Give GIRLS in India a CHANCE at life

Dear Donor,

The project activities during this quarter were conducted at different levels which apart classroom sessions, included starting of a Resource Center and Streelink Program. We also had an amazing Story of Change.

Breakthrough Resource Center:

Our field team members in Sonipat started a center to handhold adolescent’s girls from vulnerable communities in their studies post-school time. Initially there were only 3 girls who used to attend these classes but now this number has reached 52. This month their parents came to center and appreciated the initiative and acknowledged that center is very helpful for their kids. They shared their aspiration for higher education for their daughters which is many times suppressed due to community pressure. These people belong to socially and economically vulnerable communities. These adolescents do not have resource to invest in their studies, but they are full of energy and aspiration. They are very keen to learn things and complete their work. This group emerged as an adolescent support group for each other and living the Slogan-Teri Jeet-Meri Jeet.

Highlight from Streelink Program

This time we have introduced a game stall on Menstrual Hygiene Management in the Mela(fair) on 28^th April 2019. We were not sure whether men will participate or not. To our surprise all the men spoke about the same openly, asked questions and said once they go back home they will share with their partners what they have learnt. Some of them also said next time when they will buy sanitary pads from shop and if the shop keeper wraps it up with anything, they will take on the discussion to break the taboo with the shop manager too. 

Another thing we were exploring from last 2 years was to conduct eye check camp in the factory premises. With the management support, team to 6 doctors and support staff from our network collaborated and conducted the camp. Approximately 120 workers were screened in this camp, medicines and spectacles were also provided.

Nityam Story to challenge Discrimination:

After being associated with Taaron Ki Toli, there has been a visible change in the children’s understanding of viewing gender. They have not only become aware of the discrimination that happens in the community but they are also trying to end discrimination by challenging it in their sphere of life.

One such story is shared by Nityam (name changed), a class VIII student of village Kassar, Jhajjar, who spoke about a girl in his neighbourhood who stays in house and never comes out to play and neither is she sent to school. Nityam felt that this was highly discriminatory.

Nityam went and spoke to the girl’s uncle and aunt as her parents were away from home, initially they resisted talking to him but slowly Nityam managed to have a dialogue with them, telling them about the rights of the girl child. They were impressed with his knowledge and confidence and promised that they will speak to her parents about her admission in school once they are back. Nitaym shared that he got this courage after being associated with Breakthrough’s program Taaron Ki Toli in school. Today the girl has been enrolled in School, which is the first step in her long journey.

This all work we have been able to do is from supporters like YOU. We can't thank you enough for the same and please feel free to write to us if you have any query or concern.

Thanks and Regards,

Aman Chhabra.