Empower 5000 drop out Adolescent Girls in Lucknow

It has been my pleasure to visit the Saloni Model of the Sarathi Development Foundation. Currently working in 400 slums in the City of Lucknow, the impact is widespread in every community they work in. Not only are the adolescent girls impacted by the knowledge they are gaining, but their families are supporting the steps they are taking to improve their own health and the community around them.

Young girls, who were once afraid to leave their homes and were very shy are now making friends and openly expressing themselves to their peers and elders. These young adults are now holding meetings in the public and speaking openly about family planning, child marriage, self-esteem, and sanitation. All thirty young women who participated and met at the Community Resource Centers are taking iron supplements for their previously undiagnosed anemia and are all up to date on vaccinations. Ten young adults who had once dropped out of school, are now returning to their studies, despite the shame that she had once felt in returning to school. Many of the girls voiced that they want to wait until age 18 or later to get married and they are encouraging their families to construct separate hand-washing facilities in their homes. Many of the participants in this center have enrolled in vocational training courses in garment making, embroidery and beauty, in addition to their education.

These young ladies have gained such pride and have become key stakeholders of their community. In addition, the physical environment of the slum in which they live is changing as they are advocating for greater government resources.

It was a pleasure to sit in unison with these young ladies and the community volunteers who lead the learning and empowerment trainings at the Community Resource Centers.

 This work is of utmost importance and I could not be more supportive!