Engage&Empower girls & boys for Girl Effect-India

Dear friends  ,

Merry X'mas & Happy New Year from IDEA Team

We are thankful for your donation and support for our project.

We are here again with some of the important activities we have held under our project to empower the girl child. Corporate volunteers too joined hands with us in planning, organizing and implementing these activities. They have also supported us to meet the funding gap to  run these activities , which are mentioned below:-

1. 1.      Skill Development through Craft & Art classes  .

We run craft & art classes in 6 slum locations in Pune , teaching young girls in many products based on the current demands in the market, including  Paper bags, jelly candles, mehendi, greeting cards, pen stand, painting diya’s and jewelry work.  Around 115 girls are enrolled in these centers at present.

Apart from the classes conducted by our resource persons, a few volunteers from Persistent Systems Ltd taught them attractive greeting cards using waste materials !

1. 2.      Participation in NGO fairs and exhibitions

In India the months of October and November are considered as festival months as Dassehra & Deepavali- the important festivals are celebrated during these months. Many Trusts and Corporate houses provide opportunities for women’s group & NGOs by organizing NGO fairs and exhibitions . IDEA utilized this opportunity for the benefit of women and young girls who have been trained under the ‘craft & art classes’ . We received huge response and most of the items prepared by women sold out within a couple of days in these exhibitions. This was a huge morale booster for our girls !

1. 3.      Skill Development through vocational training .

IDEA has been running vocational courses to provide a second chance to the drop out youths. , in this year so far 55 girls completed a beauty parlor course ; 34 girls have found employment while others are self employed. Another 53 girls are currently undergoing training in various vocations like Basic Nursing , Retail marketing and Beauty parlor . 6 students completed a course on retail marketing and will be joining a well known mall in Pune after their college examination.

1. 4.      Life skills education through exposure visits

Life skill education is imparted to adolescent girls & boys by us on a monthly basis. In the month of October ,  IDEA organized  visits for  the girls to widen their awareness level  and to get a  practical Experience. The visit places are mentioned below:

1. 1.      A Police Station to know the functioning of the station and the role of policemen.
2. 2.      Bank & Post office- to learn the functioning of both the important services . 

1. 5.      First aid Awareness to young mothers.

In association with our Corporate partner-Vodafone , a session on awareness and demonstration on First aid at home and before getting medical support  was given to young mothers. Household remedies for minor illnesses like cold and cough, dysentery and dehydration management were also told to women in a slum on 25^th Oct 2012. A question and answer session was followed by this session. The participants were provided with a First Aid Box containing antiseptic cream and solution, Pain reliever cream, cotton, bandage etc.  The demonstration and power point presentation helped young mothers to understand the topic better. 

1. 6.      Enhancing English Language skills through discussion forums

A few volunteers from Persistent Systems are involved with IDEA in imparting English lessons to young boys and girls . The sessions which are very interactive in nature are held on Saturdays.

We have initiated this project with the twin objectives of improving the English language skills of the youngsters studying in Marathi medium schools as well as to equip them with knowledge on current issues related to their life . Sessions on Right To Education Act ,Right to Information Act  ,Career guidance , gender issues, life skills etc  are being held by experts and the children  debate on these issues  freely in the next two or three sessions, facilitated by volunteers / staff from IDEA.

An Appeal :

Dear friends, we express our sincere thanks to you for supporting this project.

We need regular funds to implement the activities. Throughout the entire month of December, Global Giving is matching all new monthly recurring donations 100% up to $100 per donor. So here is a chance to double the impact of your donation!