables and notice boards, to enhance the learning environment of the local children.
Finally, in June, July, and August, three successful e-Services camps were organized in Setrawa and Jaisalmer, providing services to the local community like Aadhar cards, E-Mitra, and health cards. These camps reached 165 women and 224 men in Viramdeogarh and Setrawa, and 52 people in Jaisalmer, bridging the digital gap and empowering rural communities.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our activities from June to September. We sincerely thank you for your support in uplifting marginalized women, children, and LGBTQIA+ individuals in Rajasthan. Your belief in Sambhali’s mission means the world to us, and we’re excited to share our progress in our next report, as our calendar is already brimming with upcoming events and projects.
With your continued support, we can expand our initiatives and reach even more individuals in need. Please consider making a donation to help us sustain and grow these impactful projects. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.
With much love and regards from the Blue City, Jodhpur
Sambhali Trust
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By Rajshree Rathore | Head of Educational Services
By Rajshree Rathore | Head of Educational Services
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