Educating the Girls of The Indian Thar Desert

Report: March 2023 - June 2023

Introduction: We are pleased to present the report for the period of March 2023 to June 2023. During this time, Sambhali Trust conducted various awareness and distribution programs, empowering women and children across different centers. Our efforts focused on education, skill development, empowerment, and creating awareness about social issues. We are grateful for the support and blessings we have received, enabling us to make a positive impact in the lives of women and children.

Key Highlights:

1. International Women's Day Awareness Rally: On March 16, 2023, we organized an awareness rally advocating for the rights of women, especially those who are oppressed and less fortunate. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from women across our projects.

2. Distribution of Sewing Machines and Scholarships: With your support, we distributed 356 sewing machines and 235 scholarships to the women and children of Sambhali Trust. This initiative aimed to empower women with a valuable skill and provide educational opportunities for their children.

3. International Transgender Visibility Day: We collaborated with the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Kanta Bhua, the Head of Transgenders, to celebrate International Transgender Visibility Day. This event aimed to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for the transgender community.

4. Assistance during G20 Summit: We had the honor of assisting the Municipal Board during the G20 summit in Jodhpur. Our team's efforts were recognized and felicitated by Jodhpur's District Administration for beautifying Shaheed Tarachand Circle.

5. Global Edu Icon Award: We are delighted to share that we received the 'Global Edu Icon' at the Global Edu Icon of the Year 2022-2023 Rendezvous with Excellence Personified held on April 29, 2023, in New Delhi. This award recognized our outstanding contributions and impact in the field of education.

6. International Visit: Honorable Mr. Tariq Mahmood Ahmad a British businessman and a conservative life peer. He was appointed Minister of State for commonwealth and Development office from UK visited Sambhali trust.

7. Pride Parade: Women from the center participated in the Pride Parade organized by the Garima project, showing support for LGBTQ+ pride, acceptance, and equality.

8. Transgenders Camps: Camp was organized by the trust for the transgenders to help them out to get their Transgender ID cards, Voter ID cards, Ration Cards, Aadhar Card, Pan card, also to link them with Chiranjivi Yojana.

Boarding Homes:

During the months of March, April, May, and June 2023, the girls at the boarding home experienced a series of enriching activities and opportunities. They celebrated cultural festivals like Holi and Sheetlashtmi, performed well in exams with the help of dedicated tutors, and eagerly awaited their transition to a new school. The boarding home organized awareness programs on child marriage, conducted workshops on inspiring figures like Malala Yousafzai and topics like gender equality and sports careers. There were enjoyable get-togethers, welcoming new admissions from diverse backgrounds, and engaging extracurricular activities such as embroidery and dance. The girls also had the privilege of interacting with distinguished visitors, including Lord Tariq Mohammad Ahmed, who showed genuine interest in their aspirations. They went on a summer break to spend time with family and friends and would return in June to prepare for the school reopening, having gained cultural appreciation, academic support, and personal growth along the way.

Empowerment Centers (ECs) and Primary Education Centers (PEC)

We are pleased to present the report of our Empowerment Centers (ECs) and Primary Education Centers (PEC) activities. Our commitment to empowering women and providing quality education to underprivileged individuals has continued to make a positive impact. The following is a summary of the activities and achievements from this period:

Empowerment Centers (ECs):

Sewing Skills:

The students at the ECs have shown great enthusiasm in learning embroidery work and various stitching techniques. They have acquired skills in running stitch, back stitch, tata chain satin stitch, mirror work, lazy daisy, and long and short stitch. In addition, they have learned cuts, knot tying, body measurements, and paper cutting techniques. The medium and advanced classes have expanded their knowledge of stitching and have successfully prepared different types of garments using electric machines.

Education:

Despite challenges such as low attendance, dropouts, and new admissions, our dedicated teachers have successfully bridged the knowledge gap for new students. The Hindi classes focused on spelling, fruits, pet names, opposite words, and body parts. The English classes covered the alphabet, pronunciation, verbs, pronouns, and sentence formation. The math classes included counting, addition, subtraction, tables, and their use in multiplication and division.

Self-Defense Class:

Our self-defense classes, conducted twice a week, have empowered women to be prepared for physical attacks. Through partner exercises, the women have learned various self-defense techniques such as grip kicks, face kicks, grip hand control, and neck hold defense. This class has been highly enjoyable for the participants.

Self-Help Group:

The Self-Help Group members have actively contributed their monthly installments and are diligently saving for future lending opportunities. The group aims to provide financial support to its members with a low-interest rate of 1%.

Primary Education Centers (PEC):

In the Hindi classes at the Primary Education Centers (PECs), students learned the alphabet, two and three-letter words, and four-letter words. They also revised body parts, days of the week, and colors, and practiced paragraph writing and writing applications. The English classes focused on upper and lowercase alphabets for beginners, while the advanced group delved into complex nouns, pronouns, verbs, and sentence formation. Pronunciation was aided by flashcards, and tutors provided exam preparation assistance. In math classes, students practiced numbers, addition, subtraction, Roman numerals, shapes, and telling time. The advanced group tackled multiplication and larger addition and subtraction problems.

Computer Class:

Our NGO recognizes the significance of technology in today's world. To help students adapt and thrive in this digital era, we have introduced computer science education from June 2023 onwards. By equipping them with essential skills and knowledge, we aim to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in various domains. Computer classes were held twice a week at each centre, teaching students computer basics, including operating laptops, using the mouse pointer, hardware and software knowledge, and an introduction to MS Word and MS Paint.

Activities and Workshops (for PEC and EC):

Every Saturday, various activities are organized, including games, handicraft work, dance, music, and mehndi (henna). Several workshops were conducted during this period to educate and raise awareness among women. Topics covered included international Labor Day, Harappan Civilization, Juvenile Justice, emergency ambulance services, rainwater harvesting, child labor prevention, World Blood Donor Day, and International Yoga Day. These workshops aimed to empower individuals and encourage active participation.

Special Comments:

- Center Closure: The center was closed from June 22nd to June 30th for the summer break holidays.

- Volunteers visited the centers taught and conducted workshops with women and children and they showed enthusiasm for learning.

- Tutor Workshops: Tutors attended workshops on problem-solving and collegial consultation, enhancing their skills and knowledge.

We are proud of the progress made by the participants in our Boarding Homes, ECs and PECs. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and desire to learn have been commendable. We extend our gratitude to the teachers, tutors, and volunteers who have played a crucial role in making these programs successful.

We thank our donors and supporters for their continued belief in our mission to empower individuals and provide quality education. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of these women and children.

For more information and updates, please visit our website.